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Hearing that you have high cholesterol is never good news. It’s usually announced by the doctor once you’ve had some labs done as part of your annual checkup. If your cholesterol is really high or you’ve been high for too long, medications are usually discussed.
If you maintain high cholesterol, it can lead to hardening of the arteries, strokes, and heart attacks.
Don’t want to be on meds? There are plenty of diet and lifestyle changes you can make so you can manage your cholesterol naturally.
Eliminate “Bad” Fats
Trans and saturated fats are considered “bad.” Harvard Medical School suggests decreasing your intake of these fats. Be careful not to intake more sugar as you decrease these fats, though.
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Increase “Good” Fats
Increasing your good fats lowers your LDL (the bad form of cholesterol). Such foods include olive oil, peanut oil, and other plant-based oils. Various fish like salmon, tuna, and herring can also help you get these oils into your diet.
Increase Fiber Intake
More soluble fiber added to your diet is what the Mayo Clinic recommends. This includes such food sources as darker fruits and veggies, nuts, beans, and whole grains.
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Exercise Frequently
Exercise is capable of impacting your cholesterol level (and can help you lose weight, too). It’s suggested that you do aerobic exercises for at least 30 minutes a day, four times a week.
Reduce Stress
Stress is capable of driving cholesterol numbers up. This means that you should actively work to reduce stress, whether it’s with yoga, deep breathing exercises, or just socializing to let off some steam.
None of this sounds too hard, right? With a bit of effort, you can keep your cholesterol down in order to lead a healthier life.