Smoking cigarettes is a risk factor for high cholesterol, and quitting smoking is one of the best ways to lower this risk.
If you smoke, you should try to quit. Quitting can lower your risk of heart disease and stroke, as well as improve your overall health.
In addition, smoking can increase the risk of some cancers. Quitting can help to reduce your risk of some cancers, including:
- Bladder cancer
- Lung cancer
- Mouth cancer
You should also quit if you have any of these conditions:
- Asthma
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- High triglycerides
- High LDL cholesterol
- High blood sugar
- High uric acid
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease
- High cholesterol
What to eat and drink to lower cholesterol?
Foods that lower cholesterol are good choices, including the following:
- Fresh produce. Fruit and vegetables are a good source of vitamins and minerals.
- Nuts and seeds. They contain healthy fats and proteins.
- Fruits and vegetables. They contain heart-healthy fiber and other nutrients.
- Herbs and spices. They contain antioxidants and may reduce blood pressure.
- Fish. They contain healthy fats and proteins.
- Low-fat dairy products. They are a good source of calcium and other nutrients.
- Plant-based oils and oils high in monounsaturated fats, such as olive oil. They are a good source of heart-healthy fats.
- Whole grains. They are a good source of fiber and vitamins.
- Legumes. They are a good source of fiber and protein.
- Nuts. They are a good source of healthy fats and protein.
- Green tea. It has heart-healthy polyphenols.
What to avoid to lower cholesterol?
You should avoid certain foods and drinks to help reduce your cholesterol. These include the following:
Fish. They are a good source of healthy fats and proteins. However, eating too much can increase your risk of high cholesterol.
You should also avoid or limit any of the following:
- Highly processed foods. These foods are high in fats and added sugars.
- Processed meats. These foods are high in sodium.
- High-fat dairy products. These foods are high in saturated fat.
- Red meat. These foods are high in saturated fats.
- Processed grains. These foods are high in salt.
- White bread. This is a high-sugar, high-fat snack food.
- White rice. This is a high-salt, high-fat snack food.
- White potatoes. These are high in cholesterol.
- Processed snack foods. These foods are high in fat.
What is the best way to treat high cholesterol?
You can treat high cholesterol by:
- Making a healthy lifestyle change. This includes eating more heart-healthy foods.
- Taking prescription medications. These drugs can help to lower cholesterol.
- Avoiding foods and drinks that are high in saturated fats and added sugars.
- Avoiding or limiting alcohol. This can increase your risk of high cholesterol.
Smoking and your cholesterol
If you want to stop smoking cigarettes, it’s important to know that nicotine increases cholesterol levels. Smoking also increases your risk of heart disease and stroke.
Smoking also increases your risk of lung cancer. Quitting smoking can help to reduce your risk of these conditions.
How can I lower my cholesterol?
To help lower your cholesterol, follow these tips:
Eat a heart-healthy diet. This includes a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats.
If you have diabetes, follow your doctor’s instructions about how much to eat and drink. It may also be helpful for you to:
Increase exercise. This helps to improve your heart health and lower your risk of heart disease and stroke.
Stay active. This can help to lower your risk of high cholesterol.
Stop eating or drinking something before you exercise. This may help to reduce your risk of high blood pressure.
If you want to help lower your cholesterol, it’s important to do what you can to stop smoking. If you smoke, you should try to quit. Quitting can lower your risk of heart disease and stroke, as well as improve your overall health.
If you have high cholesterol and you want to help lower it, your doctor may recommend taking one of these medications:
- Cholestyramine (Questran)
- Cholestyramine (Questran ULTRA)
- Cholestyramine (Questran Regular)
- Cholestyramine (Prevalite)
- Cholestanol (Colestid)
- Cholestyramine (Questran Light)
- Cholestanol (Colestid Ultra)
- Cholestyramine (Questran Extra Light)
- Cholestanol (Colestid Extra Light)
- Cholestyramine (Prevalite Ultra)
- Cholestyramine (Prevalite Regular)
- Cholestanol (Colestid Regular)
What else can you do to lower your cholesterol?
You can help lower your cholesterol by following these tips:
Eat more heart-healthy foods. These foods are a good source of vitamins, minerals, and heart-healthy fiber. They can also help to reduce your risk of high blood pressure.
Eat more low-fat dairy products. These foods are a good source of calcium and other nutrients. Plus, they can help to lower your risk of heart disease.
Eat more fish. These foods are a good source of healthy fats and proteins. They can also help to lower your risk of high blood cholesterol and heart disease.
Get more exercise. This can help to improve your heart health and lower your risk of heart disease and stroke.
Don’t smoke. This helps to reduce your risk of high blood cholesterol and heart problems.
