Top tips on how to reduce cholesterol

Read no to know what is cholesterol and how you can control its amount in your body.

We have all been in the situation where a family member or friend has been diagnosed with high cholesterol and has been prescribed a specific diet to reduce it. Most of us are not aware of what is cholesterol exactly although we know its ill-effects. Cholesterol is a sterol that is found in the blood stream which forms a part of cell membranes. It keeps the body functioning well but in excess, it gets deposited on the walls of the artery.

This deposition is called atherosclerosis and can lead to a heart attack or stroke. There are two kinds of cholesterol in the body- HDL or High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol and LDL or Low Density Lipoprotein. Having high amounts of HDL Cholesterol in the body is good as it helps to lower bad cholesterol.

If you are wondering how to reduce cholesterol, then you can do so by incorporating foods that have good cholesterol in them and weeding out those that does not. Nutritionists advice you to consume fishes rich in Omega 3 Fatty acids such as sardines and salmon, walnuts, avocado and other kinds of nuts. Some of these healthy foods can be munched as snacks as well and are good alternative to chips and other fried goodies. There are several recipes of healthy foods available online that you can try out at home. They make use of only a few ingredients and taste yummy.

Apart from eating healthy, one should concentrate on improving their lifestyle in order to lower cholesterol. Quitting smoking is a good way as smoking increases the LDL Cholesterol in the body. Sleeping for straight seven to eight hours is important as it increases the cell building process and gives you the right amount of rest that would help you work better.

Exercising is an important part of staying healthy and fit. Even an hour of brisk walking can work wonders in controlling your cholesterol levels. You can talk to a nutritionist to chalk out a diet and health plan to keep triglycerides and LDL cholesterol low.

If you are thinking of making switches in your diet, start with incorporating low fat table spreads like those from Nutralite in your daily meals. It is free from hydrogenated fats and lends the same taste that any dairy provides. From breakfast to dinner, you can find umpteen ways of enjoying its rich creaminess!

Shivani Shetty is a fitness enthusiast who has tips on healthy foods that aid in keeping you in shape without compromising on taste.