High cholesterol: Nutritionist reveals top prevention tips
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info
That sounds a bit confusing, doesn’t it?
You see we have two types of cholesterol in our bodies, good cholesterol and bad cholesterol.
Good cholesterol is called high-density lipoprotein (HDL).
This absorbs cholesterol and sends it back to the liver which flushes it from the body.
We want a lot of this, as much as possible.
On the other hand, bad cholesterol is called low-density lipoprotein (LDL).
This sticks to the walls of your blood vessels, forming a plaque, increasing your risk of heart disease and stroke.
We want to keep this as low as possible.
Fortunately there are some ways to keep it down.
It isn’t just your diet where you can make improvements, but in how much you exercise too.
Aerobic exercise can make a big difference and just a few hours a week can make a difference
As well as lowering levels of bad cholesterol, aerobic exercise increases levels of good cholesterol.
This good cholesterol is the type of cholesterol that protects your heart.
Quitting smoking won’t just decrease your risk of developing cancer, it will increase your levels of LDL cholesterol too.
Alongside reducing your LDL levels, studies have found that kicking the smoking habit increases your levels of HDL cholesterol.
This isn’t to say quitting is easy, for some it can be a very difficult experience.
However, there are fortunately a multitude of support groups and services out there to guide you through the process.
Finally, try avoiding processed foods, and when you can, cook with fresh ingredients.
Your cholesterol levels, both good and bad, are a measure of your heart health.
They can help guide you to make decisions about your lifestyle that will have wide ranging positive consequences beyond lowering your cholesterol levels.
Source: Read Full Article