How to Lower Cholesterol
There are many ways that you can lower your cholesterol levels. Some people may need to take the medication to achieve this, while others may make lifestyle changes that will help them reach and maintain a healthy cholesterol level.
Some of the most effective methods for lowering cholesterol include:
Eating a healthy diet:
A healthy diet is essential for maintaining a healthy weight and reducing your risk of heart disease and other health conditions. Therefore, it is vital to include plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains in your diet and limit your intake of saturated fats and processed foods.
Exercising regularly:
Exercise is another essential part of a healthy lifestyle. It helps reduce your risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, and some types of cancer.
Exercising can be anything that you enjoy doing. You do not need to join a gym or buy lots of equipment to exercise regularly. Simply taking a walk around your local area, doing household chores more often, or playing sports is also an effective form of exercise.
Reducing stress levels:
Stress has been shown to raise cholesterol levels in some people. However, there are many ways that you can lower your stress levels, including exercising regularly (mentioned above), getting enough sleep at night, practicing relaxation techniques such as yoga or meditation, spending time with friends and family members who make you feel happy, and relaxed, listening to relaxing, finding new hobbies so that you do not think about stress so often, and others.
Keeping track of your cholesterol levels:
Keeping track of your cholesterol levels can help you see how well the lifestyle changes that you’re making are affecting your health. In addition, this information may be helpful to share with your healthcare provider during future appointments.
How to lower cholesterol without medication:
There are many ways to lower your cholesterol levels without relying on medication. One of the best ways to achieve this is by making simple changes to your diet. Some of the best foods to eat if you want to lower your cholesterol include:
Olive oil:
Olive oil is a healthy monounsaturated fat that can help to reduce harmful cholesterol levels and increase good cholesterol levels. Try substituting olive oil for other oils or adding it to salads or vegetables when cooking.
Nuts:
Nuts are a great source of fiber, protein, and unsaturated fats, which can help lower cholesterol levels. Walnuts, almonds, and pistachios are all especially beneficial in this regard.
Soy:
Soy is one of the best sources of protein that you can eat if you want to lower your cholesterol. It contains several beneficial compounds that help reduce harm and increase good cholesterol levels.
Whole grains:
Whole-grain foods such as brown rice, whole-wheat bread, pasta, and oatmeal are excellent fiber sources, B vitamins, antioxidants, and phytonutrients. The fiber in these foods works to lower LDL cholesterol levels and triglyceride levels. Antioxidants found in whole grains such as selenium help protect against oxidative stress that can damage cholesterol particles.
Drink green tea:
Green tea has been shown to reduce harmful LDL levels and increase good HDL levels. It also contains antioxidants that work to enhance the way your liver metabolizes cholesterol.
Beans:
Beans are an excellent source of fiber, protein, and other compounds that help lower cholesterol levels. Red beans, black beans, kidney beans, soybeans, lentils, and lima beans contain high amounts of these beneficial compounds.
Garlic:
Garlic is effective at reducing LDL cholesterol levels and blood pressure readings. Not only does it have antioxidant properties, but it can also lower triglyceride levels during long-term treatment periods. However, it is essential to note that healthcare professionals do not usually recommend garlic supplements unless they are prescribed for specific medical treatments due to potentially harmful side effects.
Fiber:
Fiber helps lower LDL cholesterol levels and slows down the rate at which food is broken down in the stomach, keeping you feeling fuller for more extended periods. Some of the best sources of fiber include bran flakes, fruit, nuts, legumes, beans, oatmeal, whole wheat bread, and kinds of pasta.
Olive Leaf Extract:
Olive leaf extract has anti-inflammatory properties that help improve your cholesterol levels naturally by working with your liver to help break down excess cholesterol in your body more efficiently.
Supplements to lower cholesterol:
Omega 3 Fatty Acids: Omega 3 fatty acids can help to lower your LDL cholesterol levels while also increasing your HDL levels. The best sources of omega-3 are wild-caught fish such as salmon, sardines, tuna, mackerel, and herring. It is important to note that you should avoid farm-raised fish due to the high amounts of antibiotics and other chemicals found in their food supply.
Niacin (also known as Vitamin B3):
Niacin has been shown to reduce harmful LDL cholesterol and increase healthy HDL cholesterol levels. It can effectively treat low HDL levels alongside high triglycerides or high LDL cholesterol levels without any history of heart disease. It would be best to talk with a doctor before taking niacin supplements to ensure proper treatment.
Cholesterol-Lowering Herbs:
Some herbs have been shown to help lower cholesterol levels. These herbs include artichoke leaf, bitter melon, black cohosh, bupleurum, chamomile, cinnamon, dandelion leaf, and root, garlic, ginger, hawthorn berry, and leaf, hops strobiles, licorice root, lovage root, nettle leaf and root, oat straw, onion bulb and skin, pennyroyal herb, saw palmetto fruit extract, St. John’s wort herb, turmeric rhizome. Before using these herbs, please talk with a healthcare professional to ensure they are the proper treatment.
How to reduce LDL cholesterol:
There are some ways that you can reduce your LDL cholesterol levels. Some of the best methods include:
-Eating a healthy diet that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
-Exercising regularly
-Maintaining a healthy weight
-Quitting smoking
-Avoiding excessive alcohol consumption
-Taking medication prescribed by a doctor to lower cholesterol levels if necessary.
How to reduce cholesterol naturally:
There are some ways to reduce your cholesterol levels naturally without medication. Some of the best methods include:
-Eating a healthy diet that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
-Exercising regularly
-Maintaining a healthy weight
-Quitting smoking
-Avoiding excessive alcohol consumption
If necessary, take supplements such as omega-3 fatty acids, niacin, and cholesterol-lowering herbs.