High cholesterol increases your risk of heart disease and heart attacks. One can easily lower cholesterol by medication, but Dr. Eileen says – it is advisable to lower cholesterol and improve lipids profile by making some important lifestyle changes first. Dr. Eileen Canday – Chief Dietician at Breach Candy Hospital, lists down 5 simple lifestyle changes, which will help lower high cholesterol and improve lipid profile…

Fight High Cholesterol: Lose Weight

"Losing even 5 to 10 pounds of weight will help to lower cholesterol levels," says Dr. Eileen. She adds, "Losing weight is the best way towards healthy living. Take simple steps to fulfill this goal – take a walk when you are bored instead of munching on food, pick up healthier options like carrots while watching a film or take stairs instead of elevators. This doesn’t end here; add more innovative ways to incorporate more activity in your daily routine." 

Fight High Cholesterol: Eat Heart-Healthy Foods

If your high cholesterol problem comes from indulging in unhealthy foods, then here are some solutions:  

• Avoid saturated fats that are available in ghee, palm oil, red meat and dairy products as they increase the total cholesterol level in the body. Make sure that you get only 10 percent of your daily calories from fats. The best way to lower cholesterol is by choosing leaner meat and monounsaturated fats present in olive oil and canola oils. 

• Eradicate trans fats from your diet. Trans fats are usually found in cookies, snack cakes, mithais and other ghee-laden dishes. 

• Choose whole grain bread and whole grain pasta to lower your cholesterol level. 

• Eat lots of fruits and vegetables as they are rich in dietary fiber. If you prefer dry fruits over fresh fruits, then limit yourself to not more than a handful of nuts to keep calories in control.

Fight High Cholesterol: Exercise on Most Days of the Week

Exercising even for 30 minutes a day will help boost good cholesterol and even help to lose weight. 

Fight High Cholesterol: Quit Smoking

Staying away from smoking not only improves good cholesterol, but also decreases your blood pressure - which further cuts the risk of various heart diseases. Hence, quit smoking to live a healthy life free of high cholesterol.  

Fight High Cholesterol: Limit Your Alcohol Intake

Drinking too much alcohol can lead to serious health problems, including high blood pressure, heart failure and stroke.

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