Home / Diet / Here’s How To Boost Your HDL Cholesterol Levels
Diet

Here’s How to Boost Your HDL Cholesterol Levels

There is a general misconception that cholesterol is bad for your health and heart. Fat is needed by the body to perform all metabolic functions.

Not all cholesterol is bad. The fats that you consume, contain cholesterol in them (the levels differ depending on the food category). And it is the bad cholesterol that plays havoc with your heart health. A high level of bad cholesterol (LDL), low levels of good cholesterol (HDL) are a cause for concern.

Here’s How to Boost Your HDL Cholesterol Levels

To maintain ideal cholesterol levels, wherein the levels of HDL is more than LDL calls for a proper diet and active lifestyle.

What is good and bad cholesterol?

HDL
Good cholesterol or HDL (High-Density Lipoprotein) is healthy cholesterol that is needed by the body. High HDL levels, not only help in lowering the levels of LDL, they also help in prevent heart diseases and stroke.

In fact, when a blood test is done to verify the cholesterol levels, doctors first read the levels of HDL. As long as the HDL levels are greater in proportion, in total cholesterol levels, you’re on the safer side. Numerous studies have proved that low HDL levels increase the risk of heart disease.

LDL
LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein) is bad cholesterol that causes plaque build up along the artery walls, causing blockages and resulting in heart attack. Higher LDL levels put you at a greater risk of having a heart disease.

If your blood tests have high LDL levels, it’s time to take measures through diet and exercise which can help in lowering LDL levels.

Triglycerides
The most common type of fat in our body are triglycerides. The excess energy from the food that you eat, is stored as triglycerides. High triglycerides, low HDL, and high LDL is the potent combination that can lead to heart disease.

Impact of cholesterol
Excess amounts of cholesterol in the body forms a thick layer in the artery walls. Over a period of time, the accumulation of cholesterol builds up like plaque and causes narrowing of the arteries. As a result, there is impaired circulation of blood. The blockages restrict the blood flow resulting in heart attack.

Keeping the cholesterol levels under check is the key to maintaining cardiovascular health. Work towards lowering the levels of triglycerides and LDL in your blood, while including foods that can help to increase the HDL levels.

Role of diet
Just as low glycemic diet can help to keep blood sugar levels under control, the right diet plays a vital role in maintaining healthy cholesterol levels.

To lower the LDL levels, you should eat food that is low in saturated fats and simple carbs. Cutting down on simple carbs also helps in lowering your blood sugar as well. Diabetics are at an increased risk of suffering from a heart attack. So, eating a diet that is devoid of simple carbs, helps both these health conditions.

A higher quantum of fiber and plant sterols in your diet can also help to cut down the LDL levels.

The inclusion of certain foods in your diet can help to boost HDL levels and protect your heart. Studies have shown that HDL has anti-inflammatory properties that is beneficial for the heart.

5 foods to boost your HDL levels

Nuts: Nuts like walnuts, hazelnuts, almonds, pecans, pistachios, peanuts are extremely good sources of heart-healthy fats. A fistful of these assorted nuts a day can greatly help to improve your HDL levels.

Sea food: Fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, tuna, halibut are a rich source of Omega 3 fats, a type of unsaturated fats that are good for heart health and also reduce the risk of heart attack. Include two servings of fish in a week. You can also have fish oil supplements. Flaxseed and hemp are also excellent sources of Omega 3 fats.

Olive oil: The Mediterranean diet is one of the most heart-friendly diets. The extensive use of olive oil, which is high in unsaturated fats, helps to increase HDL levels and stave off heart disease.

Avocado: Though high in fats, avocado contains healthy amounts of heart-friendly fats. Use it as a sandwich spread or substitute it for margarine.

Oatmeal: Containing a very high amount of soluble fiber like oatmeal which is one of the heart-healthy foods, can impact your HDL levels.

In addition to keeping a watch on your diet, maintaining an active lifestyle is very necessary. Physical exercise helps to boost your HDL levels. Workout for at least 30 minutes, 5 times a week. Cardio is very effective to promote heart health.

Keep your cholesterol levels under check and your heart will remain healthy.

Disclaimer:
The content provided on our blog site traverses numerous categories, offering readers valuable and practical information. Readers can use the editorial team’s research and data to gain more insights into their topics of interest. However, they are requested not to treat the articles as conclusive. The website team cannot be held responsible for differences in data or inaccuracies found across other platforms. Please also note that the site might also miss out on various schemes and offers available that the readers may find more beneficial than the ones we cover.

Most Recommended Blogs

Identification And Treatment Of Kidney Stones
Health & Wellness

Identification And Treatment Of Kidney Stones

Identification and treatment of kidney stones A kidney stone is formed when there is a gradual buildup of material in the kidney through substances in the urine. It has a plethora of causes and can affect any part of the urinary tract from the kidneys to the bladder. The stones can be as small as grains of sand or as big as pearls.
How Can You Control The Symptoms Of Liver Damage
Health & Wellness

How Can You Control The Symptoms Of Liver Damage

How can you control the symptoms of liver damage? The liver is an integral part of a human body. It is located just under the rib cage on the right side of the abdomen. The liver helps in digestion and removes toxins from the body. It filters out all the blood coming out of the digestive tract before it goes to the rest of the body.
Helicobacter Pylori (H. Pylori) Infection – An Overview
Health & Wellness

