Ways to Lower Cholesterol

There Are Simple Ways to Lower Cholesterol

Not all cholesterol is bad. There are two types of Cholesterol: The low-density type, which is called LDL, and the high-density type called HDL. The "L" stands for lipoproteins, which are particles of fat that travel through the bloodstream. The bad lipoproteins are the low-density type since they tend to create plaque in the arteries. Plaque restricts blood flow, and it eventually ruptures and blood clots form, which cut off the flow of oxygen, blood, and nutrients to the brain.

The high-density type picks up the low-density cholesterol, and takes it to the liver where it is processed and excreted. Doctors like to see, and the American Heart Association recommends a combined cholesterol level of 200 or less. There are simple ways to lower cholesterol to 200 or less naturally, but most people depend on drugs to do it for them. But statin drugs may not be right for everyone. There are a couple reasons for high cholesterol. One is genetics and another is eating food that is high in saturated fats. One of the first ways to lower cholesterol is to reduce your intake of saturated fats and begin exercising.

Vegetables and fruits that are high in phytonutrients and fiber will help reduce your cholesterol number, and avoiding red meat, fatty milk, and egg yokes are other ways to lower cholesterol. Eating fish like albacore tuna and salmon two or three ties a week also helps reduce LDL. These fish contain omega-3 fatty acids, which have a major impact on triglycerides. Triglycerides are other fats in the bloodstream. Plant sources of omega-3 fatty acids include soybeans, walnuts, flaxseed, olive, and canola oil.

Moderate alcohol consumption is one of the other ways to lower cholesterol. The American Heart Association recommends one glass a wine a day for women and two glasses a day for men. Green tea is great for lowering the low-density cholesterol, and eating a handful of almonds and walnuts each day can also change your good to bad cholesterol ratio.

The Obvious Ways to Lower Cholesterol Are Often Overlooked

Smoking has become a health villain for several reasons, and one of those reasons is it lowers the level of high-density cholesterol in the bloodstream. Replacing margarine and butter with margarine-type spreads that contain cholesterol-lowering plant compounds called stanols also helps lower your cholesterol number. Drinking a glass of orange juice that is spiked with plant stanols each morning helps, and eating six small meals a day instead of two or three big ones will definitely help reduce your low-density cholesterol number.

Coffee may be the drink that gets the body moving in the morning, but the cafestol and the kahweol in your morning brew increase cholesterol levels. Paper filters trap these compounds so they count in the ways to lower cholesterol, but espresso and coffeemakers without filters don't count and should be avoided. Three to five cups of black tea a week is a good idea, and a half a teaspoon of cinnamon in your coffee can reduce your LDL cholesterol number.

Studies show that a bowl of oatmeal each morning can lower your LDL number by at least 12%, and a couple of glasses of cranberry juice each day will prevent LDL from oxidizing. Exercise is not the last thought when it comes to thinking of ways to lower cholesterol, it usually is the first. Some type of consistent aerobic exercise is important, but it's a good idea to discuss that exercise program with your doctor before you start.

Incorporating a natural supplement to a healthy diet is another strong way to lower cholesterol in your blood. Supplements should contain all natural ingredients that are proven to help reduce cholesterol. For more information about natural supplements visit www.vasacor.com.