Improve HDL Cholesterol Levels Naturally
January 25th 2011 Posted at Natural Remedies
0 Comments
HDL cholesterol is the good cholesterol that helps remove excess bad cholesterol (LDL) from the bloodstream, which in turn reduces the build-up of plaque in the arteries.
There are number of strategies that can be used to improve HDL cholesterol levels naturally.
A low HDL level
- For men is one that is below 40 mg/dL
- For women a low HDL level is one that is below 50 mg/dL
The level for women is higher because they produce estrogen which aides in the production of HDL.
Good HDL levels
- Are considered to be above 60 mg/dL, which means that there is an optimal amount of HDL cholesterol for eliminating excess LDL from the bloodstream.
If your HDL level is lower than the recommended level, then there are a number of things you can do to improve HDL cholesterol levels naturally.
1. One thing that you can do is to try to lose weight.
This will achieve a number of different things including a reduction in the level of LDL cholesterol that is present in your body, as well as increase the HDL count. The other obvious benefit of losing weight is the increased satisfaction and self-confidence that you will have in yourself when you get rid of the extra pounds.
2. Exercise is another great strategy that can help you increase your HDL levels naturally.
Aerobic exercise when performed on a regular basis for 20 to 30 minutes can help burn excess fat and calories and get the heart rate up in order to increase blood and oxygen flow to the muscles and other organs in the body.
3. Another strategy that can help improve HDL cholesterol levels naturally is to eliminate foods that contain trans fat, saturated fats, and other harmful substances that can increase LDL cholesterol and reduce HDL cholesterol levels.
When foods that contain these types of substances are eliminated from your diet, HDL levels are improved.
- To ensure success, consider adding natural supplements to your diet.
They are extremely successful at raising HDL levels while lowering LDL.
- Stopping the bad habit of smoking is also a great way to improve HDL cholesterol levels naturally.
Not only does quitting smoking help improve HDL counts, but it eliminates the many other health risks that are associated with smoking.
- An overall reduction in alcohol is another valuable strategy that can help improve HDL cholesterol levels naturally.
It is recommended that men consume no more than one or two drinks per day, and women consume no more than one alcoholic drink per day.
You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.