Cholesterol Management

 

Cholesterol levels can be lowered by eating a healthy diet that is low in saturated and trans fats, exercising regularly, and maintaining a healthy weight.

The best way to lower cholesterol is by making dietary changes and increasing physical activity. Dietary changes that can help lower cholesterol include: eating foods low in saturated fat and trans fat, eating foods high in fiber, eating a variety of fruits and vegetables, avoiding sugary drinks, and moderate alcohol consumption. Physical activity helps to burn calories and thus helps reduce weight which has been linked with lower blood cholesterol levels. Regular aerobic exercise can also raise "good" HDL cholesterol levels and improve the function of the lining of blood vessels.

The most important thing to remember is that cholesterol is not a "bad" molecule. In fact, cholesterol is essential for human life. Cholesterol is a critical component of all cell membranes, and it's also required for the production of hormones (including testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone) and vitamin D. The problem is that too much cholesterol can lead to health problems. LDL ("bad") cholesterol can accumulate in the walls of your arteries, leading to atherosclerosis (a narrowing and hardening of the arteries). This can reduce blood flow to the heart and other organs, eventually leading to heart attack or stroke.