Three Ways To Reduce Cholesterol

By Joe Dungait

If you're looking to reduce cholesterol levels and you go to discuss this with a physician, chances are that you will more than likely be put on medication such as statins. You need to be very wary before starting this medication because once you are on it, it is a lifetime prescription; and on top of that it does have some pretty nasty side effects too which include severe muscle pain and weakness, and let us not forget that your heart is a muscle as well. Fortunately there are natural ways to reduce cholesterol, so before getting started on medication you may want to give these three little steps to try first.

1.Exercise - We all know that we should exercise more, however when we think of exercising it brings up horror images of expensive gym memberships and killing ourselves on treadmills. Fortunately to help reduce cholesterol this does not have to be the scenario as scientists now appreciate that it is the duration of the exercise and not the intensity that is important. So, the duration needs to be approximately 30 minutes a day five times a week or so and the exercise could be anything of your choice such as brisk walking, cycling or even swimming.

2.Diet - The cholesterol levels in your body are mainly decided by the amount that your liver creates. The food you eat only plays a tiny part in the amount of cholesterol that is created. However, it does play a part so therefore there are certain foods that we want to avoid and certain foods that we want to include to help balance cholesterol levels. The main foods to avoid are foods containing saturated fats such as red meats and dairy, but more importantly the food you really want to avoid is fast food and ready-made meals because these often contain hydrogenated oils which then turn into trans fats and can really help to spike your bad cholesterol. The foods that you want to include to help boost your good cholestero arel oily fish such as salmon and tuna, and also foods like a oat bran and oatmeal because of the soluble fiber that they contain.

3.Nutritional Supplements-- It is also worthwhile taking nutritional supplements to help control your good and bad cholesterol levels. In particular you should be looking for nutritional supplements that contain ingredients such as policosanol (which has been found to be as effective as statins), theaflavins and phytosterols. In the main what you are looking for a nutritional supplement to do is to lower the bad cholesterol, increase good cholesterol and take any excess bad cholesterol and change it into bile salts to be excreted from the body.

Following these three step will not have a dramatic affect overnight, however given the little bit of time they will help to reduce your cholesterol levels. So why not give them a go before opting to go on medication for the rest of your life? - 32389

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