Eating right can reduce or eliminate a lot of health problems, and is also good for prevention of many of those same issues. One of the best ways to keep your heart healthy, for example, is to reduce your cholesterol. Weight loss can help with that, as can eating the right kinds of foods. Especially as you age, getting your cholesterol down to a lower level can be extremely beneficial to protecting the health and longevity of your heart.
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Lower Your Bad Cholesterol
Doctors and medical professionals such as Ian Weisberg know that bad cholesterol (LDL) can cause heart health issues by leading to problems like clogged arteries and heart attacks. It’s not the only cause of these issues, of course, but it can be one of the biggest causes for a lot of people. Fortunately, there are ways to combat this issue and reduce the amount of LDL cholesterol that’s circulating. That can be done with diet in some cases, and with medication in others.
Raise Your Good Cholesterol
To raise your good cholesterol (HDL) it’s not enough just to lower your LDL. Instead, you want to eat things like fish, healthy oils, and healthy fats. This can bring your HDL number up, regardless of what your LDL is doing. Then, you can work on also lowering your LDL through eating more fruits, veggies, and lean meats, and reducing the amount of sugar, carbs, and unhealthy fats you’re consuming.
Pay Attention to Triglycerides
Dr. Ian Weisberg and others in the medical profession know that triglycerides can also be a problem when it comes to cholesterol. When you avoid processed foods, trans fats, and red meat, you can more easily reduce the triglycerides you have, though, which can lead to lower overall cholesterol numbers and a healthier heart. Working with your doctor to bring your numbers into better ranges is a good step toward protecting your heart from damage over time.
Some people also have naturally higher cholesterol, and it can be genetic. In cases like that, what you eat doesn’t play as big of a role, so you may need to take medication along with focusing on a healthy diet. No matter how that works in your particular case, though, getting your numbers where they need to be is the goal. Not only is is good for your heart, but it’s also good for your peace of mind and better health.
The Overall Number Matters
Keep in mind that the overall number is important when looking at your cholesterol, but it’s not the whole picture. If you have a high amount of good cholesterol, your number could be elevated even if your bad cholesterol is in range. That’s something your doctor will look at, because the main number doesn’t tell the whole story. It’s important, but looking at the breakdown of HDL, LDL, and triglycerides will go a long way toward giving you valuable data you can use to keep your heart safer.