Are There Ways to Manage High Cholesterol Levels?
Yes, there are ways to manage high cholesterol levels, including the following: • Increase HDL (“good”) cholesterol levels and decrease LDL (“bad”) cholesterol by getting regular aerobic exercise. Exercise also helps relax blood vessels and lowers blood pressure. • Lower LDL cholesterol by eating foods low in saturated fat, cholesterol, and trans fat. You can replace these bad fat foods with foods high in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. This includes eating fish with omega-3 fatty acids like salmon. In addition, eating soluble fibers — such as guar gum, oats, pectin, and psyllium — will help reduce LDL cholesterol. So will cholesterol-lowering foods, such as margarines, enriched with plant sterols and stanols. • Medications such as statins help lower LDL cholesterol levels. They also help lower triglycerides and slightly increase HDL cholesterol levels. Statins reduce the risk of heart disease in many people. If your cholesterol is high, it will take time and effort to impr
