Get a Grip on Lowering Your Cholesterol through Prevention and Treatment



What Is Cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a substance located in all human cells,
having a wax-like texture and appearance.

Good cholesterol is needed for your body to function properly; and your body makes all the you’ll require. It is used for hormone production, substances to help you digest food properly, and for making Vitamin D.

Cholesterol can also be found in many fatty foods. Consuming
these fatty foods is what causes some folks to suffer from high cholesterol.

Its Composition



LDL stands for low-density lipoprotein. Your LDL is the “bad” type of cholesterol. This is the one which causes heart disease.HDL stands for high-density lipoprotein. Your HDL is the “good” type of cholesterol.

Excessive LDL in your blood is a serious concern and can lead to cardiovascular disease. High blood cholesterol is a huge problem since it doesn’t cause any symptoms by itself. This is why many folks are unaware of their condition. A blood test ordered by your physician is the only way to detect cholesterol levels in your body.

The Facts

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) present:

In 2015-2016, more than 12% of adults age 20 and older had total cholesterol levels higher than 240 mg/dL, and more than 18% had HDL (good cholesterol) less than 40 mg/dL.55% of U.S. adults (43 million) who could benefit from cholesterol medicine are currently taking it.95 million U.S. adults age 20 or older have total cholesterol levels higher than 200 mg/dL. Nearly 29 million adult Americans have total cholesterol levels higher than 240 mg/dL.7% of U.S. children and adolescents ages 6 to 19 have high total cholesterol.



Prevention

Given these facts, you may be wondering, “What are the best
ways to prevent high cholesterol?”

There are many things you can do to lower your total level. Although it’s not an exhaustive list, let’s review some of these methods. Here are some diet and lifestyle changes you can make to prevent further issues.

4 Ways to Lower Your Levels



Your weight is a factor. If you’re obese or overweight, losing excess weight is a great way to lower high blood cholesterol. Losing as little as 5-7% of your bodyweight is enough to see significant change for the better.Increase soluble fiber. This is easy enough. Start eating oatmeal for breakfast. According to the Mayo Clinic, oatmeal contains soluble fiber, which reduces your LDL. Reduce saturated fats. Consumption of saturated fats must be kept to a minimum. Many animal products, such as, red meat, butter, cheese and whole milk are the main sources of saturated fats. Again, according to the Mayo Clinic, your saturated fats should account for only 7% of your daily calorie intake. Reduce red meat consumption. Since red meat is high in saturated fats, you’ll want to replace some your red meat meals with an alternative. soy protein products or lean proteins, such as chicken, turkey, or broiled or baked fish are excellent substitutes. If you’ve been diagnosed with high cholesterol, seek your physician’s advice on your consumption of saturated fat.



Eat More Oatmeal



3 More Ways to Lower Your LDL



Drink green tea. According to research conducted by the University of Maryland Medical Center, “…green tea lowers total cholesterol and raises HDL (“good”) cholesterol in both animals and people.”  Moreover, they’ve found green tea “made from unfermented leaves… reportedly contains the highest concentration of powerful antioxidants called polyphenols.”  These antioxidants can reduce the damaging effects of LDL by neutralizing free radicals. Avoid adding sugar or artificial sweeteners to your tea. Brew it at home and enjoy your tea with mint leaves, lemon and lime juice. You can download the UMMC Green Tea Report here.Stop Smoking. If you smoke, stop. If you don’t smoke, don’t start. Cigarette smoking damages the walls of your blood vessels, making them more prone to accumulate fatty deposits. Smoking may also be a factor in lowering your HCL.Proper exercise. Regular exercise is another great way to prevent this high risk condition. Take note of my emphasis on “proper exercise.” Overdoing it with excessive workouts or programs with long exercise routines could actually be detrimental to your cholesterol goals. Exercise is simply introducing stress to your body. Therefore, undue stress through lengthy workouts can have an adverse effect. For a great exercise system, check out Old School New Body by Steve and Becky Holman. And as always, check with your primary medical care professional before beginning a new exercise regimen.



Drink Green Tea



Cholesterol Concluding Remarks

The National Cholesterol Education Program recommends adults get a blood test for cholesterol through their doctor every five years. It’s the only way you’ll know for sure. In this case, knowledge is half the battle. You can download their 40-page report here. Or, you may prefer a smaller “At-a-Glance” 6-page report, available at the end of this article.

If you are diagnosed, then it is important you follow your doctor’s orders to get your levels under control. Lowering your LDL and total levels can reduce risk of heart attacks. Heart atacks can lead to premature death, or the need for bypass surgery or angioplasty.

You’ve just read some of the best ways to avoid a completely preventable condition. Moreover, as long as you still have breath in your nostrils, it’s never too late to make a change for the better. There are many ways to lower cholesterol levels. Certain lifestyle changes are all you may need to see a quick and positive change to your good health.

Grab the shorter 6-page report here. 

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