High cholesterol is a common problem in adults mostly over the age of 40 but sometimes in young adults as well. It is extremely important to control cholesterol as it is a major contributor to clots, strokes, heart diseases and even heart attacks. If high cholesterol becomes a major health problem, it is typically controlled with the help of prescription drugs, which can cause undesirable side effects. You can also control cholesterol naturally by making a few changes to your diet and lifestyle. These simple changes also align your lifestyle for better and healthy living.

When you suffer from high cholesterol, it is important to watch what you eat. Fat content in the diet greatly affects cholesterol levels and consuming food high in fat is bound to increase cholesterol in the body. There are two types of fat found in foods – saturated and unsaturated. Unsaturated fats are in fact good for the body and helps in lowering cholesterol. They are normally found in fruits and vegetables and it is advisable to include these in your diet. Saturated fat is usually found in animal-based foods and it increases the risk of heart diseases. This is the fat type that accumulates in your arteries and chokes the flow of blood.

For a balanced diet, it is necessary to include a portion of lean meat or poultry. They provide your body with the right balance of proteins, fats and other nutrients. Take a lot of fruits and vegetables also – they are fiber, minerals and vitamins rich. Make sure you know the intake of fat and calories with every meal and stick to fat free or low fat dairy products. Consult a dietician who will help you plan exercises and meals that will work best for you. Some good diet and exercise routines are also available over the internet and in good diet books. However, it is always a good idea to check with your doctor about the safety and effectiveness of the diet you are planning to follow. Starving yourself is not the idea here, but having a well balanced and low saturated fat diet is certainly the aim.

Apart from a healthy diet, you should also adopt a healthy lifestyle. Regular exercise goes a long way in controlling cholesterol levels in your body. Exercise also helps in regulating your weight, as being overweight increases risks of high blood pressure and heart diseases. Engage in physical activities like swimming, bicycling, jogging or join a gym for daily workouts. Alternatively, you can try aerobics and dance classes. Exercising helps burn the extra fat in your body and rids you of its harmful effects. The additional benefit of course is that you stay in great shape and look good.

Smoking also adds to the risk by lowering HDL or good cholesterol and is a major contributing factor to lung diseases, cancers and even heart diseases. So give up smoking for a better and healthier life. Though there is no direct link between alcohol and cholesterol, it is advisable to consume it in moderate amounts to prevent liver problems.

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Category: Wellness, Fitness and Diet
Keywords: cholesterol, health, diet, exercise, quit smoking