Keep Your Cholesterol In Check!
Author: Shannon Miller
As we get older, there are many things we have to make sure are “in check.” Our cholesterol levels are no exception.
Having too much cholesterol in our systems can cause heart disease or heart attack. The good news is that we can visit our healthcare provider to have our cholesterol levels checked.
It’s comforting to know that there are some known items that can affect the amount of cholesterol in our bodies such as:
- Family history – high cholesterol can run in families.
- Age – as we age, our cholesterol levels increase.
- Weight – losing extra weight can help in lowering cholesterol levels.
Two other things that can affect our cholesterol levels and that we probably have the most control over are diet and exercise.
- Maintain a low-cholesterol diet:
- Eat less saturated fats which can be found in animal products (i.e. butter, cream, fatty meats) and tropical oils (i.e. palm, palm kernel, and coconut oil).
- Eat foods that are high in fiber like oatmeal, oat bran, beans, and lentils.
- Get your fill of vegetables and fruits.
- Get Your Motor Runnin’! Exercising on a regular basis can help you lose weight and raise your HDL (which is good cholesterol). Try to engage in moderate exercise at least 2.5 hours per week with activities like:
- Speed walking
- Swimming
- Aerobics
TIP: Keep yourself “in check” by making your health a priority!
Source: “Get Your Cholesterol Checked”, Healthfinder, 1 Feb 2011.