A cardiologist says four lifestyle changes could be better than medication at reducing ‘bad’ cholesterol in your body. Dr Adriana Quinones-Camacho, a cardiologist, said cholesterol has been ‘shown to be problematic for heart health’.
Bad cholesterol refers to low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, which can build up in the walls of your arteries, leading to plaque formation. This plaque narrows and hardens the arteries, increasing the risk of heart disease, heart attacks, and strokes.
LDL contributes to atherosclerosis (artery hardening), increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes and can cause reduced blood flow to vital organs. High LDL levels are caused by factors including an unhealthy diet (high in saturated and trans fats), lack of exercise, smoking, genetics (familial hypercholesterolemia), obesity and certain medical conditions such as diabetes and hypothyroidism.
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Heart conditions, and high cholesterol, are often managed with medication called statins – taken by millions of people in the UK every day. But Dr Quinones-Camacho says a doctor will try to help you make lifestyle changes first.
These changes could be more effective than statins at bringing your cholesterol down permanently, and improving your heart health. The four recommended changes are:
Consume Fats Wisely
The type of fats you consume has a huge impact on cholesterol levels. Foods high in omega-3 fatty acids, like walnuts, salmon, flaxseeds and mackerel have cardiovascular benefits that have been studied extensively.
Less Sugar, More Fibre
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Emphasising fibre in your diet can help reduce high cholesterol. Fibre reduces the absorption of cholesterol into your bloodstream and can lead to significant improvements for someone with high cholesterol.
Make Time For Exercise
A study in ‘Sports Medicine’ found that almost any kind of exercise can have a major impact on cholesterol. Another study suggests that psychological stress was also a contributing factor to high cholesterol, and physical activity could mitigate that risk.
Refer to Your Doctor
Talking to your doctor can help determine lifestyle changes you should make along with any medication that may be a good fit for you.
