Every year, more than 100 million Americans suffer from excessively high levels of cholesterol. It goes without saying that cholesterol levels that are above the 200 mg/dL mark can cause major damage to the arteries and the heart muscle, which are problems that have been known to lead to heart attacks and strokes. Still, having high cholesterol does not necessarily mean that you're doomed for such cases. There are several strategies anyone can do to lower high cholesterol levels that can drastically reduce the risk of heart problems in many people. Here are a few to try:
Cholesterol Drugs:
Drugs like statins (Lipitor, Zocor, and Crestor) and niacin have proven to be very effective in lowering high cholesterol or the bad cholesterol in the body. Patients who have taken statins have seen their levels drop by more than 50% as a result. And those who have taken niacin have not only experienced a drop in their LDL levels but they have also seen an increase in their HDL (good cholesterol) levels as well. However, those who take these medications should always do so under the close supervision of a medical professional. Side effects can sometimes be quite severe and can lead to other serious health problems.
Cholesterol Diet:
Including dietary fiber in your diet helps to bring down cholesterol levels as well. High fiber foods like grains, beans, and fruits actually bind to the cholesterol and can bring on a natural drop in LDL levels by as much as 5%. Still, in order for the additional fiber in your diet to be effective you need to make sure that you are getting enough of it, which is a common problem for many. Researchers find that most adults need between 25-35 grams of fiber in their diet a day but the average consumption usually falls short at around 12 grams.
Cholesterol Exercise:
Physical activity is an excellent way to bring down high cholesterol levels. It is also highly effective in raising your good cholesterol up at the same time. Even patients who had already suffered a heart attack have been able to reduce their 'death risk' considerably by regular mild to moderate exercise. Keep in mind though, that exercising requires putting a lot more effort than putting the right foods on your plate or taking a pill or dietary supplement. Talk with your health care professional about the type of exercises you can do and the degree of energy you should be expending to avoid causing more health problems as a result. While exercising is a wise choice, experts recommend that you are careful in choosing the type of exercise to do.
Of course, these are not all the suggestions you can use when lowering high cholesterol. There are also dietary supplements, other medications, and adjustments to your daily eating habits that can also have a major effect on your cholesterol levels. Suffice it to say that those who take a proactive approach to managing their cholesterol levels in a responsible way, can see a major improvement in their heart health over time.