subject: Effective Guidelines On How To Lower Cholesterol Naturally [print this page] Cholesterol isn't really bad for youCholesterol isn't really bad for you. But having lots of it can put you in some health dangers such as hypertension, stroke and heart attack. It's also said that too much of it can trigger cancer formation. That is why keeping yours within normal levels is essential. Continue reading to learn how to lower cholesterol levels naturally and effectively.
Minding what you put in your mouth is an important step. Limit intake of food loaded with bad cholesterol, also known as LDL or low-density lipoprotein. Usually, foods coming from animals contain lots of these. The key is to have them in moderation because they also provide you with amino acids and many other nutrients. When eating meat, make sure to remove visible fat portions and to go for healthy cooking options, like baking or grilling.
There are foods that are good for the heart naturally. Soluble fibers in green leafy vegetables help lower your blood's LDL levels. Every breakfast, have a serving of oatmeal. Oatmeal manufacturers have every reason to brag about how good their products are for your heart, and there are studies to support them. But go for old-fashioned rather than instant ones.
You can think of soluble fibers as a broom that effectively sweeps out anything that's not supposed to be in the arteries. When grocery shopping, check the label to see if the products you're buying are high in soluble fibers. There are so many foods rich in it. They include peas, broccoli, carrots, plums, prunes, pears and citrus fruits, most especially grapefruit.
Not all kinds of fat contribute to the problem because some of them are also good ones too. They're called unsaturated fats and they help increase good cholesterol or HDL (high-density lipoprotein) levels. Healthy oils like canola, flaxseed and olive oil are high in good types of fat. There are plenty of nuts that are also rich in it, most especially walnuts, cashews, hazelnuts and peanuts. Plus they also contain fiber, vitamin E and Omega-3 fatty acids.
Aside from maintaining a healthy heart, omega-3 fatty acids also contribute a lot of other things to the health. They help ward off exhaustion, joint pain and depression. They also prevent unwanted thickening of the blood. Many sea foods are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. They include mackerel, tuna, sardines and salmon.
You should also maintain a desirable weight. It's important to have regular exercise to keep your circulatory system healthy. Fitness experts recommend for you to exercise at least 5 times per week, each time not less than 20 minutes. There really is no need to hit the gym because exercising can be as plain and fun as dancing, walking, bicycling and playing badminton.
If you're a smoker, ditch the habit. You should also eliminate alcoholic drinks, although red wine at dinnertime is said to be beneficial. It's because of saponins in red wine, a plant compound. Eating dark chocolate too is also good for you, but something that has no added sweetener or dairy in it. Reducing stress is another essential tip on how to lower cholesterol effectively, especially if you have a very busy everyday schedule. Ways to deal with stress come aplenty, such as having a hobby, taking care of a pet, doing yoga and listening to music.