You must have heard of the good and bad cholesterol, but do you know the difference? Again, you must have had your cholesterol level examined by a medical professional or heard of terms such as lowering the cholesterol level. The liver produces the waxy fat-like substance called cholesterol which is important for different body functions. Unfortunately, it leads to lifestyle complications such as heart problems and diabetes. However, you can look for a Boynton Beach high cholesterol expert who can help you manage your cholesterol levels. Read this to know ways of managing your cholesterol levels.
High Cholesterol Levels and Diabetes
Although one can get type 1 diabetes which is hereditary from birth, too much weight, blood sugar, and cholesterol can cause type 2 diabetes. Therefore, if you don’t have a stable glucose level, it could help control the cholesterol level to deal with diabetes effectively. Diabetes results cause inefficiency in managing blood sugar levels, and people with the condition are likely to develop heart problems.
Acceptable Cholesterol Levels
Even if you don’t suffer from heart issues or diabetes, you should keep the cholesterol levels within the recommended ranges. For instance, LDL cholesterol should be lower than 100mg/dl; HDL cholesterol should exceed 40mg/dl. Women have higher HDL levels, and thus the level should exceed 50mg/dl. Maintaining the cholesterol levels within these ranges lowers the risk of diabetes and heart problems. You would take the lab tests frequently to monitor the cholesterol level and to keep it in check.
Ways to Manage Cholesterol
- Healthy diet
Switch the processed food for whole grains and dietary fiber, which promotes healthy cholesterol in the body. The refined grains are void of these essential fibers, and consuming whole grains can improve your cholesterol levels. Most refined food like pasta, chips, bread, and cereals are available in non-refined forms, and you should choose non-refined food all the time.
- Eat vegetables and fruits.
The vegetables and fruits contain vitamins and nutrients which your body needs. You could go for berries, arugula, and tomatoes for breakfast, as it is an excellent way to start your day. This food could make you full for a long time, thus reducing the need for a midday snack. Again, during the day, you can incorporate kale, lettuce, and spinach for the lunch meal and go for healthy meats and vegetable soups during dinner.
- Don’t consume saturated fats.
Animal fats like chicken and turkey fats are saturated and could increase bad cholesterol in your body. Again, highly processed vegetable cooking oil has these fats. Choose natural organic oil like extra virgin olive and coconut oils as they are healthy and least likely to raise the cholesterol level.
Final Thoughts
Too much bad cholesterol would result in diabetes and heart problems. However, you can control the level of cholesterol by consuming whole meals and healthy oils. Try to avoid saturated fats and highly processed foods which increase cholesterol levels. You should get the cholesterol test annually to control it adequately. Good luck finding ways to control cholesterol levels.
