Cholesterol Management – 8 Tips You Should Know

Cholesterol is an important factor in maintaining a healthy lifestyle and can be managed with the right knowledge. In this blog post we look discuss cholesterol management and provide you with 8 tips to help you to maintain a healthy heart!

What is Cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a type of fat found in your blood. Cholesterol can also be found in animal products like eggs, meat and cheese as well as certain plant based foods such as avocados, coconut oil or nuts.

What is Good and Bad Cholesterol?

Good Cholesterol: HDL Cholesterol – High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol is typically seen as the “good cholesterol” because it can help remove LDL Cholesterol from your body and transport it to your liver which will then secrete some of its contents into bile, where they are eliminated. Bad Cholesterol: LDL Cholesterol – Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol is typically seen as the “bad cholesterol” because it can build up on your artery walls which causes them to narrow, increasing your risk of heart disease or stroke.

The Risks of High Cholesterol

Having high levels of LDL Cholesterol is a major risk factor for heart disease or stroke. This is due to the way in which cholesterol can deposit in your arteries causing them to narrow, which reduces blood flow.

Treatment for High Cholesterol

If you have high cholesterol there are medications that your doctor may prescribe such as statins or bile acid sequestrants. They work by reducing the production of cholesterol in the liver. If you have high cholesterol, your doctor may also recommend that you limit foods that are high in cholesterol or saturated fat such as fatty cuts of meat and dairy products. Here are some tips for controlling cholesterol levels:

1. Eat lots of green vegetables and fruits, every day.
2. Increase intake of healthy fats like olives, avocados and nuts.
3. Limit foods high in saturated fat like butter, cheese or fatty meats.
4. Consume low sugar beverages such as water rather than sodas with added sugars.
5. Eat an adequate amount of fibre per day by increasing intake of whole grains, fresh fruits, vegetables and legumes.
6. Limit intake of cholesterol from cholesterol containing foods by choosing lean meats, poultry without skin and low fat dairy products.
7. Exercise regularly for at least 30 minutes a day on most days to promote healthy cholesterol levels.
8. Maintain a healthy weight – if you are overweight, losing just five percent of your body weight can improve cholesterol levels.

If you’re concerned about your cholesterol levels or managing cholesterol, it’s very important that you speak with a GP and have your levels checked regularly. Book an appointment by calling us on 07 5531 3205 or via our online booking portal.