Watch out for bad cholesterol
Although cholesterol has been demonised, it is not all bad. In fact our bodies make its own cholesterol for normal body functions. PHOTO | FILE
What you need to know:
- Cholesterol is carried in our blood and so if you have too much of it, it increases your risk of heart disease. This bad cholesterol forms plaques that clog the arteries and increase the risk of heart attacks and stroke.
- Prevention is better than cure and there are simple ways to help reduce cholesterol levels.
The best way to lower your risk of getting a heart attack and stroke is by managing your cholesterol.
But to effectively do this, it is important to understand this type of fat and how cholesterol affects the body.
Although cholesterol has been demonised, it is not all bad. In fact our bodies make its own cholesterol for normal body functions.
But there is another type of cholesterol that is derived from the food we eat. It is too much of this type of cholesterol that we need to watch out for and avoid.
Cholesterol is carried in our blood and so if you have too much of it, it increases your risk of heart disease. This bad cholesterol forms plaques that clog the arteries and increase the risk of heart attacks and stroke.
Any body has potential to carry excess cholesterol whether they are obese or not. Even very thin people or seemingly fit people with an ideal body weight may have high cholesterol levels.
Increases in cholesterol is directly affected by lifestyle habits especially diet and lack of exercise. That is why it is very important to have your cholesterol checked regularly,or at least once or twice a year.
There are also medical conditions that predispose us to high cholesterol levels.This means that there are some people with high cholesterol levels even if they are leaving healthy just because it is in their genes.
Prevention is better than cure and there are simple ways to help reduce cholesterol levels.
Eating a balanced diet. Eat from all the food groups including your proteins(both animal and plant protein) The most important thing is learning how to control your food portions.
Always choose complex carbs(these are carbohydrates that have not been highly processed) including whole meal grains or bread,sweet potatoes,cooking bananas,arrowroots,ugali with whole meal flour .
Increase your vegetable and fruit intake .
Avoid using whole milk.Instead use low fat and if you have cholesterol you have to switch to skimmed milk.
Choose foods that are low in sodium .
Water instead of sugary drinks.
Exercise has many benefits besides helping you keep fit. Exercise helps you lower your cholesterol levels.
