Do you ever wonder how cholesterol levels affect your risk for heart disease? Cholesterol is a fatty substance that is found in the blood. However, at high levels, it can be harmful. In fact, high cholesterol levels is a major risk factor for heart disease. If you have high cholesterol levels, there are a number of ways that you can lower them naturally without having to take medication. In this article, we will discuss different methods that you can use to achieve this goal. We will also provide tips for living a healthier lifestyle overall. So, if you are looking for ways to improve your health, keep reading!
What cholesterol is and why it’s important
Cholesterol is a fatty substance that’s found in the blood. Your body needs cholesterol to build healthy cells, but too much cholesterol can be a problem. When you have too much cholesterol in your blood, it can build up on the walls of your arteries. This buildup is called plaque, and it can narrow your arteries or even block them. That’s why high cholesterol levels are a major risk factor for heart disease.
The different types of cholesterol – LDL and HDL
Total cholesterol is the combination of the two main types of cholesterol: HDL cholesterol and LDL cholesterol.
LDL cholesterol:
– LDL cholesterol is the “bad” cholesterol because it can build up on the walls of your arteries and cause blockages.
– your liver makes LDL cholesterol, but you can also get it from the food you eat – saturated and trans fats increase LDL cholesterol levels.
– some people are more likely to have high LDL cholesterol levels due to genetics or other factors such as obesity, diabetes, or high blood pressure.
HDL cholesterol:
– HDL cholesterol is the “good” cholesterol because it helps remove LDL cholesterol from your arteries thus preventing plaque formation.
– you can increase your HDL cholesterol levels by exercising, eating healthy foods, and not smoking.
– some people are more likely to have low HDL cholesterol levels due to genetics or other factors such as obesity, diabetes, or high blood pressure.
How cholesterol is measured
A cholesterol test measures the amount of cholesterol in your blood. This test can be done with a simple blood draw from your arm. The cholesterol in your blood is measured in milligrams (mg) of cholesterol per deciliter (dl) of blood.
Your cholesterol levels are considered:
– healthy if you have less than 200 mg/dl
– borderline high if you have 200 to 239 mg/dl
– high if you 240 mg/dl or higher
For LDL levels specifically,
– LDL cholesterol is considered healthy if it’s less than 100 mg/dl
– borderline high if it’s 100 to 129 mg/dl
– high if it’s 130 mg/dl or higher
For HDL cholesterol specifically,
– HDL cholesterol is considered healthy if it’s 60 mg/dl or higher
– borderline low if it’s below 40 mg/dl
– low if it’s below 35 mg/dl.
How high cholesterol levels can increase your risk for heart disease
When cholesterol levels become too high, it can increase the risk for heart disease. This is because cholesterol can build up in the arteries, leading to a narrowing of the passageways and making it difficult for blood to flow through. This can cause chest pain, shortness of breath, and even a heart attack or stroke. Usually, the first signs that your cholesterol levels might be too high are often no symptoms at all. That’s why cholesterol testing is important, especially for those who are at risk.
Who are the individuals at risk?
Those at risk of high cholesterol levels include people with diabetes, high blood pressure, or a family history of heart disease. Other risk factors include being overweight, smoking, and eating an unhealthy diet.
Ways to lower your cholesterol levels naturally
There are plenty of natural ways to lower your cholesterol levels. Some lifestyle changes that can help include:
- Eat healthy fats: while all fats should be consumed in moderation, some fats can actually help improve cholesterol levels. Good sources of healthy fats (unsaturated fats) include olive oil, nuts, and avocados. These unsaturated fats, which include polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats, can help lower cholesterol levels by reducing LDL cholesterol while increasing HDL cholesterol. Furthermore, foods that are high in cholesterol, such as fatty meats and processed foods, should be avoided since they contain the unhealthy types of fats (saturated and trans fats). Instead, eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
- Get plenty of exercise: exercise helps boost HDL (good) cholesterol levels and can also help reduce the amount of LDL (bad) cholesterol in the blood by burning off excess fat. It also helps to strengthen your heart and cardiovascular system. Best type of workout includes aerobic exercise, such as running, swimming, or cycling. Ideally, HIIT (high-intensity interval training) is a great form of exercise for heart health as it helps to improve cholesterol levels and reduce body fat. Aim for 30 minutes of HIIT exercise 3-4 times per week. Either way, whatever sport you decide to pursue, even 30 minutes of moderate exercise a day can make a significant difference. So, get moving!
- Limit your intake of red meat, full-fat dairy products, butter, eggs, fried foods, and processed meats: limit your intake of red meat to only a few times a month. When you do eat it, choose lean cuts and trim off any visible fat. Full-fat dairy products, butter, eggs, and fried foods should be avoided if you have high cholesterol or are at risk. Processed meats like bacon, sausage, and deli meats are also high in cholesterol and saturated fat. If you can’t cut them out completely, try to limit your intake to a few times per week. These foods can increase cholesterol levels and are best avoided if you have high cholesterol or are at risk. Instead choose lean protein sources like skinless chicken, fish, tofu, legumes, and low-fat dairy. These foods will help reduce cholesterol levels without sacrificing taste or nutrition.
