Lowering Cholesterol

The newspapers, TV and internet are full of it.  It seems that you cannot turn anywhere without being given dire warnings about the dangers of having too high cholesterol.

And no wonder.

Recent studies suggest that people with high cholesterol (or hyperlipidemia as the boffins call it) are at much greater risk of strokes, heart attacks and heart disease in general.  So I think it can safely be said that it is something we should all be looking out for.

That being said, it does seem that getting good practical advice for those of us rushing around does not seem to be as easy as we would like.

So we at PatientTalk.Org have decided to put together a list of ideas which you can use on a daily basis.

a) Eat whole grain foods like brown rice or whole-wheat pasta.  You might want to experiment with things like quinoa or bulgur wheat.  Porridge or rolled oats for breakfast are a winner.

b) Lots of fruit and vegetables.  I mean lots.  My mother suggests leaving skins on vegetables whenever possible.  So you can still peel pumpkins.

c) Don’t eat animal or chicken skin and fat.  You might even think of becoming vegetarian for at least some of the time.

d) Exercise.  There are lots of possibilities and we have covered a fair few on this blog. https://patienttalk.org/exercise-for-people-with-chronic-pain/

e) Give junk food the body swerve.

f)   Use olive and other healthier oils in cooking and dressings but do so sparingly.

g) Cook for yourself  and do try to eliminate processed food.

h)  Take a packed lunch to work or school rather than buying something when you are there.

i)   Oh yes and give up smoking.  But you knew that, didn’t you?

If you have any other suggestions please feel free to share in the comments box below.

Our readers would love to hear your story!