"No more!"... is probably what you said when you promised yourself that you would never eat greasy or processed foods again. The next thing you knew, you were grabbing a cholesterol-laden bite to eat from your favorite fast food joint. "Oh no, not again!"
To be sure it's a vicious cycle for most of us. And with hectic lifestyles and the lack of discipline most people have these days, it's no surprise to learn that high cholesterol is one of the leading health problems of our generation.
Cholesterol is produced by the liver and some of it is used by the body for important functions. However, if the amount produced is constantly in excess of the body's requirements, it can lead to blockage of the arteries which may ultimately cause a heart attack. That's why it is vitally important that avoid these extreme risks to your health and longevity, by trying these five natural ways to reduce your cholesterol levels:
#1: Make Lifestyle Changes
We've heard it all before, 'make lifestyle changes'. There is a good reason for saying it and an even better one for doing it. The modern western lifestyle is wreaking havoc on the health of many. The perfect way to lower high cholesterol levels is to maintain a healthy lifestyle. At the most basic level, this means that you need to eat a well-balanced diet and exercise regularly.
#2: Improve Your Diet
Better health does not come about by simply adding 'good' foods to your existing food intake. It requires replacement of less healthy foods and food types with those known to support health rather than destroy it. You can begin your dietary improvements by avoiding foods that are too rich in fats, sodium and starch.
There are also plenty of foods that, when incorporated in your daily meals, will help you reduce cholesterol naturally, such as apples, raspberries, strawberries, blueberries and other high-fiber fruits.
You also need to eat foods that contain soluble fiber, which is found in most fruits and vegetables. These fibers will attach themselves to cholesterol, taking excess along as they get flushed out of the body.
#3: Watch Your Cooking Methods
Most of the bad cholesterol that is contained in food is added during the preparation process. Therefore, changing the methods of cooking can also be crucial if you want to reduce cholesterol naturally. Instead of frying, for instance, you can opt to cook your food in a healthy manner so that it is fat-free. If you do have to fry, use olive oil instead of your ordinary cooking oil.
#4: Include Omega 3 Fatty Acids
The importance of omega 3 cannot be underestimated. If you want to reduce cholesterol naturally, then you need to eat plenty of foods rich in omega 3 fatty acids like tuna, cod and salmon, which are known to have very high levels good cholesterol.
Omega 3 fatty acids work by reversing the damage caused by bad cholesterol in the body. If you don't have access to fresh fish, you can take flaxseed oil as a suitable replacement.
#5: Exercise Regularly
Apart from your diet, you can also reduce your cholesterol levels by exercising regularly and maintaining a healthy weight. Remember to speak with your doctor before embarking on any new exercise program.
Following these five tips has no negative side effects and you can start right now. Managing your cholesterol levels certainly requires effort but all of your hard work will be well worth it... because you're worth it!.
