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Cholesterol – Manage stress to lower cholesterol

Coronary heart disease is

a growing problem all over the world. Over the last 50 years the percentage of urban people affected by the condition has gone up from 4 to more than 11 percent. Many believe that high blood cholesterol is a leading cause of the condition.  But the real cause is stress, because stress, in both men and women, contributes to high cholesterol levels.

Stress may arise from a number of reasons.

Work pressure, domestic worries or relationship issues. Whatever the cause, the body responds to it by releasing hormones. Such as adrenaline and cortisol, known as the stress hormone. This caused the heart to beat faster and increase blood supply to the brain. These hormones cause an immediate or short term rise in blood cholesterol. Overtime, this leads to a rise in the level of LDL, the bad cholesterol  and the fall in the level of  HDL, the good cholesterol.

Excess cholesterol clogging the arteries then becomes a risk for heart disease.

Rising stress also increases the release of sugar in the blood, which is controlled partly by cortisol. The excess sugar is converted into triglycerides (bad cholesterol) and gets deposited around the abdomen as fat. This again,  increase the risk of heart disease and other conditions such as diabetes.

How to cope with stress

Learning to manage stress calmly and skillfully not only prevents the negative effects of bad cholesterol. But actually increases the levels of good cholesterol in the body.

Here are some practical tips to manage your stress and bring down your cholesterol.

Take up exercise, exercising is essential to reduce stress. Regular exercise release endorphins, a hormones that relieve pain, reduces triglyceride and raises good cholesterol in the body. You can get the best benefits by exercising for at least half an hour, 5 or 6 days a week. Any form of exercise will do, but maintain an intensity and duration that can help you to burn enough calories.

Other options include swimming, running, skipping, jogging, cycling or a combination of aerobics and weight training.

A balanced diet is important

to help you feel healthy and positive. Eat more natural foods with good fibre, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains like brown rice, oats, pulses and lentils. Avoid red meats which are high in saturated fats, like mutton and pork and junk foods with trans fats.

Cut down on alcohol, tobacco and caffeinated drinks like tea and coffee that can negatively influence stress levels. Eat regularly and avoid either skipping meals or rush through your meals. Take your meals in a relaxed manner.

Research shows eating garlic can help lower cholesterol.

Have a hobby and indulge in a relaxing hobby like gardening, listening to or playing music, writing, volunteer work or painting. This will help you handle stress better in the long term.

Get enough sleep and ensure that you have sound and adequate sleep at night. Avoid habits such as working or watching TV on the bed that can interfere with sleep and aggravate stress.

Manage stress better by practicing meditation

spend quality time with family and friends and indulge in a pleasurable activity that helps you to unwind. Do not hesitate to seek counseling if you feel that you are unable to cope with stress in your life.

Remember, that stress is inevitable.

But it is up to you to manage its impact on your life to protect yourself from its adverse effects.

NATURAL WAY TO HANDLE YOUR STRESS