Reduce Your Risk of Heart Disease through Lowering Cholesterol

Cholesterol can help your body to build new cells and hormones. Cholesterol enters your body from your diet. The major contributors of high cholesterol diets are animal foods, milk, eggs and meat. High level of cholesterol in your body is a risk factor for heart disease.

Can high cholesterol cause heart disease?

Higher levels of cholesterol in your blood can build up its parts in the walls of your arteries, causing atherosclerosis. This makes your arteries narrowed and blood flow to the heart is blocked. If enough blood cannot reach your heart, you may suffer and the result will be a heart attack.

There are two forms of cholesterol. They are Low-density lipoprotein (LDL known as “bad” cholesterol) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL known as “good” cholesterol.) Low-density lipoprotein - LDL is the main source of artery clogging. HDL helps to clear the cholesterol from the blood. Triglycerides are also fat content in our blood. Higher levels of triglycerides can also cause heart disease.

How can you reduce your risk of heart disease?

You need to control high blood pressure if you are suffering from it and stop smoking habits. A low saturated fat diet and low cholesterol eating plan will be very helpful. Maintain a desirable weight and participate in regular physical activity. Some of the drugs which are used to treat high cholesterol are as follows: fibric acid derivatives, niacin, bile-acid resins and statins. Avoid grapefruit juice while taking cholesterol-lowering drugs, because it can interfere with the liver’s function.

Can exercise and diet help to lower cholesterol?

Cholesterol-lowering medicine can be effective if they are combined with a low-cholesterol diet and regular exercise. There are some food items that can reduce your cholesterol level. They include herbals and vitamins.

Fruits and Vegetables are very needful. Citrus fruit, apples, berries, carrots and cabbage are having soluble fiber and pectin. These fresh fruits and vegetables are good for your health and you can also prevent many disorders. Nuts such as almonds and walnuts contain monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fat which helps to lower your cholesterol level. Eating the almonds with the skins is beneficial if you have elevated cholesterol.

You can avoid eating egg yolks. However you can eat egg white. Try the soy and rice milks and skim milk for better health. Fish with omega3 acids can prevent blood clotting and lower your blood cholesterol. Olive Oil can also lower blood cholesterol. You can use olive oil instead of animal fats to lower your cholesterol and improve your health. Oats and Barley have a soluble fiber to lower your cholesterol. So, you can consume two to four cups of oats and barley everyday to reduce the cholesterol level.

Will you get any side effects due to cholesterol-lowering drugs?

There are some side effects of cholesterol-lowering drugs. They are as follows: abnormal liver function, skin rashes, abdominal pain, heartburn, decreased sexual desire, dizziness and constipation