It is important to keep your body’s cholesterol level under control for overall health. As you know, increased cholesterol in the body could lead to some serious ailments. Let us take a look at some healthy habits that we can follow to keep cholesterol in check.
During the festive season, people tend to consume a lot of unhealthy food items which may lead to the condition of increased cholesterol in their bodies. Other factors include lack of exercise, bad lifestyle etc. It may even deteriorate our cardiovascular health. Here are some habits that one could follow to keep their cholesterol levels under control.
Foods for Better Heart
One should start by consuming foods like vegetables, fruits, whole grains, proteins etc, that are good for the heart. Those looking to reduce cholesterol should reduce the intake of trans fats and saturated fats, which are mainly found in fried foods and processed foods.
Increase the Intake of Omega-3 Fatty Acids
You must make a habit of eating food items which are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids. Food items like salmon, flaxseeds, herring, mackerel and walnuts can be very beneficial for the heart and can help control blood pressure.
Regular Exercising
Exercise plays a very vital role in maintaining good health and keeping cholesterol under check. According to studies, moderately exercising daily could help increase the level of good cholesterol in the body. One can exercise at least 5 times a week, for about 30 minutes to attain the best results.
Controlling Body Weight
Keeping cholesterol levels under control requires keeping your weight in check. Weight gain could result in an increase in cholesterol in the body. To keep it in control you could follow a healthy diet, cutting off sugar, and exercising regularly.
Following a Healthy Lifestyle
Most importantly, one must try to follow a healthy lifestyle. You can start doing that by controlling your drinking and smoking habits. As per reports, abstaining from smoking for a year reduces the risk of heart disease by half.
