If you suffer from high cholesterol, then there is a good chance that you have poured over various studies to find out what exactly is the most effective way to bring it down.
Numerous doctor visits and medical bills later, you have probably learned that your lifestyle affects the cholesterol level in your body.
While you may have pondered about whether or not this is true, the truth is, this is really not a matter of contention.
Does Eating And Lifestyle Habits Affect Cholesterol Level?
Contents
Your eating habits and the lifestyle that you follow have a magnanimous effect on your cholesterol. In fact, people who make unhealthy life choices fairly regularly, usually are the ones who suffer from high cholesterol, or at least, are at a higher risk of experiencing it.
Let us now take a look at how and what aspects of your lifestyle have a major effect on your blood cholesterol.
Diet
The human body definitely needs some amount of cholesterol in order to function properly.
That being said, most of the cholesterol is synthesized by your body all on its own, so when you consume foods that have a ginormous amount of cholesterol in them, it can have adverse impacts on your body.
Repeatedly consuming foods that are high in trans fat and added sugar contribute to a rise in cholesterol levels. However, you can also use your diet and bring down your cholesterol levels to a normal one.
The way to do this is by modifying and adapting your diet to suit your requirements, primarily by making healthier choices that will have the least negative effects on your body in the long run.
The main mantra in this plan is to cut down on foods rich in cholesterol as much as possible. This would include shrimp, animal meats, and some amounts of dairy products.
You can also maintain normalcy in your cholesterol levels by following some other protocols such as including large amounts of items rich in soluble fiber into your food palate, along with fruits, vegetables, and healthier fats.
You must also limit your consumption of harmful substances such as alcohol and tobacco in order to lower your cholesterol levels.
Exercise
People who do not lead an active lifestyle are generally at a higher risk of developing high cholesterol.
The reason for this is, following a fairly sedentary lifestyle can have a negative impact on your weight, and people who suffer from weight-related issues usually find themselves at the forefront of tackling cholesterol problems.
In order to bring down your cholesterol levels, one of the smartest decisions you can make is to start following an exercise regimen. It does not necessarily have to be a high-intensity workout.
You can start off by doing comparatively slow-paced exercises such as yoga and tai chi. Swimming, walking, jogging are some other physical activities that you can adopt in order to experience normal cholesterol levels.
Research also shows that getting regular exercise helps to lower the bad cholesterol in your body and causes a consequential rise in the good cholesterol that is necessary for your body.
Weight
As discussed above, your weight plays a primary role in determining cholesterol levels. Aside from genetics, your weight may usually be determined by the kind of lifestyle that you follow.
If you eat a lot of junk food and do not compensate for that by imbibing an active lifestyle, then the risk of your BMI being higher than is deemed normal is fairly high. This in turn exposes you to the risk of developing high cholesterol and its related morbidities.
You can also return your cholesterol levels to a state of normalcy by trying out meal plans and workouts that can help you shed those extra pounds.
Keep a realistic weight goal for yourself and seek out healthy, tested methods to reach that goal. This can be done by either researching through health journals or even seeking medical advice.
The above paragraphs show that the kind of lifestyle that you follow can have a huge impact on your cholesterol levels, along with the dietary choices that you make.
The best shot you have is to use this for your gain. Make healthier food choices and shift your lifestyle in order to make it more active and for it to have a more holistic impact on your health.
By doing this regularly, you are sure to witness a massive positive effect on your cholesterol levels.
Lacey Arlo is a wellness expert and a nutritionist who aims to help members with health and diet queries. Lacey Arlo has worked with junior, national, and Olympic-level athletes by providing them with customizing programmers, supplement strategies, and support during their travel and competition. From weight management, PCOD, thyroid-related weight loss, and nutrition for children to diets for pregnant and diets for senior citizens, She offers nutrition-aided solutions for different age groups with consideration for each person’s unique health demands.