Keeping Your Cholesterol in Check

If you need help with cholesterol management in Phoenix, AZ, Dr. Kevin Chan and the team at Pineapple Health can help you achieve your goals.

Why Is Cholesterol Management Important?

The body relies on cholesterol, as it’s essential to the process of building cells and making hormones. As it’s a necessary component, the body produces the cholesterol it needs.

When there is too much cholesterol in the body, it leads to a build-up of plaque that makes a home on your blood vessel walls. The thicker this plaque gets, the less space blood has to flow to your organs.

Constricted blood flow can lead to several issues, including heart attack, stroke, and chest pain. Monitoring and managing cholesterol is the best way to prevent these issues.

Steps to Manage Cholesterol

Genetics and age are two potential causes of high cholesterol. Unfortunately, there is not much you can do about those factors. However, daily habits can also cause high cholesterol, and those are things you can control. Following the steps below is a great way to start.

1. Be Careful What You Eat

What you take into your body can significantly impact your cholesterol levels. Start changing your diet by:

  • Reducing saturated fats
  • Increase omega-3 fatty acids, such as those found in nuts and salmon
  • Eat lean meat, beans, oatmeal, and vegetables
  • Add plant protein
  • Eat more whole grains and avoid refined grains

2. Manage Your Weight

Being overweight or obese is often a factor in high cholesterol. Losing weight, even in small increments, can help lower your cholesterol levels. Watching what you eat can go a long way towards weight loss.

You should also aim for about 2.5 hours of exercise per week. You don’t have to be overweight to experience lower cholesterol levels through exercising, though. And you do not need an intense workout.

Instead, try moderate cardio and small steps throughout the day, such as taking the stairs instead of the elevator. Or find an activity you enjoy, such as biking or martial arts.

3. Quit Smoking

Smoking can increase your cholesterol levels, so quitting is imperative to your health. As that’s easier said than done, consider reaching out for help in this area.

4. Get Medical Intervention 

Managing cholesterol doesn’t have to be complicated, but it can be overwhelming when doing it alone. Dr. Chan at Pineapple Health in Phoenix, AZ can help develop a cholesterol management plan for you, recommend any vitamins and supplements, and provide medication when necessary.

If you need help developing an effective cholesterol management plan in Phoenix, AZ, make an appointment with Dr. Chan and the multidisciplinary team at Pineapple Health by calling (480) 961-2366.

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