Cholesterol gets a bad reputation, but we actually need it in our blood for our bodies to work properly. However, when Cholesterol levels are too high, it can stick to the walls of the arteries, causing blockages. This increases your risk of heart disease.
How can I treat high cholesterol?
High Cholesterol can be treated with medicine, but there are also several lifestyle changes that can help to keep it under control. A healthy diet, regular exercise, and weight management all help to lower Cholesterol.
What diet changes can I make?
A diet change is one of the easiest ways to keep Cholesterol under control, as well as overall health benefits.
- Choose healthy fats. Not all fats are bad. Avoid saturated and trans fats, but healthy fats found in foods like lean meat and nuts won’t raise your Cholesterol.
- Eat soluble fiber. Soluble fiber helps your digestive tract to not absorb as much Cholesterol. Try foods like whole-grain cereals, fruits, and legumes.
- Get your five a day. Fruit and vegetables increase Cholesterol lowering compounds in your diet, so make sure you eat plenty of them.
- Eat fish with Omega-3 fatty acids. This can boost your good Cholesterol levels, without contributing to the bad kind. Try to eat fish with high Omega-3, such as salmon or tuna, twice a week.
- Limit salt. Salt is a big factor in heart disease, so watch out for sneakily added salt in your food and cook with less salt at home.
- Limit alcohol. Alcohol is a big factor in weight gain, which increases your risk of heart problems. Know your limits and keep drinking aware.
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