Acupuncture Treatment for High Cholesterol
High cholesterol is a type of fatty substance, also referred to as lipids, which are found in the bloodstream. If high cholesterol levels remain unchecked and untreated, it can lead to various health problems such as heart disease and stroke. Therefore, it’s important to have your cholesterol levels tested regularly to ensure they don’t increase beyond the normal range. Depending on the person’s lifestyle and any additional risk factors they may have, high cholesterol can be treated with medicines or lifestyle changes such as a healthy diet and regular exercise. By taking preventative measures to reduce high cholesterol levels now, you can help protect your heart and avoid future health issues.
High cholesterol levels can be a worrisome health issue, but thankfully there are several treatment options available for those who have high cholesterol. By working with your doctor to create an individualized plan, you can make lifestyle changes such as exercising regularly and eating a diet high in fiber, as well as taking medications if necessary. Some high cholesterol treatments focus on changing the ratio of different types of lipoproteins in your bloodstream. Additionally, high dosages of fish oil and plant sterols may also help reduce high cholesterol levels. It’s important to talk with your physician to create the best plan possible that works for you. With personalized attention and lifestyle changes, high cholesterol no longer has to be an issue. Here are some few things that you can implement in your lifestyle for combating cholesterol
- Keep your heart healthy by eating healthy foods.
- You can improve your heart health by making a few simple dietary changes.
- It is important to reduce consumption of saturated fats. Saturated fats, found predominantly in red meat and full-fat dairy products, raise your total cholesterol. Reducing your consumption of saturated fats can lower your LDL (low density lipoprotein cholesterol).
- Trans fats are often used in margarines, cookies and crackers that you buy at the store, as well as store-bought cakes, crackers and cookies. Trans fats raise cholesterol levels. By Jan. 1, 2021, partially hydrogenated vegetable oils will no longer be used by the Food and Drug Administration.
- Salmon, mackerel, herring, walnuts and flaxseeds are foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids don’t affect LDL cholesterol, but they reduce blood pressure.
- Oatmeal, kidney beans, Brussels sprouts, apples, and pears all contain soluble fiber, which can help lower cholesterol levels.
- In addition to eating dairy, consider adding whey protein. Whey protein has been shown to lower blood pressure, LDL cholesterol, and total cholesterol.
High cholesterol levels can be a difficult problem to manage, but luckily acupuncture and Chinese medicines have proven to be effective treatments. Studies have shown that these practices may improve high cholesterol symptoms such as high triglyceride levels, high LDL, and high VLDL. Acupuncture may help to reduce high cholesterol and helps promote the normalization of lipid metabolism. Chinese medicines also work in conjunction with acupuncture and utilize herbs that help improve metabolism and digestion, helping the body more efficiently break down ingested foods. All in all, acupuncture and Chinese medicine offer a viable option for high cholesterol treatment, giving those suffering from this problem an alternative to traditional western treatments.
