What is cholesterol?
Cholesterol is something many of us consume too much of on a daily basis, and consume to little of the foods that fight it. According to the Mayo Clinic, cholesterol is a waxy substance that is found in fats that our bodies use to build healthy cells. Therefore, it is something crucial to healthy body function, but problems occur when there is regularly greater than desired blood levels of cholesterol. Not all cholesterol is created equal…
Cholesterol builds up inside the walls of our arteries. Overtime, arteries can hardened or narrowed to a degree of decreased blood flow and clot formation, or worse yet…they can become blocked completely.
According to the Mayo Clinic & the American Heart Association, one should strive for a total cholesterol reading below 200mg/dL.
Breakdown by type of blood fat is the following:
LDL (“bad” cholesterol) – Below 100mg/dL (Below 70mg/dL if at high risk for heart attack)
HDL (“good” cholesterol) – Men (40mg/dL or higher); Women (50mg/dL or higher)
Triglycerides – Below 100mg/dL
So how do we remedy high cholesterol?
1. Lose excess weight (even 5-10lbs can lower your levels)
2. Eat heart-healthy foods (watch for future blog posts)
3. Choose healthy fats (yes, there are such a thing)
4. Eliminate trans fats (often found in margarines & processed foods)
5. Exercise regularly (30-60min of activity that increases your heart rate)
6. Eat plenty fruits and vegetables (at least 2 at each main meal)
7. Select whole grains over white starches
8. Eat heart-healthy fish (the omega-3’s are very important for increasing “good” cholesterol)
9. Don’t smoke
10. Drink alcohol only in moderation
Have you never had your cholesterol or a general health panel checked?
No one is exempt at any age or health status from having high cholesterol. Get your numbers checked in 2015 and if you have had them checked and they are high or borderline high, incorporate the above 10 natural remedies into your daily lifestyle.
innerfitgirl's Blog 
My cholesterol is currently high, not by much but definitely needs work before it gets out of hand. I recently got the FitBit and making attempts to increase my steps. As you stated, exercise and losing weight will aid in bringing my numbers down. One of my greatest difficulties is my work. Driving around all day limits the amount of walking during a normal work day. Additionally, eating a well balanced lunch is also challenging when I’m typically in my car at that time. I think for me this is going to take making changes to my daily routine and being committed to those changes. What will also be helpful is looking to blogs like yours for support and perhaps starting my own, which I intended a year ago. Yikes the year went by fast.
HippyNurse
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I hear you, I too planned on starting my blog full-swing last year at this time and also planned on getting my health goals in order…however, work and life really did take it’s tole on those goals. Time to invest into my goals without excuses, one little choice at a time. I find, I need be stronger than my excuses and stronger than my habits in order to succeed. We indeed all need support and through starting my blog, I hope I can inspire others, while also being inspired.
I too have high cholesterol, ironically, I wouldn’t if my HDL’s weren’t also so high! I have work to do. I agree with all of your comment above, much of it is my story too…I too look forward to getting my fitbit through work. Thank you for your post!
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