Lose Weight and Lower Cholesterol
High-fat diet contributes to high cholesterol and obesity
Whether you have a family history of high cholesterol or support the high levels of cholestrol with a high fat diet, these tips will help you lower your cholesterol.
One of the obvious risk factors for high cholesterol is a family history of high cholesterol. But the next likely cause of high levels of cholesterol is too much fat in your diet. A high-fat diet combined with little or no exercise is a major factor in getting high cholesterol and heart disease.
The good news is that once your lab results show the high cholesterol level, it is a warning sign and you can do something about it to protect your heart. The first thing you will want to do is examine your diet and cut or reduce the amount of transfats you eat. This may mean opting for lower-fat versions of foods you already eat or omitting them from your diet altogether to get your cholesterol back to a healthy level.
The other part of the equation is exercise. Walking is the best form of exercise for lowering cholesterol and it is easy on your joints. You don’t have to start out walking a marathon, but you can start out with 15-minute segments and work your way up as it gets easier for you.
Obesity and high cholesterol are often linked. By losing weight you will be able to lower your cholesterol levels and maintain a healthy heart.
Tips for Losing Weight and Lowering Cholesterol:
- Reduce fat intake
- Avoid fatty meats, full fat cheese and dairy, butter and cream
- Add heart healthy items like vegetables, olive oil, nuts, oats and barley to your diet
- Protect your heart with daily exercise
- Manage stress effectively
- Drink green tea
If you are eating healthy and exercising, but still can’t get your cholesterol levels down, it may be time to talk to your doctor about prescription medicines that can help.
