For years we have heard all about how bad cholesterol is, but really what we need to know is how to lower cholesterol levels. Studies have shown that a high cholesterol number is directly linked to a higher risk of heart attack, stroke and cardiovascular disease. Your heart needs for you to get your numbers under control to stay healthy. Do you know how to lower your cholesterol levels? You should know that you have options when you are working to bring your cholesterol down and by making lifesyle changes and taking medications, you will see results.

You and Your Diet

Your diet does indeed have a direct correlation to your overall health, no matter what your grandfather said about how he drank and ate bacon and eggs everyday and lived until he was 100. Our diets today are simply not conducive to a healthy lifestyle, which is why we have seen a rise in obesity as well as an increase in conditions like diabetes and heart disease. There are lots of things you can do to bring down your cholesterol levels. This can be done through good diet choices. First and foremost begin eating more fruits and vegetables. Are you getting five a day? The USDA actually recommends five to nine servings of fruits and vegetables every day for optimum health.

Most of today’s diets do not include many whole grains either. We eat lots of bread and cereal products, but most of them are made from refined sugar and flour, which is not how to lower cholesterol levels. A good rule of thumb is to find breads that have plenty of grains and seeds actually visible on the slices. You also want to hunt for ingredient lists that contain words like “whole grains” or “whole wheat” to ensure that you are making your healthiest carbohydrate choices.

Begin Exercising For A Healthy Heart

Exercise is another essential means on how to lower cholesterol levels. The single thing you can do which will be most beneficial to you is to make sure to get daily exercise. Consider taking a walk at lunch time or riding your bike after work? You might even find that playing with your kids can get your heart rate up and improve your overall heart health and circulation. Exercise will also help you to maintain a healthy weight, which is another key in how to lower cholesterol levels.

If these lifestyle modifications do not help you to get those cholesterol numbers down, your doctor also has medication options for you to consider. It is important that you know what you can do to lower your cholesterol in an effort to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Just remember the great cholesterol lie. Cholesterol isn’t the only factor in maintaining a healthy heart. Inflammation is the biggest killer, which is where often people get confused with the real truths behind heart disease.

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