WHAT IS  HDL CHOLESTEROL?

HDL cholesterol is the good kid to have in town. What is HDL cholesterol? Simply put it prevents cholesterol from building up in our arteries. That’s a good thing. The higher your HDL the better. What does that mean?

An HDL of 60mg/dL and above protects against heart disease. An HDL of less than 40 mg/dL puts you at major risk of heart attack. Everyone needs to manage high cholesterol.

This is especially true, if you’re a male over 45, a female over 55, or if you have diabetes. Also if you have high blood pressure or a family history of heart disease. The good news is that, in most cases, cholesterol can be managed very effectively. With the help of lifestyle changes and, sometimes medication, you can succeed.

Too many times in the past HDL has been neglected somewhat by doctors who put more attention to reducing the bad (LDL) cholesterol. Increasing the good guys (HDL) can work wonders. An HDL level below 40 mg/DL means you should be taking steps to increase the HDL and stay healthy. How do you increase your HDL?

If you are overweight you should take steps now to lose weight. That alone should help increase your HDL. Stop smoking if you smoke will do wonders. The foods you eat play a big part. And having one or two alcohol drinks a day can help raise your HDL level. So diet does make a difference in increasing our HDL. We must also consider the benefits of exercise. Only 20 to 30 minutes at a time can help in raising our low HDL numbers.

Equally important is increasing the monounsaturated fats we take in. things like olive oil, avocado oil, canola oil, and the fats found in peanut butter. Our fiber intake is important. This means more fruits, vegetables and oats. Never underestimate the importance of oats in our daily routine.

Also to be considered is the option for natural solutions to a cholesterol problem. Many products are on the market that have been used very successfully. The thing to remember is: the higher your HDL cholesterol level, the better it is for your heart and the less likelihood of a major problem like heart attack.

And don’t forget that weight control is critical to raising the good cholesterol HDL levels. It works time and time again. As does exercise. It should be noted that nothing suffices for a regular routine of some kind of exercise. When you can walk, do so. If you have the chance to work in the yard, do it. Park a little farther away from the mall entrance and walk in. And before you head for home why not a brisk trip around the mall a time or two without stopping to window shop. Do you have stairs in your home? Why not make an extra trip or two up and down them each day? Don’t have a yard to care for? Go over and help someone that does.

Use a treadmill at home. If you’re bored put it in front of the TV and watch the evening news. Join an aerobics class and never miss an opportunity to be there.

When it comes to food…change your thinking. Remember that everything you put into your mouth has an outcome on your health. It may taste good, but is it worth it? Compare it to open heart surgery. Strive for more vegetables and less meat, more fruits and grains and less fats and sweets. And a little alcohol in moderation on a regular basis is good. Keep your HDL levels high.