| Many people are walking around, feeling | | | | avoided. Sorry, ice cream is on the |
| absolutely wonderful, with a ticking | | | | list. However, a yummy sorbet is not. |
| time bomb lodged in their arteries. No, | | | | Products containing saturated fat are |
| the explosive device will not literally | | | | contributors to the garbage pile. |
| blow a body to smithereens. However, | | | | Conversely, high fiber edibles can |
| the probable concussion is capable of | | | | actually help take some of the garbage |
| causing deadly heart attacks and | | | | away. For example, oatmeal is |
| strokes. Until the volatile situation is | | | | advertised to help in lowering high |
| diffused, an individual is walking a | | | | cholesterol. True! Certain foods |
| minefield of detonation apparatus. | | | | basically absorb excess cholesterol and |
| The bomb is high cholesterol. Now, once | | | | carry the garbage away. Eating more |
| found, how can an individual rid the | | | | fruits and vegetables, and consuming |
| body of high cholesterol before time | | | | fish, rather than fatty red meats, are |
| runs out? The answer is easy; the | | | | also healthy eating choices. If in doubt |
| solution is difficult. The first step | | | | as to heart-healthy foods, a family |
| to lowering high cholesterol is | | | | physician will be glad to give a patient |
| developing new habits. Although the | | | | the needed information. |
| answer is easy to state, the | | | | Finally, do not be the preverbal couch |
| implementation is likely the most | | | | potato. Get into an exercise routine. |
| difficult undertaking of an individual's | | | | If money is tight, and membership in a |
| life, because the new habits require | | | | fitness club is not an option, do not |
| smoking cessation, maintaining a | | | | worry. Exercise is free. |
| heart-healthy diet, and developing an | | | | For examples, take a brisk walk every |
| exercise routine. | | | | day; instead of exercising the arms |
| First, a former smoker will freely | | | | while holding small weights, grab a |
| admit, the addictive properties of | | | | couple cans of vegetables; or ride a |
| tobacco products make quitting seem like | | | | bike. Many people join spas and clubs |
| self torture-for a time. Many will also | | | | for the motivational support. No |
| confess, success came after more than | | | | problem! Friends and family are free. |
| one attempt to break the habit. | | | | Start an epidemic of good health. Get |
| However, the initial price of denying an | | | | physically fit, together. |
| addiction, and beginning a new habit of | | | | How can exercise contribute to lowering |
| improved health, is worth the | | | | high cholesterol? The answer is |
| investment. Outwardly, a person will | | | | relatively simple. Exercise builds |
| immediately cease smelling like a | | | | muscles and burns fat. Coupled with a |
| walking ashtray. Inwardly, the body | | | | healthy diet, cholesterol will not have |
| begins the process to clear up the | | | | the opportunity to collect on the artery |
| lungs, and improving circulation | | | | walls, because excess fat is being |
| throughout the body. | | | | burned and exercise improves |
| So, what does smoking have to do with | | | | circulation. |
| high cholesterol? Plenty! Smoking | | | | Physical fitness is a win-win situation. |
| actually causes the blood vessels to | | | | An individual will ultimately feel |
| constrict. Now, imagine the narrowing | | | | better, and the effort will become a |
| highways of blood circulating past | | | | valuable tool used to defuse the ticking |
| obstructions of plaque, or fatty | | | | time bomb called high cholesterol. |
| deposits, in the system. | | | | In summary, lowering high cholesterol is |
| Over time, if the obstructions are not | | | | essential for good cardiovascular |
| removed, the highways of blood coursing | | | | health. If a doctor diagnosis unsafe |
| through the body will eventually hit a | | | | cholesterol levels, an individual is |
| total roadblock. Then, without warning | | | | essentially a ticking bomb waiting to be |
| an individual will suffer a debilitation | | | | detonated. |
| deadly stroke or heart attack. Before a | | | | Unless, and until, the health concern is |
| roadblock cuts life short-quit smoking! | | | | addressed, the patient is a prime |
| Yes, now a person has one more | | | | candidate for a heart attack or stroke. |
| compelling reason to stop subjecting the | | | | In many cases, the patient has no second |
| body to tobacco. | | | | chance to lower high cholesterol. So, |
| A second new habit to establish is a | | | | do not ignore the numbers. Immediately, |
| heart-healthy diet. The expression, | | | | an individual can take appropriate steps |
| "garbage in, garbage out" is appropriate | | | | to begin lowering high cholesterol. |
| to consider, when attempting to lower | | | | First, quit smoking! Make the decision |
| high cholesterol. Consuming garbage | | | | to do whatever it takes to break the |
| foods will ultimately create destructive | | | | addiction. Second, make the life-long |
| waste in the veins, in the form of high | | | | choice to eat a healthy low-fat diet. |
| cholesterol. If the waste is not | | | | Trade in the cake and ice cream for |
| removed, and steps are not taken to keep | | | | fruity desserts like sorbet. Last, |
| the garbage from collecting again, an | | | | build muscles and increase |
| individual will likely suffer the | | | | cardiovascular health with regular |
| consequences of neglecting to lower high | | | | exercise. Do not put off, until |
| cholesterol. | | | | tomorrow, what should be done today. |
| Now, what are garbage foods? | | | | Create new habits. Otherwise, tomorrow |
| Essentially, high fat foods should be | | | | may never come. |