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Controlling Cholesterol
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| Photo: Jason Antony |
Several risk factors may lead to unhealthy cholesterol levels. Some you control—some you can’t.
In your control:
• Weight. Maintain a healthy weight. Excess pounds negatively affect your cholesterol levels.
• Diet. Avoid saturated and trans fats, which make you more prone to high cholesterol.
• Sedentary lifestyle. Engage in a regular exercise program. Lack of exercise can raise LDL (bad) levels and lower HDL (good) levels.
• Smoking. Don’t. Tobacco use lowers HDL levels.
Out of your control:
• Gender. Men usually have higher cholesterol levels. Women’s LDL levels go up after menopause, erasing the difference.
• Age. An increased risk of high cholesterol comes after age 45 for men and 55 for women.
• Genetics. If a close relative suffered from early heart disease, your risk increases.
Herbs for Health
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