Helicobacter Pylori (H. Pylori) Infection – An Overview

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection – An overview H. pylori can be described as a common bacteria found in the human digestive tract. These have the tendency of attacking the lining of the stomach. These bacteria are the main reason for stomach infections. Typically speaking, H. pylori infections do not tend to be harmful, but they are responsible for ulcers in the small intestine and the stomach.
Everything You Need To Know About The Flu
Health & Wellness

Everything You Need To Know About The Flu

Everything you need to know about the flu Flu is a common viral infection that can affect anyone. In some cases, the flu can be deadly. It is often mistaken as other health conditions because of the symptoms it exhibits. Flu is contagious. Every person is affected by the flu at least once in their life.
Head And Neck Cancer Treatment Options In The Country
Health & Wellness

Head And Neck Cancer Treatment Options In The Country

Head and neck cancer treatment options in the country Most cancers of the head and neck are curable if they are caught at an early stage. Apart from eliminating cancer, which is the primary goal, preserving the functionalities of the nearby organs, nerves, tissues, and glands are also very important.
An Overview Of Frequent Urination- Causes, Symptoms, And Treatment
Health & Wellness

An Overview Of Frequent Urination- Causes, Symptoms, And Treatment

An overview of frequent urination- Causes, symptoms, and treatment Frequent urination, as the name suggests, is the recurrent urge to pass urine more often than usual. An individual’s everyday normal routine and sleep cycle can be disrupted by this condition. Frequent urination may be a sign of an underlying medical condition.
Things To Consider Before Going For Head And Neck Cancer Treatment
Health & Wellness

Things To Consider Before Going For Head And Neck Cancer Treatment

Things to consider before going for head and neck cancer treatment The head and neck are the most vital and fragile parts of the body. If diagnosed with head and neck cancer, there are a lot of things that should be kept in mind before starting the treatment. One should know how long the treatment would take and what are the chances of them defeating it.
Everything You Need To Know About Frequent Urination
Health & Wellness

Everything You Need To Know About Frequent Urination

Everything you need to know about frequent urination Frequent urination is called polyuria in medical terminology. Also called frequency, it is a condition many people live with and do not seek medical assistance as they consider it to be a normal thing. Frequent urination means a desire to pass urine more often than what is normal for them.
Best Detox Drinks That Can Help You Lose Weight
Health & Wellness

Best Detox Drinks That Can Help You Lose Weight

Best Detox drinks that can help you lose weight If you have tried a lot of methods to lose weight and still are unable to shed those extra pounds then detox water and other healthy drinks might be the answer for you. Drinking detox water helps the body in many ways.
Low Calorie Health Drink Ideas For Winners
Health & Wellness

Low Calorie Health Drink Ideas For Winners

Low-calorie health drink ideas for winners Low-calorie health drinks are becoming more and more popular with every passing day, as people start to realize the number of health benefits these drinks bring to the table. Healthy drinks not only have low-calorie content but also contain varying amounts of nutrients and antioxidants.
Signs And Symptoms Of Internal Hemorrhoids
Health & Wellness

Signs And Symptoms Of Internal Hemorrhoids

Signs and symptoms of internal hemorrhoids Hemorrhoids, also known as piles are of two types: internal & external. They are essentially swollen veins found in your anus or lower rectum and consist of blood vessels, elastic fibers, and multiple tissues. It is a common medical condition and found among most US citizens before they touch the age of 50.
Treatment Options For The Prolapsed Bladder Condition
Health & Wellness

Treatment Options For The Prolapsed Bladder Condition

Treatment options for the prolapsed bladder condition The bladder is a muscular sac located just behind the pubic bone, which stores urine. The front wall of the vagina supports the bladder in women, and it weakens or loosens with age. If it continues to deteriorate, it can lead to a prolapsed bladder or fallen bladder condition.
Everything You Should Know About Treating Gas Problems
Health & Wellness

Everything You Should Know About Treating Gas Problems

Everything you should know about treating gas problems Gas can be quite embarrassing to deal with, to say the least. However, the problem of a gassy stomach extends far beyond just embarrassment and can actually be a very painful experience indeed. Also known as flatulence, a gassy stomach is characterized by the excessive buildup of gas inside the digestive tract.
An Overview Of Fibromyalgia Pain
Health & Wellness

An Overview Of Fibromyalgia Pain

An overview of fibromyalgia pain Fibromyalgia is a condition that causes pain, stiffness, and tenderness in muscles, tendons, and joints throughout the body. People experience fibromyalgia pain differently, and its triggers vary from one person to another. The condition can affect anyone, but it is seen more often in women.
Remedies And Treatment For The Helicobacter Pylori (H. Pylori) Infection
Health & Wellness

Remedies And Treatment For The Helicobacter Pylori (H. Pylori) Infection

How to manage and treat the symptoms of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection? Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) are bacteria that enter our body and live in the digestive tract. They are usually harmless and infect the stomachs of roughly 60 percent of the world’s population. The spiral-shaped bacteria usually don’t cause any symptoms but have a tendency to attack the stomach lining, leading to diseases, including peptic ulcers and an inflammatory stomach condition known as gastritis.
Factors Triggering Fibromyalgia Pain And Ways To Alleviate It
Health & Wellness

Factors Triggering Fibromyalgia Pain And Ways To Alleviate It

Factors triggering fibromyalgia pain and ways to alleviate it Generally, when a person is injured or hurt, the signal travels all the way from the injury point to the brain and the brain comprehends this as pain. The brain signals the body to respond accordingly. Slowly, the pain lessens with time and treatment and finally goes away.