Keep Bad Cholesterol At Bay With Dietary And Lifestyle Changes

Posted by kunal joshi on September 20th, 2018

If you were thinking about what is cholesterol, you should know that most men and women globally have undesirable cholesterol levels. Cholesterol leads to building up of fatty deposits and plaque on the artery walls and this causes heart ailments and problems with the blood vessels. 20% of cholesterol or dietary cholesterol is directly linked to what we eat. This is transported into our bodies through lipoproteins. LDL or low density lipoproteins usually play a crucial role in transporting cholesterol to the body and we usually call this bad cholesterol. HDL is good cholesterol and this carries LDL away from the walls of your arteries. HDL also prevents blood clotting and blood flow problems.

If you want to know how to reduce cholesterol, well, you should consume foods that are naturally rich in soluble fiber. Oats, oat bran, barley, peas, yams, sweet potatoes, beans, peas, etc. are some of the best things to consume for anyone on the lookout for how to reduce bad cholesterol. One should limit the intake of foods that have a high quantity of saturated fats, trans fats, and dietary cholesterol. These include butter, red meat, full-fat and low-fat dairy products, palm oil, and coconut oil. Cold water fish like salmon, mackerel, halibut, trout, herring, etc. are amongst foods that lower cholesterol.Opt for low-fat dairy products, healthy oils such as olive oil, and flaxseed oil in place of butter. The fruit and vegetable intake in your diet should be increased. Legumes are a great way to reduce cholesterol. Chickpeas, lentils, beans, and peas are good for people who suffer from high cholesterol levels. Other sources include walnuts, almonds, and ground flaxseeds.

If you are keen to know how to reduce LDL cholesterol, keep in mind that limited physical activity, unhealthy dietary habits and habits like smoking often lead to high cholesterol levels in the body. Taking a brisk walk daily, riding your bike to work, taking up a sports, or swimming are some of the ways in which you can make a difference. Even simple things such as taking the stairs instead of the elevator or doing a few sit-ups will prove to be helpful.