Posted on February 21, 2019

Changes to improve your cholesterol

Category:Wellness

Lifestyle changes can help reduce cholesterol, keep you off cholesterol-lowering medications or enhance the effect of your medications. 

High cholesterol increases your risk of heart disease and heart attacks. You can improve cholesterol with medications, but if you’d rather first make lifestyle changes to improve your cholesterol, try these five healthy changes. If you already take medications, these changes can improve their cholesterol-lowering effect

1. Eat heart-healthy foods

Even if you have years of unhealthy eating under your belt, making a few changes in your diet can reduce cholesterol and improve your heart’s health.

Choose healthier fats.

Saturated fats, found primarily in red meat and dairy products, raise your total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, the “bad” cholesterol. As a rule, you should get less than 7 percent of your daily calories from saturated fat. Choose leaner cuts of meat, low-fat dairy, and monounsaturated fats — found in olive and canola oils — for healthier options.

Eliminate trans fats. 

Trans fats affect cholesterol levels by increasing the “bad” cholesterol and lowering the “good” cholesterol. This bad combination increases the risk of heart attacks. Trans fats can be found in fried foods and many commercial products, such as cookies, crackers, and snack cakes.

Even small amounts of trans fat can add up if you eat foods that contain small amounts of trans fat.

Eat foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids.

Omega-3 fatty acids don’t affect LDL cholesterol. They have other heart benefits, such as helping to increase high-density lipoprotein (HDL, or “good”) cholesterol, reducing triglycerides, a type of fat in your blood, and reducing blood pressure. Some types of fish — such as salmon, mackerel, and herring — are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Other good sources of omega-3 fatty acids include walnuts, almonds, and ground flaxseeds

Increase soluble fiber. 

There are two types of fiber — soluble and insoluble. Both have heart-health benefits, but soluble fiber also helps lower your LDL levels. You can add soluble fiber to your diet by eating oats and oat bran, fruits, beans, lentils, and vegetables.

Add whey protein. 

Whey protein is one of two proteins in dairy products — the other is casein. Whey protein may account for many of the health benefits attributed to dairy. Studies have shown that whey protein given as a supplement lowers both LDL and total cholesterol.

2. Exercise on most days of the week and increase your physical activity

Exercise can improve cholesterol. Moderate physical activity can help raise high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, the “good” cholesterol. With your doctor’s OK, work up to at least 30 minutes of exercise a day.

Adding physical activity, even in 10-minute intervals several times a day, can help you begin to lose weight.

Consider:

• Take a brisk daily walk during your lunch hour
• Riding your bike to work
• Swimming laps
• Playing a favorite sport

To stay motivated, find an exercise buddy or join an exercise group. And remember, any activity is helpful. Even taking the stairs instead of the elevator or doing a few sit-ups while watching television can make a difference.

3. Quit smoking

If you smoke, stop. Quitting might improve your HDL cholesterol level. And the benefits don’t end there.

Within 20 minutes of quitting, your blood pressure and heart rate decrease, and by one year your risk of heart disease is half that of a smoker. After 15 years, your risk of heart disease is similar to someone who never smoked.

4. Lose weight

Carrying even a few extra pounds contributes to high cholesterol. Losing as little as 5 to 10 percent of your weight can improve cholesterol levels.

Start by evaluating your eating habits and daily routine. Consider your challenges to weight loss and ways to overcome them.

Small changes add up. You can always take a walk when you are frustrated or bored instead of stress eating.

If you pick up fast food for lunch every day, pack something healthier from home. Don’t eat mindlessly.

Look for ways to incorporate more activity into your daily routine, such as using the stairs instead of taking the elevator or parking farther from your office.

5. Drink alcohol only in moderation

Moderate use of alcohol has been linked with higher levels of HDL cholesterol. Always drink alcohol in moderation.

One drink a day for women of all ages and men older than age 65 is sufficient and up to two drinks a day for men aged 65 and younger.

Too much alcohol can lead to serious health problems, including high blood pressure, heart failure, and stroke.