If you are having trouble with unhealthy cholesterol levels, making certain heart-healthy lifestyle changes is imperative to prevent your condition from progressing.
Apart from medications, there are many significantly beneficial ways of keeping high cholesterol in control. In this article, we will look at some of the most effective ways of treating high cholesterol.
- Indulge in regular exercise
Exercise has a huge impact on increasing HDL cholesterol, the good cholesterol that prevents all heart diseases. Therefore, even if regular exercise will not lead to an instant change of numbers, it will greatly reinforce your heart and protect you from traumatizing heart diseases.
Begin with a mild form of exercise for at least 30 minutes every day. Gradually, increase the pace and start working out for one hour regularly.
- Opt for a healthy diet
This is perhaps the most important thing that can be helpful in keeping high cholesterol levels in check. Know the difference between healthy and unhealthy fats. Check the food labels carefully and note the content of calorie, saturated fat, trans fat, total fat, etc., before purchasing any food item.
Avoiding the intake of saturated fat and completely eliminating trans fat can help in improving your cholesterol numbers. On the other hand, liquid fats from vegetables are good for cholesterol and referred to as unsaturated fats.
- Consume heart-healthy fish twice a week
Fish, such as mackerel and salmon are rich sources of omega-3 fatty acids. They help to bring down the fat content in the blood and protect your heart.
Abstain from the intake of red meat and opt for fish instead. If you do not get your much-needed dose of omega-3 fatty acids this way, you will have to take it in the form of dietary supplements.
- Reduce your portion size
If you are trying to keep high cholesterol in control, it is important that you maintain healthy body weight. For this, you need to reduce your portion size. Know the sizes of heart-healthy portions and try not to go overboard.
- Increase the intake of fruits, vegetables, and beans
Lots of fruits and vegetables make an extremely healthy diet. Try to have four to five servings of fruits each day to lower cholesterol levels. These fruits and vegetables are also rich sources of minerals, vitamins, and fiber. They help to keep you feeling full for longer, thereby controlling weight and improving cholesterol.
Also, beans contain soluble fiber that is especially helpful for people with high cholesterol.
- Quit smoking
Smoking is the main cause of deaths caused due to many preventable diseases. Smoking along with high cholesterol is a terminal combination.
Many studies reveal that quitting smoking can lead to low levels of LDL and high levels of HDL cholesterol.
All of these aforementioned tips are easy ways to improve one’s lifestyle as well as reduce the risks associated with high cholesterol. Observe them regularly to see a positive change in your cholesterol numbers.
