High cholesterol: Nutritionist reveals top prevention tips
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There are two types of cholesterol, good cholesterol and bad cholesterol. Good cholesterol is called HDL, High-Density Lipoprotein. This protects the heart and absorbs bad cholesterol. This comes in the form of LDL, Low-Density Lipoprotein, that gathers in the arteries and blocks them.
There are many ways of lowering your cholesterol.
One of the most effective of these is to change your diet to make it more balanced, healthier.
The NHS suggests you should try and eat more fish.
This includes mackerel and the ever so popular salmon.
Brown rice, bread and pasta are also additions to your diet you should consider to lower your cholesterol as well as nuts and seeds.
Fruit and veg should also become common features of your diet to lower your cholesterol, says the National Health Service.
In terms of what you shouldn’t eat, it is suggested that you try and avoid fatty meats like sausages.
Furthermore, don’t consume butter, lard or ghee in large quantities.
If you have a tendency to snack on products high in sugar like biscuits or cake, avoid them and products with coconut oil and palm oil too.
It’s not just what goes into your body, it’s what you do with it whilst it’s there that should change.
Try to exercise regularly, at least two and a half hours a week.
Through walking, swimming, or cycling you’ll get fitter, lose weight, and feel better.
Other lifestyle changes to make include quitting smoking and cutting down on alcohol.
If you quit smoking not only will you reduce the rate your cholesterol rises, but you’ll also lower your risk of developing cancer and heart disease.
You can also take medicine to lower your cholesterol if it hasn’t gone down after making lifestyle changes or if you’re at high risk of heart attack or stroke.
The most common medicine used to treat high cholesterol are statins.
Statins can reduce the amount of cholesterol your body produces.
Statins aren’t the only form of medication you can take ezetimibe, fibrates, bile acid sequestrants and bempedoic acid are available in tablet form.
Injections of alirocumab and evolocumab can be used to treat high cholesterol.
If you have any queries or concerns, don’t hesitate to consult with your GP.
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