| With more and more evidence piling up confirming the | | | | undue health risks. |
| idea that certain types of cholesterol reduce the | | | | *Weight management: Being overweight and a large |
| chances of both heart attack and stroke it is no | | | | belt size are two commonly accepted signs of |
| wonder so many people are wanting to know how | | | | impending cardiovascular trouble ahead. Shedding |
| do I increase my HDL. HDL stands for high density | | | | those extra pounds will lower bad cholesterol and |
| lipoproteins and are often simply referred to as good | | | | raise good cholesterol. It will also decrease pressure |
| cholesterol. They are aptly described as scavenger | | | | on your skeletal structure thus making exercise |
| molecules which carry excess cholesterol out of the | | | | easier and less painful. |
| body through that not so glamorous mechanism | | | | *Stop smoking: I have heard people say that they |
| known as solid waste disposal. But perhaps their | | | | are willing to do anything to improve their |
| most impressive attribute is their ability to eliminate | | | | cardiovascular health except give up their beloved |
| preexisting vascular plaque deposits, thus reversing | | | | cigarettes. Nevertheless, if you fall into this group you |
| the cycle that is responsible for a heart attack or | | | | should know that smoking dramatically suppresses |
| stroke. So now we that we know a little more about | | | | HDL. |
| high density lipoproteins let's move on to our main | | | | *Trans fats: Just like smoking trans fats raise bad |
| topic of how do I increase my HDL? | | | | cholesterol and reduce good cholesterol so reducing |
| How Do I Increase My HDL | | | | their consumption is a good idea. The problem is that |
| *Exercise/Physical Activity: One of the best ways to | | | | many foods contain "partially hydrogenated vegetable |
| increase the number of high density lipoproteins | | | | oil" and trying to eliminate all of them would have you |
| floating around in your body is through a consistent, | | | | eating sprouts 24/7. The best rule of thumb here is |
| almost daily, exercise program lasting approximately | | | | be smart with your food choices and when you do |
| 30 minutes. Just staying active 30 minutes a day has | | | | notice your favorite food contains partially |
| been shown to raise HDL, lower LDL (bad | | | | hydrogenated vegetable oil don't overdo it. |
| cholesterol), and reduce triglyceride levels. If you are | | | | *Monosaturated fats: Who said all fats were bad! |
| embarking on an exercise program for the first time | | | | When asking how do I raise my HDL monosaturated |
| make sure you start slow, pick an activity that is | | | | fats certainly are worth a mention. Recent research |
| easy on your joints, and perhaps most importantly | | | | suggests that such foods as avocados, avocado oil, |
| check with your doctor to make sure you are | | | | walnuts, almonds, pecans, and olive oil can increase |
| physically able to exercise without encountering | | | | HDL without increasing total cholesterol. |