A diagnosis of high cholesterol means two things for you: first, it is important to lower your cholesterol levels to healthier ranges, and second, you must simultaneously raise HDL cholesterol. Now you may very well wonder why that is, and the answer is simply that when you have high cholesterol, the HDL cholesterol can reduce the negative effects of LDL cholesterol so you avoid the high cholesterol complications.
If your HDL cholesterol is at a low level, you may have a greater chance of developing heart disease. Low HDL cholesterol levels will cause the LDL cholesterol to stay in the arteries where it can cause a blockage. If you raise HDL cholesterol, this causes LDL cholesterol to move from your arteries and go to your liver where it can be processed.
Being careful about the foods you eat is the first step that a doctor will take to attempt to reduce your overall cholesterol levels. You should go to see a nutritionist to get information about the foods that are helpful to raise HDL cholesterol, while decreasing LDL cholesterol simultaneously. Usually your diet will have limited fat and sugar and plenty of lean protein, vegetables and fruits.
Reducing risk for heart disease requires work. The only way to improve your heart function, lose weight, raise HDL cholesterol and reduce your LDL "bad" cholesterol, is to begin an exercise regimen and keep up a daily routine of eating properly.
Include your whole family in your plans for a low fat diet and exercise regimen. If everyone participates, you will get used to eating healthy food and you will have an easier time staying on this diet. If everyone eats the same way as you do they will become healthier in the long run. It is significant that your children learn that their health depends on how they eat and they should have nutritious food. If we instruct our children about this we can prevent problems that they could have in the future.
There are various sources from which you can get information on how to eat and live healthy. Eating healthy as well as tasty food is what everyone would like, and these recipes can be found in many cookbooks. With the help of these books, you can cook food which will help you lower your LDL levels and raise HDL cholesterol levels.
If you are able to lower your cholesterol level with the foods that you consume, then you will likely not be required to take any medications. However, remember that a diet plan alone may not be sufficient to lower bad cholesterol and raise HDL cholesterol concurrently. You should always consult your doctor, who will advise you on medications necessary for control of cholesterol.