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You
probably know that cholesterol comes in two varieties -- so-called
"good" and "bad." But if your doctor is like most it's LDL
cholesterol, the kind that hardens the arteries and causes heart
disease, that gets most of his attention.
However,
if physicians reminded their patients of ways to boost healthy
dietary fat, more progress could be made in the fight against heart
disease, according to a new report in The New England Journal of
Medicine.
Good
cholesterol, or HDL, is manufactured from polyunsaturated fats found
abundantly in olive and canola oils, nuts and cold-water fish such
as salmon. These healthy fats lower LDL cholesterol levels by
preventing fat from collecting on the inner linings of the arteries,
where it can block blood flow.
Other
diet and lifestyle changes can help raise HDL levels as well.
Tips on boosting HDL cholesterol:
• Get
your vitamin B3. Proper niacin intake can raise HDL by 20 to 35
percent. But diabetics should use niacin supplements with caution.
• If
you're overweight, lose weight, even if just a few pounds. A loss of
two or three pounds can raise HDL levels.
• A
brisk walk four times a week can increase good cholesterol 3 to 9
percent.
• Quit
smoking. Ditching the cigarettes can raise good cholesterol levels,
especially in women.
•
Limit processed carbohydrates. Whole grains increase HDL levels.
•
Drink red wine once a day -- but just one glass. Otherwise, don't
drink at all.
If High Cholesterol is threatening your health consider
CholesterolCare our guaranteed cholesterol lowering natural
supplement.
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