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Factors that influence cholesterol:
The
following factors aid in increasing your cholesterol levels:
1. Poor eating habits and a diet that is high in saturated fat.
Saturated fats are mostly found in animal foods.
These fats raise your LDL ("bad")
levels more than anything else your diet. Consuming a high
percentage of saturated fat is the main reason for high levels of
cholesterol as well as high rates of heart attacks.
2. Smoking Cigarettes lower HDL ("good") cholesterol levels:
Cigarette smoke is one of the six major risk factors of heart disease. It
also increases the tendency for blood clots to occur. As soon as a person
stops smoking, the HDL (good) cholesterol levels rise within weeks
to acceptable levels.
3. Excess Weight:
Excess weight tends to increase your LDL ("bad")
cholesterol level. If you are over weight and have high
LDL-cholesterol level, the only way to lower the high levels of LDL is to lose
unwanted weight.
4. Genetics:
One can also inherit these
high levels of LDL in that increases your cholesterol. Genes play a role in influencing you LDL-cholesterol level. Your genes influence how your LDL
("bad") cholesterol, by affecting how fast LDL is made and
removed from the blood.
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5. Stress:
Long term effects from stress has proven to raise
blood cholesterol levels. One way how stress
operates, is by affecting your habits. For example, when some
people are under stress, they console themselves by eating fatty
foods.
6. Alcohol intake: Alcohol intake increases HDL ("good")
cholesterol (believe it or not), but does not lower LDL ("bad")cholesterol.
Obviously,
drinking too much alcohol can damage the liver and heart muscle,
lead to high blood pressure, and raise triglycerides. Due to the risks of over
indulgence, this is not seen as a long term benefit!
The following factors help lower cholesterol: 1. Good Eating Habits:
Eating healthy is a vital part of lowering
you cholesterol. Increase fiber intake by as little as 3 grams
per day and you can help lower cholesterol. Good sources include oatmeal, soy,
legumes, some vegetables, and beans. A healthy diet includes minimal
saturated fat. However, monounsaturated fats (olive oils) have a
positive effect on cholesterol.
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2. Exercise Along with diet: Staying fit by exercising
will also help to maintain healthy cholesterol levels. Being physically active
can help lower you cholesterol level, whether it involves
everyday activities like cleaning or gardening or structured
exercise program. Exercise sets off a series of enzymatic
reactions in the body that increases HDL's and lowers
triglycerides. This will ultimately lower LDL's ("bad") and
total cholesterol.
3. Weight Loss
Undoubtedly this is the most significant, independent
contributor to cholesterol reduction. While exercise and proper
diet contribute to cholesterol reduction, in most cases weight loss must occur
to see an improvement.
After reading this, surely you have realized the
seriousness of the matter. Take action today and ensure a healthy
lifestyle!
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