Natural Ways to Lower Cholesterol

How to Reduce Cholesterol and Maintain it

High Cholesterol affects millions of people in America and in the UK every year. The most natural ways to lower cholesterol are all lifestyle-related.

You too can win the Cholesterol war. Perhaps you’ve been diagnosed with high cholesterol; and the doctor has told you to change your diet, exercise more, and maybe even placed you on some medication prescriptions.

But if you are anything like me, the thought of being on medication for your entire life is not something you want to even think of. But, how about natural ways to lower cholesterol? Of course!

Reducing your cholesterol level will reduce your heart disease (Cardiovascular disease) risk.

The fact that you are reading this article alone shows that you are serious about your health, and that you have decided to win in this. Lowering cholesterol without medication is possible, and can be done easily, but not without commitment. The problem is already half-solved once you’ve made a decision to lower your cholesterol level. So, well done and give yourself a pat on the back!

5 Ways to Lower Cholesterol

The best way to lower cholesterol is through natural means. Here are the most natural ways to lower cholesterol:

1. Dietary changes: this is probably the main factor that will have the most influence on lowering your cholesterol level. So you see, you have a choice to a large extent! Not all types of cholesterol are bad for you.

There are two main types: HDL (High-density lipoprotein) and LDL (Low-density lipoprotein).

HDL is known as “good” cholesterol while LDL is known as “bad” cholesterol. LDL can contribute to building up

plaque around the human artery. If the artery becomes blocked, it can lead to a heart attack, or a stroke if it’s an artery linked to the brain. HDL on the other hand, can help reduce LDL.

2. Take regular exercise. Any kind of exercise that you feel comfortable with is good for your heart.

Walking, swimming, jogging, riding, anything that will get your heart working is a great move. Try to include little things like walking up the stairs instead of taking the lifts, and taking a short walk after sitting down for a long while. Any kind of sedentary lifestyle will probably work against lowering your cholesterol levels.

3. If you are overweight, start working on losing some of those pounds. Being obese or overweight is likely to deter your heart from functioning properly. It also will increase your chances of heart disease. Going on a diet is not necessarily a good idea. You will quickly find that diets are temporary. If you do not change your lifestyle and eating habits, you will put the weight back on and be back to square one in no time! And that can be quite discouraging or depressing.

4. Try to avoid stress. The usual reactions to stress are over-eating and over-indulging in unhealthy foods; which in turn cancel out some of the most natural ways to lower cholesterol. Stress can also lead to depression.

Anger and bitterness will also only lead to more stress, so try to avoid those at all costs.

5. If you smoke, you should know that quitting smoking is another of the natural ways to lower cholesterol.

Smoking increases your heart disease risk.

Summing up, you now have top notch information on how to reduce cholesterol. Commitment to healthy eating habits and regular exercise is at the heart of your winning the cholesterol war. Without commitment and planning, you are not likely to achieve your goal of successfully living out the natural ways to lower cholesterol. Failing to plan is planning to fail.

The information here is for general guidance only.
Talk to your doctor before making any changes to your diet and lifestyle.