Top 5 lifestyle changes to improve your cholesterol Show
Lifestyle changes can help improve your cholesterol — and boost the cholesterol-lowering power of medications. By Mayo Clinic StaffHigh cholesterol increases your risk of heart disease and heart attacks. Medications can help improve your cholesterol. But if you'd rather first make lifestyle changes to improve your cholesterol, try these five healthy changes. If you already take medications, these changes can improve their cholesterol-lowering effect. 1. Eat heart-healthy foodsA few changes in your diet can reduce cholesterol and improve your heart health:
2. Exercise on most days of the week and increase your physical activityExercise can improve cholesterol. Moderate physical activity can help raise high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, the "good" cholesterol. With your doctor's OK, work up to at least 30 minutes of exercise five times a week or vigorous aerobic activity for 20 minutes three times a week. Adding physical activity, even in short intervals several times a day, can help you begin to lose weight. Consider:
To stay motivated, consider finding an exercise buddy or joining an exercise group. 3. Quit smokingQuitting smoking improves your HDL cholesterol level. The benefits occur quickly:
4. Lose weightCarrying even a few extra pounds contributes to high cholesterol. Small changes add up. If you drink sugary beverages, switch to tap water. Snack on air-popped popcorn or pretzels — but keep track of the calories. If you crave something sweet, try sherbet or candies with little or no fat, such as jelly beans. Look for ways to incorporate more activity into your daily routine, such as using the stairs instead of taking the elevator or parking farther from your office. Take walks during breaks at work. Try to increase standing activities, such as cooking or doing yardwork. 5. Drink alcohol only in moderationModerate use of alcohol has been linked with higher levels of HDL cholesterol — but the benefits aren't strong enough to recommend alcohol for anyone who doesn't already drink. If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation. For healthy adults, that means up to one drink a day for women of all ages and men older than age 65, and up to two drinks a day for men age 65 and younger. Too much alcohol can lead to serious health problems, including high blood pressure, heart failure and strokes. If lifestyle changes aren't enough …Sometimes healthy lifestyle changes aren't enough to lower cholesterol levels. If your doctor recommends medication to help lower your cholesterol, take it as prescribed while continuing your lifestyle changes. Lifestyle changes can help you keep your medication dose low. Sign up for free, and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID-19, plus
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. Which lifestyle changes should the be recommended to the client to lower blood lipid levels?Lifestyle changes — If you have high low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, you should try to make some changes in your day-to-day habits, including reducing the amount of total and saturated fat in your diet, losing weight (if you are overweight or obese), getting regular aerobic exercise, and eating plenty of ...
What lifestyle changes can you take to improve your blood lipid profile?Lifestyle Modifications for Lipid Disorders. Eat Healthfully. Consuming a diet low in saturated and trans fats is key for reducing cholesterol and triglyceride levels. ... . Exercise Regularly. ... . Maintain a Healthy Weight. ... . Consume Omega-3 Fatty Acids. ... . Avoid Alcohol.. How can I lower my cholesterol and triglycerides?What's the best way to lower triglycerides?. Exercise regularly. ... . Avoid sugar and refined carbohydrates. ... . Lose weight. ... . Choose healthier fats. Trade saturated fat found in meats for healthier fat found in plants, such as olive and canola oils. ... . Limit how much alcohol you drink.. What happens when lipid profile is high?A lipid profile also typically measures triglycerides, a type of fat in the blood. Having a high triglyceride level also can increase your risk of heart disease. Factors you can control — such as inactivity, obesity and an unhealthy diet — contribute to harmful cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
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