Smoking and consuming alcohol can also increase cholesterol levels. Alcohol contains high-calorie sugar and this sugar turns into fat, which increases triglycerides.
The body has many different types of cholesterol. Even though it requires a certain amount of cholesterol, which is known as good cholesterol, excessive amounts of it can be fatal. Apart from that, triglycerides are also considered quite dangerous and an increase in them can cause heart attacks as well.
According to reports, an excessive amount of triglycerides in the blood causes hardening of the arteries. This condition is called arteriosclerosis. In this condition, the arteries tend to become hard and thin. This leads to blockage and causes a heart attack. So, to avoid arteriosclerosis, it is important to keep triglycerides in check. As per reports, it should be up to 150 milligrams per decilitre or 1.7 millimoles per litre. Now, let’s look at some tips to control them:
Avoid Junk Food
To reduce triglycerides, it is advised to avoid unhealthy food. This includes processed food, sweetened drinks, corn syrup, items containing animal products, excessively fried items, excessively sweet items, etc. This will only increase the carbohydrates, which will lead to an excess of triglycerides.
Reduce Weight
Even though an increase in weight is always harmful to the body, it also hurts the heart condition as well. With an increase in weight, people have more calories in their bodies. As calories are accumulated, this will increase the triglycerides. It is important to reduce weight to reduce triglycerides.
Avoid Smoking and Alcohol
Smoking and consuming alcohol can also increase cholesterol levels. Alcohol contains high-calorie sugar and this sugar turns into fat, which increases triglycerides. This can further be one of the biggest reasons for a heart attack among consumers.
Regular Workouts
If triglycerides or cholesterol are increased, then one should exercise regularly. Physical activity of 30 to 45 minutes daily plays an important role in reducing triglycerides, or cholesterol. This will increase good cholesterol. If good cholesterol increases, then the levels of bad cholesterol and triglycerides will reduce.
Consuming a Healthy Diet
One of the best ways to keep cholesterol in check is to have a healthy diet. It has been advised that more vegetables and fruits be consumed. It has also been advised that people should shift to a plant-based diet to keep their hearts healthy. Apart from that, almonds, walnuts, olive oil, salmon fish, chia seeds, and pumpkin seeds should also be consumed.