Learn More About Cholesterol
Excess total cholesterol and LDL “bad” cholesterol will stick to the walls of our blood vessels, narrowing the space for blood to flow. This prevents oxygen and nutrients from reaching vital organs. Most dangerously, it can prevent oxygen from getting to the heart or brain, increasing our risk for heart attack and stroke.
A reduction in total cholesterol and LDL “bad” cholesterol levels, and an increase in HDL “good” cholesterol levels directly results in a decreased risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke, so it is vital that we achieve healthy levels of cholesterol.
Risk Factors:
- Being over weight
- Smoking
- Family history of high cholesterol
- Poor diet, consuming a lot of sugars and fats
- Lack of exercise, living a sedentary lifestyle
Lifestyle changes:
- Cholesterol-lowering foods such as vegetables, fruits, fish, lean poultry, legumes, whole grains, nuts and olive oil
- Taking a fibre supplement, fibre pulls cholesterol from the body
- Avoid foods high in trans fats, saturated fats
- Avoid sugar
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Support gut health and digestion
- Support liver health
- Regular exercise
- Quit smoking
- Get tested regularly
