by Stacey Parla
The first thing to understand about cholesterol is that there are three types of cholesterol levels that health care professionals measure. The three types are: Total Cholesterol, High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) Cholesterol, and Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) Cholesterol. Triglycerides are another type of fat in your bloodstream that health care professionals also measure.
Healthcare professionals recommend cholesterol levels fall within the range of 200 mg/dL or less for your total cholesterol level. Total cholesterol scores are calculated by adding together HDL + LDL + 20% of triglyceride level. It is also recommended to maintain your LDL level within a range that is less than 100 mg/dL. The recommendation for HDL levels is a range of 60 mg/dL or higher. And lastly, triglycerides should have levels that are lower than 150 mg/dL(1).
If you’re serious about maintaining healthy cholesterol levels already within a normal range, it may be beneficial to assess lifestyle choices such as diet and exercise.
It’s no secret that diet and exercise are key contributors to our overall health and well being. Avoiding saturated fat that is found in some baked goods, meats, deep-fried and processed foods can help you maintain your healthy LDL cholesterol level (3). Regular physical activity can help you manage your weight. Maintaining a healthy weight could possibly contribute to healthy LDL and HDL levels as well. Physical activity might also help you raise your HDL cholesterol level. Remember, HDL is the cholesterol level where having a higher level is desirable (4).
Lifelong cholesterol maintenance is important. Making healthy food choices can make a difference. Regular exercise may also play a role in your cholesterol levels. Cholesterol support supplements might help maintain healthy cholesterol levels already within a normal range.*
Did you know that chia seeds have been used in traditional recipes in South America for generations? Yes, you read that right: chia. You know, chia… those seeds you use to grow “hair” on a terracotta character. It turns out they have practical uses as well. In Central and Southern America, Chia seeds are a traditional food (5).
Chia seeds can be used to supplement your diet with essential fatty acids, fiber and protein.
A plant-based source of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, Chia seeds can be added to virtually any recipe. Because they have a neutral flavor you can sprinkle them into your favorite dishes without worry that they will overpower the flavor of other herbs and spices.
Chia seeds provide protein and dietary fiber. Adding fiber to your meals helps to lower the meal’s glycemic index. Lowering the glycemic index of a meal can help maintain blood sugar levels already within a normal range.* Fiber also plays a role in the maintenance of a healthy functioning of the GI tract and can support colon health (6).* Getting your daily recommended intake of fiber also helps maintain cholesterol levels already within normal range and promotes heart health.*
In addition to all of that, Chia Seeds provide the essential nutrients, Omega-3 in the form of Alpha Linolenic Acid (ALA) and Omega-6 as Linoleic Acid (LA). These essential fatty acids help support heart and skin health.* Chia seeds are also a natural source of plant-based antioxidants (6). So you see, they are so much more than a kitschy holiday gift!
Did you know that garlic is the edible bulb of a plant in the lily family? No? Well, did you know that garlic has been used as a traditional supplement and spice for thousands of years (7)? Did you also know that garlic supports healthy heart and cardiovascular function?*
Garlic also provides antioxidant support, which may be important for heart health.*
If eating pungent garlic cloves is not a pleasant thought, you may consider that garlic supplements are available in many forms, some of which are “odorless.” How do they create odorless garlic supplements, you ask? A specialized cold processing method helps preserve the natural goodness of the garlic while helping to reduce the odor that some find offensive.
Ready to discover an innovative supplement that works to promote cardiovascular and circulatory wellness?* If you are concerned about maintaining healthy cholesterol levels already within normal range, Cholest Wise can help!* This special supplement blend contains several beneficial ingredients: Flush Free Niacin, Garlic, Fish Oil with Omega-3 Fatty Acids, Policosanol, Plant Sterols, and Pantethine. Diets low in saturated fat and cholesterol that include 2 g per day of plant sterols eaten with meals or snacks may reduce the risk of heart disease. A serving of Cholest Wise supplies 0.6 g of plant sterols.
Above all, it is important to remember that diet and exercise play key roles in your overall health and well being and should be an integral part of your personal wellness plan.
