Cholesterol is a waxy substance that contains fat. They are essential for making new, healthy cells in our bodies. Yes, they do get a bad rap because too much of them can be very unhealthy and dangerous, but the truth is that we need cholesterol for our bodies to function properly. That said, not all cholesterol is the same.
There are, in fact, two kinds of cholesterol, which are LDL (low-density lipoprotein) and HDL (high-density lipoprotein). The first type of cholesterol is considered the bad one. Too much of them can create plaque, putting a person at risk of atherosclerosis, the medical term for hardened arteries. That condition alone can be a risk factor for many medical conditions, especially stroke.
Not only that, but LDL could also cause many heart diseases, vascular issues, etc. On the other hand, HDL is considered good cholesterol, which helps you eliminate bad cholesterol from your body. However, you might think, “What does it mean to have high cholesterol?” High cholesterol usually means high LDL and low HDL, which is dangerous. That said, here are some tips to lower your LDL levels.
Avoid Trans Fats
This might be obvious for many people and can be a bit cliché, but reading the label helps you a lot when it comes to avoiding trans fats. Trans fats, also called hydrogenated oils, are sneaky ingredients that significantly increase your LDL levels.
However, many manufacturers use this ingredient because it makes their products last longer on the shelves. Unfortunately, they are common in most processed foods. That said, if you want to decrease your LDL levels, you should avoid trans fats by reading the food items’ labels when you’re shopping.
Choose the Right Meats
If your fridge looks empty now, and you’re trying to stock it up later, you might want to check your shopping list. There’s an opportunity to be had if you look closely at your choices regarding food items. With this opportunity, you might be able to make some switches that can help you lower your LDL levels.
For example, if your shopping list contains a lot of red meats, you might have to ease up on them. Many red meats contain a lot of saturated fat. Of course, saturated fats can also significantly increase your LDL levels. You can opt for chicken and turkey if you want healthier alternatives.
However, ensure that the chicken and turkey meats you’re buying are skinless. Their skins contain most of their fats. You can also opt for fish, especially tuna. Never go for processed meats if you know what’s good for you. Speaking of fish, they are low in saturated fats, and in fact, they contain omega-3 fatty acids that can help you have a healthier heart and boost your HDL levels.
Stop Smoking
Smoking is a generally bad move if you’re trying to be healthy. You might hear some articles talking about the health benefits of smoking, but in reality, there’s no scientific proof of that yet, and even if there is, experts still believe there are a lot of healthier alternatives. Smoking, however, has a lot of harmful effects on your body.
For example, they significantly increase your LDL while decreasing your HDL. Not only that, but they also promote plaque buildup in your arteries, giving you a higher risk of stroke. With all that said, giving up smoking can be a very healthy decision.
Take Medication
If you talk to your doctor, he may prescribe medications to help you control your LDL levels better. For example, they can prescribe you Rosuvastatin Calcium, which can help you reduce the bad cholesterol the liver makes. Luckily, there is a Rosuvastatin Calcium Savings Offer in select pharmacies and online. Along with this medication, you could also take some supplements like fish oil, Psyllium, and Coenzyme Q10, which can help you lower your LDL levels while increasing your HDL levels.
Choose Healthier Oils
We’ve mentioned oils a few times in this article now, and for good reason. Most people usually use substances like butter and margarine when they’re cooking. However, you should opt for healthier alternatives like olive, sunflower, or grapeseed oil instead of using them. Butter and margarine are solid fats, which means they are high in saturated fats, which we discussed earlier. As mentioned earlier in this article, solid fats significantly increase LDL, which is bad for your health. So, instead of using these substances, you can try healthier options.
Final Words
LDL is bad and HDL is good, which is basically what we’re saying in this article. It’s important to follow the tips we discussed above if you don’t want many health risks coming your way because of the abundance of LDL in your body. Certain lifestyle changes should be your first line of defense if your cholesterol is out of balance.
