Need major medical…personal or
commercial, Hoffman Brown can help. Just ask us for a quote. Below is
some interesting medical advice we can all use.
HOW CAN I LOWER MY
CHOLESTEROL?
Cholesterol is often
associated with heart disease, one of America’s most fatal diseases.
However, cholesterol isn’t always bad.
Good cholesterol, known
as High Density Lipoprotein (HDL), helps clean out your arteries and
aids the formation of cell membranes and other essential tissues that
keep your body healthy.
Bad Cholesterol, known as
Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL), causes fatty deposits to build up on the
inside of your arteries, increasing your risk for heart attack. Here are
some tips to help you increase the good cholesterol and avoid the bad:
- EAT A LOW-FAT, HIGH FIBER DIET
Saturated fat raises your
blood cholesterol more than anything else. To avoid saturated fats,
check food labels; choose low-fat substitutes when you can; and eat less
animal foods such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and dairy products. To
help keep your arteries clean, eat high-fiber foods such as bran,
oatmeal, peas, and citrus fruits.
- LOWER YOU DIETARY CHOLESTEROL
Check labels for
"cholesterol-free" and "low cholesterol" options. The FDA has recently
required food companies to change their labels, making them more
accurate. However, remember that just because a food is low in
cholesterol doesn’t mean it’s healthy. For example, peanut butter has
little or no cholesterol, but it is high in saturated fat, which over
time could raise your bad cholesterol level. The American Heart
Association also recommends eating no more than four egg yolks a week,
including those in prepared foods such as breads and cakes.
Exercise is one of the
few ways to boost your good cholesterol levels. Exercise also helps
control weight, diabetes, and high blood pressure. Even mild activities
such as walking, gardening, housework, or dancing – if performed daily,
help reduce your risk of heart disease.
Smoking has been proven
to lower good cholesterol levels, making it harder for your body to
remove the build-up on your artery walls. The good news is that the risk
for heart disease is reduced even when long-time smokers quit.
There are several risk
factors for heart disease such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and a
family history of heart disease that might affect how closely you should
monitor your cholesterol levels. Talk to your doctor about your risk
factors.
