In our modern and hectic fast-food lives there are an increasing number of people suffering from high cholesterol levels, and this can lead to the development of heart disease, heart attacks and strokes. Coronary heart disease is a leading cause of death people in the developed world. This increasing incidence can often be attributed to a high saturated fat diet, smoking and our sedentary lifestyle.
There are several drugs now available to treat unhealthy cholesterol levels in people. The best known being the HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitor, more generally known as Statins. This group of cholesterol lowering drugs is increasingly being used to help higher risk patients lower their levels. The use of Satins can also increase the levels of HDL, the good cholesterol. Although Statins and other drugs have been proven to be very effective, there are other ways for you to lower your levels if you are against drugs.
One of these is by trying to lead a more active and healthier lifestyle. Exercise is a very important part of this, and, if done properly, can help reduce cholesterol levels quite significantly. Regular exercise will also help in reducing blood pressure, excess weight, decreasing the risk of diabetes, and will make you feel much better.
Even if you are not ready for a work out in the gym yet, a more gentle start can be made by simply walking more or taking the stairs instead of the elevator. If you start slowly then gradually increase the amount of exercise you are doing you will soon find a difference in your total well-being.
Following a low cholesterol diet is another way to help decrease high cholesterol levels. It is a proven fact that a low cholesterol diet can help decrease cholesterol levels by as much as 29 percent in one month, and that could keep you alive.
It has also been established that eating low cholesterol high fibre foods can cut cholesterol level by seven percent. This suggests that a combination of a good cholesterol diet plan and a sensible exercise regime could greatly decrease the levels of bad cholesterol in the blood stream to a much less dangerous amount.
Of course the first thing you must do if you have any fear that your cholesterol levels could be too high is seek medical advice, but helping yourself is a really good way to go if you can. By not having to take drugs to help your condition you would be doing something positive - and you would feel so much better for it.
