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Even more dangerous than the side effects of prescription drugs to lower cholesterol is not getting cholesterol under control. Over time, high cholesterol can lead to numerous conditions of the heart and arteries, not the least of which are atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), stroke or heart attack.
Here are 5 steps you can take today to lower your cholesterol without prescription drugs.
Eat right. May sound simple, but diet has such a significant impact on lowering cholesterol that it should be the number one factor you look at in determining if your high cholesterol is hereditary or a matter of dietary choices. A low fat and low cholesterol diet is the first step toward lowering cholesterol.
Four Main Factors Causing High Cholesterol
Besides diet, other causes of high cholesterol are lifestyle, gender and the heritage of the individual.
For some, even maintaining cholesterol at the right levels and being fit and thin will still not prevent the development of high levels of bad cholesterol. Due to heart risk factors besides diet, some people require a very aggressive approach which includes cholesterol lowing medication. We will address this issue as we progress in 30 days to lowering cholesterol.
Lifestyle issues and high cholesterol:
When we opt for convenience in eating over nutrition, we are setting ourselve ..
Exercise. Improving cardiovascular health is a step toward reversing the effects of high cholesterol. Exercise itself doesnt directly lower cholesterol, but will strengthen the heart and entire circulatory system.
Quit smoking. If you smoke, the plaque build up in the arteries due to high cholesterol is accelerated. When plaque blocks the flow of blood to the heart, the muscle has to work harder to get oxygen. This can lead to a heart attack. If the arteries get completely blocked with plaque from high cholesterol then a stroke can occur.
Relax. Chronic stress can affect cholesterol levels. If you are constantly stressed and eating a low cholesterol diet, you may not see any improvement in cholesterol readings until you learn to relieve stress.
Fats & Cholesterol
For years we heard that a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet would keep us healthy and help us lose weight. And many of us jumped on the bandwagon, eliminating fat and high-cholesterol foods from our diets.
Well, unfortunately, we were doing it all wrong.
Instead of eliminating fat completely, we should have been eliminating the bad fats,the fats associated with obesity and heart disease and eating the good fats, the fats that actually help improve blood cholesterol levels. Before we examine the good fats and bad fats, lets talk about cholesterol.
Cholesterol - Its been ingrained into our ..
Talk to your doctor. Not all doctors are quick to prescribe medications. In fact, the more enlightened doctors will help you form a diet and exercise plan that is suitable for your current overall health and abilities as a first step toward lowering cholesterol. It is always important to ask your doctor if your decision to follow a specific diet or exercise plan is right for you. In addition, do not stop taking medications before consulting with your doctor. You can lower your cholesterol with diet and exercise, and under the care of your doctor, see about removing drugs from the process.
It does not take long to see significant improvements in your cholesterol. Lower cholesterol can be yours in just a matter of weeks.
About the Author: Frank Mangano is an author, researcher and health advocate who dedicates his life to finding solutions for people interested in reducing their risk of health problems by improving their overall quality of life naturally, without the use prescription medication. Learn more by visiting his website:
http://www.60daystolowercholesterol.com" target="_blank"> http://www.60daystolowercholesterol.com
Source: http://www.isnare.com Frank Mangano5 Simple Steps To Lower Your Cholesterol Level
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