What is cholesterol?
Cholesterol, is a naturally occurring waxy substance produced by the body. It is not bad in it self unless there is too much of the bad kind. Then it contributes to the formation of arterydefine-clogging plaque, increasing your risk of heart disease and stroke.
Good and Bad Cholesterol
You have two main types of cholesterol in your body. Low-density lipoprotein, or LDL, which is the bad cholesterol.
The other is the high-density lipoprotein, or HDL, which is the good cholesterol. While LDL carries cholesterol into your arteries, HDL carries it to your liver.
The lesser LDL and the more HDL you have, the better the condition of your heart. Beyond that basic fact, other details matter too, like the size of your LDL particles.
Smaller, denser LDL particles are more dangerous because it's easier for them to burrow into the artery walls. It is advisable to get your blood cholesterol checked to see which kind of cholesterol is high in your body.
Causes of high cholesterol
The addiction to unhealthy fast food is one of the primary causes. Unhealthy eating can strain your health and cause the bad cholesterol to rise in your body.
Another major reason for high cholesterol is lack of exercise. People find it difficult to motivate themselves to exercise on a regular basis. You have to snap out of this habit if you want to keep good health.
Quick Ways to get it down
Here are a few tips that one can follow to maintain good cholesterol in your body and bring the bad cholesterol down.
The loads of fiber in oats help wipe off those toxins out of your body. Add slices of fruits to make the meal tastier.
You need to have a fast metabolism for faster breakdown of food. The only way to move it up is to exercise. Be proactive and reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke by getting rid of those extra pounds.
Fast food is loaded with fat and cholesterol. You do not get the nutritional benefits and put yourself at risk. Using olive oil is also a good option.
Remember, not all fats are bad. In fact, some will actually help lower bad cholesterol, while increasing good cholesterol. For example, fish and peanut butter, in moderation, may have the opposite effect.
Food like fruits, vegetables and legumes are high in fiber content. The fiber will help a person feel fuller, eat less, and absorb excess fat, in addition to the other physical benefits. As fruits are natural foods, it is healthy to munch on fruits rather than rich French fries. Drinking a lot of water is also good for you in every way.
Finally, stay away from stress. Life is too short for you to risk the negative effects of stress. Stressed out people are unlikely to maintain a healthy lifestyle change and their blood vessels constrict, accentuating the problem of high cholesterol.
If you happen to have high cholesterol and are already on cholesterol-lowering medication by your physician, pay special attention to the tips in this article. Because research suggests that by eating the right foods, getting enough exercise and generally taking good care of yourself, you could slash your risk of dying from heart disease by an incredible 80 percent.
You deserve to be healthy. You deserve to be happy and live a healthy life. It's time to act now to get that cholesterol down.
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