High cholesterol raises your chances of developing heart disease and having a heart attack.
Medications can assist you in lowering your cholesterol. If you’d prefer make lifestyle changes to lower your cholesterol first, consider these four suggestions.
- Reduce your weight
Carrying even a few extra pounds raises cholesterol levels. Small adjustments add up. Switch to water if you consume sugary beverages. Snack on air-popped popcorn or pretzels, but monitor your calorie intake. If you’re craving something sweet, consider sherbet or low-fat sweets. Look for methods to add extra movement to your daily routine, such as taking the stairs instead of the elevator or parking further away from your workplace. During your morning, go for a stroll. Increasing standing activities, such as cooking or walking, is a good idea.
- Begin to move.
Regular physical exercise not only helps you maintain a healthy weight, but it also helps you decrease cholesterol by activating the enzymes that transport “bad” cholesterol from your bloodstream to your liver.
- Get adequate rest.
In the fight against excessive cholesterol, sleep is just as crucial as food. People who don’t get enough sleep have lower HDL levels than those who receive at least seven hours of sleep per night.
- Give up smoking.
In terms of cholesterol, smoking has a double whammy effect, reducing HDL levels (“good” cholesterol) while also increasing LDL levels.
It’s Easier Than You Think to Lower Your Cholesterol
As you can see, decreasing your cholesterol does not have to be a tough task. Despite the fact that millions of Americans use statin medicines to decrease their cholesterol levels, you can have a greater impact by implementing a few simple lifestyle adjustments.
You’ll fight off “bad” cholesterol and better use “good” cholesterol as you create appropriate eating habits, exercise frequently, and get plenty of sleep each night, boosting your general health and lowering your risk of heart disease and stroke.
