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.

Aerobic Exercise: This includes jogging, riding a bike, walking, or actual aerobic exercises. The goal is to raise your heartbeat and maintain that level for a period of 30 minutes or more. Thirty minutes is a minimum and you should aim for longer to improve results, so choose an activity that you enjoy. Exercise also serves the dual function of lowering LDL levels by decreasing fat stores on the body.

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.

Give Up Tobacco: A smoker who quits smoking will see an increase in the level of HDL in their blood. There, now you've got another reason to kick your habit as if you really needed it.

Eliminate Stress: Stress is called the silent killer for good reason. A positive relationship has been shown connecting stress to heart disease in the past. This does not speak directly to cholesterol, but why take chances while the science is being done? Stop to smell the roses more, leave work at work. Do something nice for your partner. This will help you to live a longer, happier life.

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.

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