Staying Open-Minded About Your Healthcare

When I was first diagnosed with breast cancer, I didn't know what I was going to do. After the devastation subsided, I decided to take a very standard, western approach to my healing. Although initial efforts were successful, my cancer recurred a few months later. I endured many additional months of treatment before I started focusing on myself. I decided it was time to incorporate complimentary alternative treatments into my healing regimen, including massage therapy. I can't even begin to tell you how much it changed my life. My healing became a process, instead of something I simply had to endure. I hope that the articles on my website can inspire you to stay open-minded about your own healthcare.

Lowering Your Cholesterol

Health & Medical Blog

If you have high cholesterol, you are at greater risk of heart attack, stroke and heart disease. You want to do all you can to bring it down to normal levels in a natural way. There are many different types of medication you can take; these types of drugs can have adverse effects on your liver. Therefore, doing what you can on your own to combat high levels is a good idea. Try the tips below to bring your cholesterol down:

Increase your daily exercise

Exercising is a great way to control your levels. Regular exercise on a daily basis can help bring your bad cholesterol levels down, as well as raise your good cholesterol. Try to add 20 minutes of cardio exercise a day to your daily routine. If you are overweight, it's even more important for you to increase your daily physical activity since being overweight can also lead to raised cholesterol.

Eat more garlic

Fresh garlic can help to lower cholesterol in a natural way. Consuming garlic tablets or powder isn't as efficient at lowering your levels. Therefore, you should mince fresh garlic and use it in any and all dished you can.

Take niacin supplements

Niacin supplements are great for lowering cholesterol and it also raises your good cholesterol. You should get the proper dosage from your doctor before you take them. Be aware that taking too much niacin is common and it can cause you to become bright red and itchy. You can also get good effects by incorporating more niacin rich foods to your diet such as chicken, turkey, pork, beef, peanuts, avocado and peas.

Eat more grapefruit

Grapefruit is very good at helping you to achieve healthy cholesterol levels. If you are taking medication to also help lower your levels, be aware that you shouldn't eat grapefruit with certain ones. Therefore, it's a good idea to check with your doctor to verify grapefruit is alright for your situation.

If you have high cholesterol, you should be under the care of a doctor, possibly the care of a cardiologist. Before you make any drastic changes to your diet or begin taking anything to help with your cholesterol, it is always a good idea to get prior approval from your doctor or a specialist at a place like Henrico Cardiology Associates. It's important for you to have your levels regularly checked by having blood labs drawn. You will need to fast before you have your blood drawn, so always set your appointments for the morning hours.

Share

30 July 2015