- Quit smoking: smoking is one of the major risk factors for heart disease. It increases your risk for heart disease and other health problems, including high cholesterol levels. When you smoke, the nicotine raises your cholesterol levels and damages the lining of your arteries. This makes it easier for cholesterol to build up and harden, which can lead to a heart attack or stroke. Quitting smoking can help improve your cholesterol levels as well as your overall health.
- Lose excess weight: being overweight or obese is a major risk factor for heart disease. Losing weight can help improve your cholesterol levels and reduce your risk of heart disease. You should lose around 5% to 10 % of your total body weight to make a significant difference to your cholesterol levels. This weight loss could be from diet and exercise or a combination of both.
- Eat more soluble fiber: soluble fiber can help lower cholesterol levels by binding with bile acids in the digestive tract and preventing their absorption into the bloodstream. Good sources of soluble fiber include oats, barley, legumes, apples, citrus fruits, and flaxseeds.
- Drink alcohol in moderation: drinking alcohol in moderation can actually help improve cholesterol levels. However, heavy drinking can have the opposite effect and should be avoided since it increases cholesterol levels by increasing the amount of cholesterol produced by the liver by as much as 25%. Males should drink no more than two alcoholic beverages per day, and females should drink no more than one.
- Reducing stress levels: stress can raise cholesterol levels, so it’s important to find ways to manage stress effectively. When your stressed, your body starts depositing cholesterol in your arteries thus accelerating plaque formation leading to heart disease. Yoga, meditation, and deep breathing exercises can be helpful in reducing your stress.
- Managing medical conditions. If you have a medical condition that contributes to high cholesterol levels, such as diabetes or hypothyroidism, it’s important to get it under control with medication and lifestyle changes.
- Get regular checkups: getting regular checkups with your doctor can help you monitor your cholesterol levels and make lifestyle changes as needed to keep them under control.
Foods that help reduce cholesterol levels
Certain foods can help reduce cholesterol levels by binding with cholesterol in the digestive tract so that it’s not absorbed into the bloodstream. These cholesterol-lowering foods include:
- Oats: oats are rich in a type of fiber called beta-glucan, which has been shown to reduce cholesterol levels.
- Barley: like oats, barley is also rich in beta-glucan fiber. In addition, barley contains plant sterols, which have also been shown to reduce cholesterol levels.
- Beans: beans are high in fiber and low in saturated fat, both of which can help lower cholesterol levels.
- Soy: soy products like tofu and tempeh contain plant estrogens that can help reduce cholesterol levels.
- Nuts: nuts are a good source of unsaturated fats, which can help lower cholesterol levels. In addition, nuts contain plant sterols, which can also help reduce cholesterol levels.
- Fish: fish like salmon and tuna are high in omega-3 fatty acids, which have been shown to reduce cholesterol levels.
- Flaxseeds: flaxseeds are a good source of fiber, as well as omega-3 fatty acids. Both of these nutrients have been shown to reduce cholesterol levels.
- Avocados: avocados are a good source of unsaturated fats, which can help lower cholesterol levels.
- Dark chocolate: dark chocolate contains antioxidants that can help reduce cholesterol levels.
In conclusion
Making lifestyle changes is a great way to naturally lower your cholesterol levels and reduce your risk for heart disease. Eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, quitting smoking, and managing stress are all excellent ways to improve your overall health and well-being. Additionally, incorporating cholesterol-lowering foods into your diet can help reduce your cholesterol levels even further. By making these simple changes, you can dramatically improve your health and lower your risk for heart disease. Don’t wait till it’s too late, take action now!
FAQS
Q: what is cholesterol?
A: cholesterol is a waxy substance that’s found in your blood. Your body needs cholesterol to build healthy cells, but too much cholesterol can be a problem. When you have too much cholesterol in your blood, it can build up on the walls of your arteries. This buildup is called plaque, and it can narrow your arteries or even block them. That’s why high cholesterol levels are a major risk factor for heart disease.
Q: what are the different types of cholesterol?
A: there are two main types of cholesterol: LDL cholesterol and HDL cholesterol. LDL cholesterol is the “bad” cholesterol because it contributes to plaque buildup in your arteries. HDL cholesterol is the “good” cholesterol because it helps remove LDL cholesterol from your arteries.
Q: how can high cholesterol levels increase my risk for heart disease?
A: high cholesterol levels increase your risk for heart disease because they can cause plaque to build up in your arteries. Plaque narrows your arteries and makes it harder for blood to flow through them. This can lead to a heart attack or stroke.
Q: what are some ways i can lower my cholesterol levels naturally?
A: there are plenty of natural ways to lower your cholesterol levels. Some lifestyle changes that can help include eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, quitting smoking, and managing stress. Additionally, certain foods can help reduce cholesterol levels by binding with cholesterol in the digestive tract so that it’s not absorbed into the bloodstream. These cholesterol-lowering foods include soluble fiber, plant sterols and stanols, and fish.
Q: what are some tips for living a healthier lifestyle overall?
A: in addition to making dietary changes and exercising regularly, there are other lifestyle changes you can make to lower your cholesterol levels and reduce your risk for heart disease. These include quitting smoking, managing stress, getting enough sleep, and maintaining a healthy weight.