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