Managing High Cholesterol on a Day-to-day Basis
Nearly a third of the population in the United States has high cholesterol, which carries numerous risk factors, such as an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. Since high cholesterol affects a large portion of the population and has severe repercussions, it’s essential to know how to manage it daily.
This article will provide some tips to help you manage high cholesterol.
Eat a Proper Diet
For those with high cholesterol, it’s recommended to eat a diet low in fat and high in fiber. Because your body produces all the cholesterol it needs, you will want to avoid certain foods with high cholesterol. Some daily dietary tips to consider include:
Read the nutrition labels and try to avoid trans fats.
Avoid red meat and dairy, but incorporate meats like fish or chicken.
Reduce the overall amount of animal products you consume.
Limit margarine and processed snacks.
Incorporate high-fiber foods such as oatmeal, apple, oranges, peas, cashews and broccoli.
Increase your intake of fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
Ask your doctor or registered dietitian about how to manage your day-to-day high cholesterol through your diet.
Exercise Consistently
Exercising can help reduce your cholesterol levels. When good cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), is raised in the body through exercise, it fights the bad cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL). It’s always important to check with your doctor before starting a new exercise regimen, but its’ commonly recommended to start with 30 minutes of moderate exercise daily.
There are many ways to incorporate more movement into your daily routine. The most important thing is you find an activity you enjoy, so it’s easy to stick with.
Avoid Smoking
Smoking lowers your HDL levels. If you smoke, reducing the amount you smoke or quitting smoking could help lower your cholesterol. If you don’t currently smoke, avoid smoking altogether to manage your levels.
Manage Your High Cholesterol Daily
Managing your high cholesterol doesn’t need to be challenging; it just takes practice and consistency. It’s essential to find out the methods of management that work best for you and your health. Your doctor may even recommend medications to help you manage your cholesterol levels.
Conclusion
Making these changes is not a guaranteed fix, nor will it be an immediate change in your cholesterol levels. Be sure to discuss your health needs with a physician before making any drastic lifestyle changes to try and manage your high cholesterol.
This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. For further information, please consult a medical professional. © 2022 Zywave, Inc. All rights reserved.