How to lower cholesterol

Lifestyle changes and medical interventions to improve cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease

There are a few things you can do to help lower your cholesterol:

• Eat a healthy diet that is low in saturated and trans fats.

• Exercise regularly.

• Quit smoking.

• Take cholesterol-lowering medications as prescribed by your doctor.

What happens when you have high cholesterol

High cholesterol can lead to a buildup of plaque in your arteries, which can narrow or block them. This can cause a heart attack, stroke, or other serious problems.

Diet to lower cholesterol

A diet to lower cholesterol should include plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. It should also include lean protein sources such as fish, poultry, and beans. Fatty fish such as salmon are especially beneficial for lowering cholesterol.

Exercise to lower cholesterol

• Start by walking for at least 30 minutes every day. Walking is a great way to lower cholesterol and improve your overall health.

• Add some cardio exercises to your routine. Cardio exercises help to raise your HDL (good) cholesterol levels and lower your LDL (bad) cholesterol levels.

• Strength training is also a great way to lower cholesterol. Strength-training helps to increase your HDL (good) cholesterol levels while simultaneously lowering your LDL (bad) cholesterol levels.

• Make sure to eat a healthy diet as well. Eating foods that are high in fiber and low in saturated fat can help to lower your cholesterol levels significantly.

What food increases good cholesterol

Some foods that have been shown to increase levels of HDL cholesterol include:

• oats,

• barley and other whole grains,

• beans,

• eggs,

• nuts,

• olive oil,

• avocados, and

• fatty fish.

What food is high in trans fats

Cooking oils, margarine, shortening, and some types of peanut butter are high in trans fats.

Quit smoking to lower cholesterol

Smoking is one of the worst things you can do for your cholesterol levels. It damages the lining of your arteries, making them more likely to become blocked. It also raises your LDL (bad) cholesterol and lowers your HDL (good) cholesterol. If you smoke, quitting is one of the best things you can do to improve your cholesterol levels.

How to quit smoking

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the best way to quit smoking may vary depending on the individual. However, some tips that may help include setting a quit date and making a plan, telling friends and family about your decision to quit, removing cigarettes and other tobacco products from your home and workplace, avoiding triggers that make you want to smoke, and seeking support from a healthcare professional or quitting smoking support group.

Medications to lower cholesterol

Some cholesterol-lowering medications include statins, bile acid sequestrants, and nicotinic acid.

Statins are a class of drugs that work by inhibiting the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase, which is needed for the body to make cholesterol. Statins can be given as a pill or injection. Commonly prescribed statins include atorvastatin (Lipitor), lovastatin (Mevacor), and simvastatin (Zocor).

Bile acid sequestrants are another class of cholesterol-lowering drugs. These drugs bind to bile acids in the intestine and prevent them from being reabsorbed into the bloodstream. This forces the liver to use more cholesterol to make new bile acids, which lowers blood cholesterol levels. Bile acid sequestrants can be given as a pill or powder that is mixed with water. Commonly prescribed bile acid sequestrants include cholestyramine (Prevalite) and colestipol (Colestid).

Nicotinic acid is a form of vitamin B3 that works by reducing triglyceride levels and increasing HDL ("good") cholesterol levels. Nicotinic acid can be given as a pill or injection.

Where can you find help to treat high cholesterol

There are many ways to find help for high cholesterol. You can speak with your doctor or a registered dietitian to develop a plan to lower your cholesterol. Additionally, there are many resources available online and in print that can provide tips and advice for reducing cholesterol.