Many people are confused about the topic of cholesterol. Some mistakenly think that all cholesterol is bad when this is actually not the case. There are actually two types of cholesterol in the human body – LDL and HDL cholesterol. LDL is the bad stuff, the cholesterol that can form plaques and hard deposits in the body. When there is too high a level of LDL cholesterol in the body, it can result in heart disease, heart attack and other health problems.
The HDL type of cholesterol is actually good for you, as it is thought to protect against heart attack rather than cause it, because it removes excess LDL cholesterol from arterial plaques, preventing a buildup as a result.
It is important to understand how to increase the HDL in your body, to stay healthy and live longer. One of the best ways to increase HDL levels is to lose weight. Even by dropping just five to ten pounds, you can increase your HDL cholesterol levels significantly. To lose that weight, get started with aerobic exercise. Walking, jogging, bike riding and other aerobic activities are going to get your heart pumping and make sure that you are getting at least an hour of this exercise in each day.
Smoking can cause a decrease in HDL levels. If you are addicted to this awful habit, do what it takes to quit and it will be more than worth your while. The patch, the pill, the needle, hypnotherapy – there are more than enough options for stop smoking aids so you do not have to do it alone.
Try to cut down on the amount of alcohol you drink. A glass of wine at night is not bad but when you are guzzling a bottle each night, it is going to have a negative effect on your health. Even just two to three drinks a day can increase the HDL levels.
These are a few of the best tips on how you can increase your HDL cholesterol and get yourself as healthy as possible.