There is an open conversation and controversy over just how important cholesterol is to our overall health. There are good arguments on both sides of the issue, but recent studies seem to conclude that it does not affect our health as much as once believed.
Our bodies need cholesterol and is capable of making what we need. Adding cholesterol through diet is not necessary, but it is also not the culprit we made it out to be.
Here is a statement by Harvard Health Publishing – Harvard Medical School in an article you can find here:
https://www.health.harvard.edu/topics/cholesterol
“Cholesterol isn't entirely
the health villain it's
made out to be,
its name darkly linked to
heart attack, stroke,
and other types of cardiovascular disease.
Our bodies need cholesterol,
which is a type of lipid
(another name for fat)
to make cell membranes,
key hormones like
testosterone and estrogen,
the bile acids needed to
digest and absorb fats,
and vitamin D.
Cholesterol is so important to the body that
the liver and intestines
make it from scratch.
What is "bad" about cholesterol isn't the substance itself
in fact, we can't live without it
— but how much of it is in the bloodstream.”
What the magic number is when it comes to cholesterol is also in question. Many factors can affect cholesterol, such as age and menopause. Some medications can also affect it, as well as lifestyle.
Check with your doctor for the correct number for you.
Exercise is always the first line of defense for any illness or disease. It is the same for lowering your cholesterol. Exercise!
Run or jog
Brisk Walk
Bike
Swim
Weights
Yoga
Cardio Dance or Zumba
Pilates
Anything that gets you up and moving!
Food! Food is medicine. We are what we eat. Food affects you cholesterol. Including the following will assist in lowering your cholesterol:
legumes
avocados
nuts
- specifically almonds and walnuts
fatty fish
- salmon and mackerel are excellent sources
whole grains
- oats and barley
are great
fruits and berries
dark chocolate and cocoa
garlic
soy foods
vegetables
tea -
green and white are the best, black tea is also good
dark leafy greens
EVOO
Eliminate the following:
Reduce saturated fats
Eliminate trans fats
Smoking – STOP Smoking!
Doing the following will also help:
Lose weight
Drink alcohol in moderation
or better yet – not at all
Increase soluble fiber
MCT oil
– there are studies that show this can help reduce cholesterol (The recommendation is 1-2 Tablespoons a day to “replace fat in your diet, not add to” and no more. More may have a negative effect on your health.)
If you are trying to lower your cholesterol and none of these suggestions work, your doctor may want you to take statins or other cholesterol lowering drugs. If your doctor suggests such a drug, then take it as prescribed, however, continue to practice the above suggestions.
After a period of time, these suggestions may change your cholesterol numbers and you may be able to come off the drugs.
(No matter the situation, always consult your physician first.)
Hope this helps someone. If you have lowered your cholesterol without medications (in other words – naturally) please share your story in the comments. Please share your thoughts on the current studies about cholesterol and its effects on health in the comments below. Do you take statins currently and are you going to try to lower it naturally with the information in this article? If so, we would love to know how that works for you!
XOXO
Our bodies need cholesterol and is capable of making what we need. Adding cholesterol through diet is not necessary, but it is also not the culprit we made it out to be.
Here is a statement by Harvard Health Publishing – Harvard Medical School in an article you can find here:
https://www.health.harvard.edu/topics/cholesterol
“Cholesterol isn't entirely
the health villain it's
made out to be,
its name darkly linked to
heart attack, stroke,
and other types of cardiovascular disease.
Our bodies need cholesterol,
which is a type of lipid
(another name for fat)
to make cell membranes,
key hormones like
testosterone and estrogen,
the bile acids needed to
digest and absorb fats,
and vitamin D.
Cholesterol is so important to the body that
the liver and intestines
make it from scratch.
What is "bad" about cholesterol isn't the substance itself
in fact, we can't live without it
— but how much of it is in the bloodstream.”
What the magic number is when it comes to cholesterol is also in question. Many factors can affect cholesterol, such as age and menopause. Some medications can also affect it, as well as lifestyle.
Check with your doctor for the correct number for you.
Exercise is always the first line of defense for any illness or disease. It is the same for lowering your cholesterol. Exercise!
Run or jog
Brisk Walk
Bike
Swim
Weights
Yoga
Cardio Dance or Zumba
Pilates
Anything that gets you up and moving!
Food! Food is medicine. We are what we eat. Food affects you cholesterol. Including the following will assist in lowering your cholesterol:
legumes
avocados
nuts
- specifically almonds and walnuts
fatty fish
- salmon and mackerel are excellent sources
whole grains
- oats and barley
are great
fruits and berries
dark chocolate and cocoa
garlic
soy foods
vegetables
tea -
green and white are the best, black tea is also good
dark leafy greens
EVOO
Eliminate the following:
Reduce saturated fats
Eliminate trans fats
Smoking – STOP Smoking!
Doing the following will also help:
Lose weight
Drink alcohol in moderation
or better yet – not at all
Increase soluble fiber
MCT oil
– there are studies that show this can help reduce cholesterol (The recommendation is 1-2 Tablespoons a day to “replace fat in your diet, not add to” and no more. More may have a negative effect on your health.)
If you are trying to lower your cholesterol and none of these suggestions work, your doctor may want you to take statins or other cholesterol lowering drugs. If your doctor suggests such a drug, then take it as prescribed, however, continue to practice the above suggestions.
After a period of time, these suggestions may change your cholesterol numbers and you may be able to come off the drugs.
(No matter the situation, always consult your physician first.)
Hope this helps someone. If you have lowered your cholesterol without medications (in other words – naturally) please share your story in the comments. Please share your thoughts on the current studies about cholesterol and its effects on health in the comments below. Do you take statins currently and are you going to try to lower it naturally with the information in this article? If so, we would love to know how that works for you!
XOXO
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