Dietary Factors in Lowering Cholesterol - Nutritional choices you can make for heathier cholesterol levels
" by Ask a Healer
Do you take cholesterol-lowering drugs such as Lipitor or Crestor? If so, I hope you are also altering your diet with heart-healthy foods. This means healthy fats, high fiber foods, whole grains, fruits and veggies. Consider trying a plant-based diet for a while. Skipping the meat and dairy can help your body normalize it's cholesterol levels.
If going vegetarian or vegan just isn't for you, try at least cutting back on meats and dairy and eating more veggies. You can add a plant-based protein drink but do your homework on those. I recommend organic for sure because most protein shakes are concentrated and if not organic, may up the amount of pesticides you ingest. The reason you see a Mary Ruth's banner to your left is because I've researched that company and know they use quality organic ingredients.
Moderate exercise is also important. If you have a sedentary lifestyle, exercise becomes even more important. Check with your doctor before beginning an exercise program
and be aware that exercise does not have to mean a grueling workout. Simply walking briskly while swinging your arms for 15-20 minutes a day can help your body to lower cholesterol levels over time.
Start reading labels on every product you buy. Look for products that do not contain hydrogenated oils. Believe me, if the label doesn't specifically say non-hydrogentated, then it almost certainly has hydrogenated oils. Seek out those breads, cookies, and other foods that are made with whole grain flour and without hydrogenated oils, for a healthier heart.
Unfortunately, if you have wheat allergies, gluten allergies, celiac disease or crohn's disease, you may have been advised by your doctor to avoid whole grain breads, etc. Sprouted grain may be an option for you since many with these conditions who cannot tolerate whole grain products find that they can tolerate sprouted grain breads like Ezekiel. Check with your doctor first though if you have colon health issues.
By the way, multi-grain is not the same as whole grain. The term multi-grain is sometimes used on products that contain refined white flour from several grain sources. Look for whole grains on the label.
Increase your Vitamin C intake. Vitamin C is a very, very heart-healthy supplement. Use a buffered form of vitamin C if you have stomach sensitivities. More about how diet effects health
Low Blood Pressure Causes and Risks
Lower your stress response to lower your cholesterol:
Back when I was counseling folks every day, I could have used a recorder for the first things I usually said. In almost every case, it was evident that part of the health challenge most were facing was stress-related. I used to say that the number one thing I'd suggest for getting better, no matter what was wrong, was to reduce stress. I still think stress exacerbates any health condition and that chronic stress can even contribute to the development of health issues.
I had not specifically read about any link between stress and cholesterol but when I was reviewing this information, I decided to search and quickly found several. Here's one to get you started: Can stress increase your cholesterol? by Paula Rasich at the Prevention website.
Health Care Disclaimer: While positive nutritional changes in your diet can definitely assist the body in restoring and maintaining health cholesterol levels, sometimes nutrition is not enough. Speak frankly with your doctor about your desire to incorporate nutrition as a vital part of your recovery regimen and ask that a qualified dietary specialist or nutritionist be involved. If you express your desire to depend on nutrition as much as possible, your doctor
should be willing to adjust drug dosage downward as conditions improve and to closely monitor the effects of dietary changes on your cholesterol levels over time.
