How to Lower Cholesterol in Women

Cholesterol is a common health issue today for women across the nation. What most women do not realize is that both good and bad cholesterol exist. Bad cholesterol builds up plaque in the arteries and causes heart disease and heart attack. Good cholesterol helps clear the blood of bad cholesterol by carrying it to the liver to remove it from the body. While many women under 50 may think that they are not at risk for cholesterol problems, exactly the opposite is true. While women are young, they need to take measures to prevent the development of high cholesterol.

Instructions

Steps to Lower Cholestrol

• 1

  Watch your diet. Foods that are high in saturated fat, such as fatty meats, processed meats, egg yolks, butter, processed grain products, and whole milk are also high in bad cholesterol. By avoiding these foods, you are sure to lower your cholesterol level. Foods such as fatty fish, nuts, oatmeal, and other foods fortified with stanols should be included in your diet, as they have been known to improve cholesterol levels.

• 2

  Engage in physical activity. Exercise is an important factor in keeping cholesterol at a moderate level. It is recommended that people engage in 30 to 60 minutes of exercise daily. (Ref. 1.) If you are not physically fit, walking is a great way to exercise. Activities such as aerobics, running, gymnastics, and yoga are other great exercise routines.

• 3

  Lose weight. This will reduce the level of bad cholesterol, while increasing good cholesterol levels. (Ref. 2.) However, if you lose weight, it needs to be maintained. Periods of gaining and losing weight are dangerous for your health and will not improve cholesterol.

• 4

  Changing your lifestyle is a primary factor in improving your health. Smoking and alcohol consumption are factors that increase cholesterol, as well as the risk of other health problems such as high blood pressure and heart disease. Smoking should be stopped and alcohol should only be used in moderation. For women, this means only one drink a day. (Ref. 1.)

• 5

  Take medication. If all else fails, see a medical professional who can test and monitor your cholesterol. If other health conditions are present, the doctor may recommend medication. However, medication should be taken as a last resort, because it often has unpleasant side effects. (Ref. 2.)