Bad Cholesterol: There are two types of cholesterol, good and bad. Bad cholesterol i.e. low density lipoprotein is harmful for the body. It can be significantly improved by changing lifestyle and eating habits. Some measures should be taken to reduce bad cholesterol.
What is normal cholesterol level?
According to the doctor, if the level of bad cholesterol in the blood is less than 100 mg/dL then it is considered normal. But when this level exceeds 130 mg/dL then it is a health alert. If bad cholesterol rises above 160 mg/dL, it is a serious sign, indicating that cholesterol has reached dangerous levels.
When to get cholesterol checked?
Controlling bad cholesterol is very important for heart health, so cholesterol should be checked at least once a year. Cholesterol should be checked regularly if you have heart disease, diabetes or high blood pressure.
Ways to reduce cholesterol
- The anti-oxidant properties present in celery help in reducing cholesterol.
- Green vegetables like cauliflower, spinach, tomato can be effective in reducing bad cholesterol.
- Smoking is a major cause of bad cholesterol. So, if you smoke, stop immediately. Instead, increase physical activity, which can prove beneficial for the body.
- Include a diet rich in unsaturated fats. Unsaturated fats found in olive oil, walnuts, almonds and fish reduce bad cholesterol by increasing good cholesterol.
- Eat fiber-rich foods such as beans, fruits and whole grains are good sources of fiber. Fiber reduces the absorption of cholesterol in the body.
- Use seed oil also.
- Regular exercise is very important. 30 minutes of moderate exercise per day reduces bad cholesterol and increases good cholesterol. Apart from this, body lipid profile test should be done from time to time to detect bad cholesterol.