February 1, 2021

A healthy diet and lifestyle are your best weapons in the fight against high cholesterol. Follow these easy guidelines to help lower your cholesterol levels.

Diet.

Buy groceries at the store and prepare your meals at home. Try to choose fresh, naturally flavored, unprepared foods without toxins or chemicals such as preservatives. When fresh foods are not available, choose frozen or canned vegetables and fruits in water without added sugars, salts, or saturated or trans fats. Try to eat organic and non-GMO when you can, and stay hydrated. You should aim to drink half your body  weight in ounces of water per day.

Physical Exercise.

The benefits of physical activity are proven and well documented. By exercising as little as 30 minutes a day, you can reduce your risk of heart disease, lower your bad cholesterol levels and increase your good cholesterol levels.

Weight Management.

Between 60 and 70% of Americans are either obese or overweight. This puts you at a higher risk for health problems such as heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure and diabetes. Losing weight means changing the balance of calories in and calories out; if we eat fewer calories than we use, we lose weight. Avoid sugars, starches, processed foods and white flour products.

Stress Management.

Stress hormones help us fight or flee when we are in danger, but our body’s stress response can become a problem when it constantly signals danger about issues that are not a threat, or when it grows to the point of overwhelming our health, well-being or clear thinking. There are supplements available to improve your stress levels.

Quit Smoking.

Smoking is the most important preventable cause of premature death in the U.S. Smokers have a higher risk of developing many chronic disorders, including atherosclerosis, which can lead to coronary heart disease, heart attack and stroke.