HEALTH - Cholesterol lowering tips

Facts and tips around cholesterol

 

What is cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a solid, white, waxy substance that your body needs to make hormones and essential cell components. Most of the cholesterol in your body is made in the liver, but cholesterol is also present in some foods.

Why is it a problem?

Too much cholesterol in the blood will block your coronary arteries, which carry blood to the heart muscle. The heart is starved of oxygen, increasing the risk of a heart attack.

How do I get my cholesterol levels tested?

Ask your doctor for a simple blood test. A cholesterol test measures your LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol), HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol), triglycerides and total cholesterol levels.

Top cholesterol lowering tips

• Drop the salt: Excess salt in the diet can cause blood pressure to rise. Around 75 per cent of the salt we eat comes from processed foods,  so check the label and choose the brand with the lowest sodium content.
• Eat fibre: Soluble fibre can help lower cholesterol reabsorption, and assist with blood glucose level control. Find it in oat bran, barley bran, wheat bran, rolled oats, legumes, wholemeal breads, cereals, fruit and vegetables. It can be difficult to meet recommended daily requirements of fibre; fibre supplements like Metamucil are a great way to supplement your daily fibre needs and help lower cholesterol when taken in conjunction with a balanced, healthy diet.
• Get moving: Exercise can help with lowering the risk of heart disease. Exercise at least 30 minutes a day, 3–5 times a week.
• Eat good fats: Avoid having too many foods containing saturated and trans fats such as meat, full cream dairy, baked goods and fried foods. Instead eat foods like fish, nuts and avocados.
• Stop smoking: Regular smoking increases the possibility of a heart attack in people with chronic heart problems. Persistence is the key when it comes to quitting smoking!
• Stress less: Too much stress is not good for your health. It’s important to find a way to manage your stress levels.

This promotion is brought to you by Metamucil. 

Source: http://www.bodyandsoul.com.au/