Healthy Living Information

Six Steps to Raise Good Cholesterol Levels

You know all about bad cholesterol and its effects, that it can cause heart attacks or strokes if left unchecked. But what is this good cholesterol you keep hearing about? High-Density Lipoprotein or HDL is the good guy of cholesterol. If you've ever seen a commercial for Scrubbing Bubbles replace soap scum for bad cholesterol (LDL) and you have a pretty good idea of what HDL does inside your veins and arteries. So how can you increase the level of your good cholesterol? We have compiled six tips to help you do just that.

Get Active: To create more HDL, you are going to have to start exercising for at least thirty minutes a day. This does not mean joining a class or becoming a regular at the gym. It is more important to choose an activity that will raise your heartbeat, but that you can do for longer periods of time. Take walks, ride your bike, pick something that you enjoy. That way you can say you're having fun, not exercising. This will also trim down your waistline.

Eat Better: Exercise alone is not enough. You have to commit to eating healthier foods and limiting junk food. This doesn't mean you have to eat like a rabbit, just be smarter about your choices. Add more fruits and vegetables into your diet. Focus on dark greens when choosing your vegetables. Broccoli, asparagus and spinach are great choices.

Enjoy A Drink: It's not all bad. You now have a perfectly valid reason to have that cocktail at dinner. Enjoying one or two drinks a day has been shown to improve HDL in studies. Just don't over-indulge and you'll be fine.

Stop Smoking: Need another reason to quit? How about this, by giving up tobacco a smoker automatically raises their HDL?

Worry Less: Take the time to enjoy life more. Revel in the simple pleasures. Try to avoid getting caught up in meaningless drama. You will not only live longer, but those extra years will be happier. While it has not been directly linked to cholesterol directly, stress has been shown to adversely affect the heart.

Get More Sleep: Your body uses sleep to repair itself from the ravages of the day. Make sure you get a solid eight hours every night to eliminate physical stress from the body. Just like mental stress, physical stress affects your health negatively. Think of your body like a car and sleep as your 50, 000 mile tune-up. 

Author Resource:- More on What is Normal Cholesterol Level and What is Good Cholesterol?
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