Author: John Carter
How to lower cholesterol without drugs
However, having high levels of LDL cholesterol can increase a person’s risk of heart disease, heart attack, and stroke. LDL cholesterol can accumulate in the arteries and increase the risk of heart disease, heart attack, and stroke. Eating meat, especially red meat, increases the risk of high LDL cholesterol, high blood pressure, inflammation, and, all together, fatal heart disease.
Being overweight may raise the risk of high cholesterol and elevated LDL levels. Studies show that losing 5–10% of body weight can reduce LDL cholesterol levels and losing 1-3% of body weight may improve HDL cholesterol levels [16,17]. Although cholesterol serves several important functions, high (total) cholesterol is a risk factor for heart disease.
How to Naturally Lower Your Cholesterol
Cardiovascular exercise can help to keep your weight at a healthy range and can also boost your heart health. Walking, jogging, biking, and swimming are all exercises that can help lower cholesterol, especially if you do them three times per week or more. First things first — diet is one of the most important risk factors for developing high cholesterol. “You can lower your cholesterol by limiting the type of foods you eat,” Dr. Cho says. People can naturally lower their cholesterol levels by adopting dietary and lifestyle changes.
Eating more heart-healthy foods, exercising regularly, and quitting smoking (if applicable) are ones you may have heard of. Other alternative treatments, like taking fenugreek supplements, may come as a surprise. High cholesterol is one of the biggest risk factors for cardiovascular conditions such as heart disease and stroke. But while HDL cholesterol is considered “good” cholesterol, and not having enough of it can be a problem, too. Moderate physical activity can help raise high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, the “good” cholesterol. With your doctor’s OK, work up to at least 30 minutes of exercise five times a week or vigorous aerobic activity for 20 minutes three times a week.
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Oatmeal has soluble fiber, which reduces your low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, the “bad” cholesterol. Soluble fiber is also found in such foods as kidney beans, Brussels sprouts, apples and pears. Soluble fiber is a type of dietary fiber found in plant foods, especially fruits, vegetables, oats, and barley. Sweet potatoes, Brussels sprouts, whole grains, and legumes are all excellent sources of soluble fiber. Even if you lose weight and keep it off, LDL cholesterol levels might go back to what it was before you made these changes. If you’re feeling frustrated, remember that there are many other health benefits of weight maintenance and a nutritious diet.
- First things first — diet is one of the most important risk factors for developing high cholesterol.
- Soluble fiber is also found in such foods as kidney beans, Brussels sprouts, apples and pears.
- Conversely, HDL stands for High Density Lipoprotein, and is considered “good” cholesterol because it picks up cholesterol and returns it to the liver for excretion [2].
- You can find whey protein powders in health food stores and some grocery stores.
People new to exercise may want to start with lower-intensity activities and gradually build the intensity of their workouts. Additionally, individuals with chronic conditions or disabilities should consult a doctor to determine what type of physical activity and how much is right for them. Sterols and stanols are substances found in plants that help block the absorption of cholesterol. People tend to think of avocados in guacamole, which often is eaten with high-fat corn chips. Try adding avocado slices to salads and sandwiches or eating them as a side dish. By Jennifer Moll, PharmDJennifer Moll, MS, PharmD, is a pharmacist actively involved in educating patients about the importance of heart disease prevention.
Alert: This hidden condition increases heart attack and stroke risks
Essential refers to the fact that the body cannot produce these oils, and a person can only get them directly from food sources. Food manufacturers use trans fats because they are relatively inexpensive and long-lasting. Having high cholesterol does not cause symptoms, but it can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. Doctors may prescribe statins or other medications to help lower a person’s cholesterol levels. Plant sterols or stanols don’t appear to affect levels of triglycerides or of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, the “good” cholesterol.
You can also use olive oil as a substitute for butter when basting meat or as a dip for bread. Omega-3 fatty acids don’t affect LDL cholesterol levels but may help lower triglycerides and increase HDL, the good cholesterol. But because of those acids’ other heart benefits, the American Heart Association recommends eating at least two servings of fish a week. Many studies have proven that consuming plenty of soluble fiber decreases the risk of cardiovascular disease while lowering LDL cholesterol levels. Furthermore, eating fiber can increase the effectiveness of the statin cholesterol medications you may already be taking. The majority of fats you eat should come from both monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats, rather than unsaturated or trans fats.
Apple cider vinegar (ACV), or just cider vinegar, is a type of vinegar made from fermented apple juice. It is widely regarded for its profile of health benefits, and can even be used to lower LDL cholesterol. After 90 days, the effects of smoking on cholesterol can be reversed quite a lot. Research has shown that cholesterol levels drop as soon as you stop smoking. Cigarette smoking is linked to higher cholesterol levels and the formation of a damaging form of LDL called oxidized LDL that contributes to atherosclerosis.
Other forms of exercise, such as yoga, walking, and weight-bearing exercises have been shown to modestly decrease LDL levels. However, these activities have not been studied to the same extent as aerobic exercise for lowering cholesterol. “Eat your flax instead of taking it in pill or oil form,” Dr. Cho advises. “Non-food versions lack fiber, lignans and protein.” Instead, aim for two to three tablespoons of ground flaxseed a day, putting it in cereal, yogurt or salad.
Taking psyllium supplements and eating oatmeal for breakfast are easy ways to increase the amount of soluble fiber you consume every day. You can also load up on fruits and veggies to get that fiber intake even higher. Additionally, the chemicals present in cigarette smoke can cause LDL to become stickier and also damage the lining of blood vessels, making them swollen and inflamed.
Lose Weight
HDL cholesterol collects LDL cholesterol and other fats from the arteries and transports them back to the liver. The liver disposes of excess cholesterol by converting it into a digestive fluid called bile. Other evidence indicates that there is an association between short sleep duration or poor sleep quality with higher cholesterol levels. Keep in mind that apple cider vinegar, like any other healthy substance, should be consumed in moderation. While there are no official recommendations for how much apple cider vinegar to take, it’s best to stick to one or two spoonfuls per day.
“Ideally, you should be getting 25 to 35 grams of fiber a day,” says Dr. Cho. “Fiber binds to cholesterol and eliminates it from your body.”To increase your fiber intake, eat more whole grains, legumes like beans and lentils, vegetables and fruits. But nearly everyone can benefit from learning about healthy lifestyle choices that can lower cholesterol the natural way, including diet, exercise and stress management. Dr. Cho outlines the best ways to lower your cholesterol and reduce your risk of heart disease. High levels of LDL cholesterol can lead to fatty deposits building up on the walls of arteries, which increases a person’s risk of heart disease, heart attack, and stroke.
Eating foods that contain saturated or trans fats can increase your cholesterol level. The American Heart Association recommends reducing saturated fat intake to less than 6 percent of your daily calories. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), consuming trans fats can negatively affect a person’s health in two different ways. They may also reduce blood levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), or “good,” cholesterol. Whey protein, which is found in dairy products, may account for many of the health benefits attributed to dairy.