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The
Keys to Reducing Cholesterol
Perhaps you
just got the call from your doctor telling you your
cholesterol levels are too high. Maybe you have
known for some time that you need to do something
about your cholesterol levels, but you are just not
sure what. It is a fact that high cholesterol levels
can lead to many potentially dangerous health issues
like heart attacks, stroke and cardiovascular
disease. If your numbers are too high, you need to
learn about reducing
cholesterol so that you can begin to make
healthy lifestyle choices for your heart.
What
is Cholesterol?
Cholesterol
is actually a substance that is produced by our
livers for the purpose of aiding in many important
physiological functions. However, when we consume
foods that accelerate the production of cholesterol
in our bodies, it does not all effectively get
passed through our bloodstreams and out of our
bodies as it should. Instead, it sticks to the walls
of our arteries, causing the development of plaque.
This plaque restricts the flow of blood, causing our
hearts to pump harder to get the blood to go where
it needs to. This extra work creates a strain on our
hearts, and leads to the increased risk of a variety
of conditions, which is why
reducing cholesterol
is essential to good health.
Keeping
it Down
So
reducing cholesterol
is important, but how do you do it? There are many
lifestyle modifications that you can make to bring
those numbers down, including quitting smoking and
limiting alcohol consumption. Daily cardiovascular
exercise is also an important part of keeping our
hearts healthy and strong and
reducing cholesterol
levels. There are plenty of other health benefits to
regular exercise as well, so get out there and get
moving! Take a walk or a bike ride through your
neighborhood, or join a local fitness center. Take
up a new hobby like swimming or hiking. Your heart
will thank you.
Diet is
another important element in
reducing cholesterol
levels. Avoid foods that are high in saturated fats,
and fill your plate instead with fruits, vegetables
and whole grains. Keep your meats and dairy choices
low-fat, and avoid refined sugars and flour as much
as possible. A healthy diet will not only help you
in reducing
cholesterol, it will also lessen the
likelihood of other conditions like diabetes and
some cancers.
If your
diet changes and exercise program are not successful
in reducing
cholesterol, there are also medications that
can help lower the number. Many of these medicines
fall into the category of statins, and require a
doctor’s prescription. Statins are not right for
everyone, so talk to your doctor about the pros and
cons of medication before you begin taking one. With
the large number of choices in
reducing cholesterol,
you can rest assured that you will be on the road to
better health in no time.
