The Best Way to Lower Cholesterol

There is a wide misconception that all cholesterol is detrimental to the body, but cholesterol actually plays an integral role in our health. There are two types of cholesterol: LDL and HDL. According to WebMD.com, LDL is the bad cholesterol that clogs arteries, while HDL, the good cholesterol, helps circulate blood.

The bad cholesterol comes mainly from eating fatty, oily foods, which can also cause health issues like high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease. There are several ways to lower bad cholesterol. A healthy diet, exercise, weight loss and even some medications aid in decreasing LDL.

Proper Diet

Uphold a daily nutritious diet to lower your cholesterol. Vegetables, fruits, lean meats and protein are good for the heart. This does not mean you can gorge on these foods; eat in moderation.

Avoid eating foods like cookies, cakes, high-fat dairy products and potato chips. Buy snacks that are healthy: peanuts, crackers, yogurt and protein bars. Also, avoid alcoholic beverages that contain a lot of sugar. It is okay to have sweets and desserts sometimes, but do not make fattening foods a part of your daily cuisine.

Exercise

Maintain a consistent workout regimen that will help your heart rate. Aim to work out at least twice a week. Find a gym with a wide array of equipment and amenities. Consult a trainer if you feel you need guidance. Engage more in physical activities that you like. Swimming, basketball, running and baseball are all fun activities to perform that will help you burn calories. As long as you are working up a sweat in your activity you should be okay. It is a good idea to purchase a pedometer that will record the number of steps you take daily. This way you can note your progress.

Medications

Consult your doctor before taking any medications to assist you in lowering your cholesterol. More than likely, if you have a combination of high cholesterol and heart disease or diabetes your doctor will prescribe medication. Statins, Ezetimibe, niacin, bile acid resins and fibrates are common cholesterol-lowering medications. Statins are the typically the first choice. This medicine blocks enzymes that aid in creating bad cholesterol.