Cardiologist Anastasia Fomicheva: there are non-drug ways to lower cholesterol.
High cholesterol means that a person becomes susceptible to the risk of developing vascular plaques and related cardiovascular diseases, including heart attacks and strokes. Cardiologist Fomicheva emphasized in a conversation with Life.ru that it is very important to monitor cholesterol levels. The doctor also talked about ways to help reduce its excessively high concentration. According to the doctor, they can be both medicinal and non-medicinal.
There are also non-drug ways to reduce cholesterol levels. These include: losing weight, increasing regular physical activity (active walking or exercise daily for 30 minutes a day), reducing alcohol consumption. It would be good to limit the consumption of easily digestible carbohydrates, saturated fats, and also add more plant foods to the diet.
Doctor Fomicheva named ways to reduce cholesterol without drugs: one of the most effective, according to the expert, is adequate consumption of omega-3 fatty acids. For this, for example, you should eat fish
“Daily consumption of olive oil and fatty fish (trout or salmon) twice a week also has a positive effect. It has been proven that due to the large amount of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids they contain, they reduce cholesterol levels and the risk of heart attacks and strokes,” the cardiologist shared.
Other ways to reduce cholesterol without medication:
- Weight loss;
- Increase regular physical activity (at least 30 minutes a day);
- Reduce alcohol consumption;
- Reduce the amount of easily digestible carbohydrates consumed;
- Reduce saturated fats;
- Increase plant foods in the daily diet.
Speaking about medications for lowering blood cholesterol levels, Fomicheva added that statins are among the most well-known in this series.
“Statins should only be prescribed by a doctor, taking into account the lipid profile, the presence of vascular atherosclerosis and an assessment of the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases,” the expert recommended.
Earlier, the MedikForum.ru portal wrote that eating one banana a day is a good way to prevent heart attacks and strokes.
Important! Information is provided for reference purposes. Ask a specialist about contraindications and side effects and do not self-medicate under any circumstances. At the first signs of illness, consult a doctor.
Anastasia Fomicheva Health cardiologist