March is National Nutrition Month, and a key component of good nutrition in your body is having healthy cholesterol levels. Cholesterol is a fatty, waxy substance that can be analyzed via a small blood sample.
There is “good” cholesterol (HDL, or high-density lipoprotein) and “bad” cholesterol (LDL, or low-density lipoprotein), and having “high cholesterol” means having high levels of the bad cholesterol in your blood. Although high cholesterol is a contributor to heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure, it usually responds positively to a combination of therapies – including changes in daily nutrition habits.
Let’s talk about the importance of diagnosing and treating high cholesterol (dyslipidemia), what you can do about it, and where you can go in Sarasota and Lakewood Ranch, FL for outstanding comprehensive medical care to help keep you healthy.
What Is Cholesterol?
Cholesterol is in every cell of your body, and it is needed to produce hormones, provide energy, and make you look like you. It originates in the foods we eat, and our bodies use it to keep our cells healthy and functioning.
However, LDL cholesterol levels that are beyond certain standard levels may cause:
- Narrowed coronary arteries and peripheral blood vessels
- A predisposition for hypertension (high blood pressure) and diabetes
- Increased risk of stroke and heart attack
Factors that contribute to high levels of cholesterol include:
- Obesity
- Heredity (high cholesterol can run in families)
- Lack of regular exercise
- Menopause in women
- Some medications, such as beta-blockers
Blood Testing and Treatment for High Cholesterol
A simple blood draw (lipid panel) ordered by your medical healthcare provider can be done to analyze your cholesterol levels and important components, such as triglycerides. With your numbers in hand, you and your primary care physician can develop a nutrition and treatment plan to normalize your cholesterol levels and thereby decrease your chances of developing dangerous conditions.
Your treatment plan may include:
- Cholesterol-lowering drugs, such as statins
- Adding aerobic exercise into your lifestyle – such as walking, cycling, and swimming
- Losing weight
- Stop smoking
- A low-fat, high-fiber diet
- Adequate hydration
- Getting plenty of sleep every night
- Reducing stress
How Can I Reduce My Cholesterol?
Here are some nutrition tips to help lower your bad cholesterol levels and increase good cholesterol levels:
- Tip #1: Consume more fruits, vegetables, and high-fiber foods. In fact, the more colorful your choices are, the more nutritious and heart-healthy they are likely to be. Examples include berries, carrots, oats, and leafy green vegetables.
- Tip #2: Eliminate as much white sugar and carbohydrates as you can. Avoid processed foods and high-fat meats. Instead, consume fish, poultry, and nuts. Fish contains beneficial omega-3 fatty acids.
- Tip #3: Reduce the salt in your diet. Read package labels for sodium content, and take the salt shaker off of the dinner table.
- Tip #4: Keep away from trans fats. These are found in some crackers, cookies, and other processed foods. These numbers should be easily found on the nutrition label.
- Tip #5: Drink less alcohol. This means one drink per day if you are a woman, and two a day if you are a man.
Primary Care Doctors in Sarasota and Lakewood Ranch, FL
If you’re looking for the finest in internal medicine and family practice, Intercoastal Medical Group provides it all. We have more than 100 highly skilled healthcare providers across various specialties and 9 offices across Sarasota and Lakewood Ranch, FL for your convenience.
If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, contact our location nearest you or fill out our appointment request form online now. We look forward to being your healthcare provider!
