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š©ø Why I check my blood every 6 months (and how I lower my LDL cholesterol naturally)
Iām someone who likes to stay ahead of my health, which is why I get routine blood tests done every six months just to be safe. I recently had a general checkup to test the basics: HbA1c, kidney and liver function, and cholesterol.
Standard cholesterol panels actually look at four different markers:
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Total cholesterol
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LDL
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HDL
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A specific cholesterol ratio
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Today, I want to zero in strictly on LDL (low-density lipoproteins).
ā ļø The Hidden Danger of High LDL
Think of lipoproteins as proteins that carry fat through your bloodstream. Having too much LDL in your blood is incredibly dangerous in the long run. Over time, it causes your arteries to narrow, turning into plaque that restricts blood flow and creates blockages.
Think of lipoproteins as proteins that carry fat through your bloodstream. Having too much LDL in your blood is incredibly dangerous in the long run. Over time, it causes your arteries to narrow, turning into plaque that restricts blood flow and creates blockages.
When you get your lab results, you want your LDL levels to be closer to the lower end of the reference range. (HDL is the oppositeāyou want that one high!)
Depending on where you live, these ranges are regulated by the NHS and the British Heart Foundation (measured in mmol/L in the UK) or the American Heart Association (measured in mg/dL in the US).
š The Choice Is Yours: Medication vs. Lifestyle
If your LDL is creeping toward the top of the normal rangeāor sitting just above itāyou have two main options:
If your LDL is creeping toward the top of the normal rangeāor sitting just above itāyou have two main options:
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Improve your diet.
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Start taking a prescription statin.
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š„ 4 Non-Negotiable Dietary Changes to Lower LDL
If you want to tackle this naturally, you need to implement these four habits:
If you want to tackle this naturally, you need to implement these four habits:
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Eat more plants: Build up natural plant sterols in your diet.
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Load up on fiber: Start your day with a heart-healthy breakfast containing oats, like porridge.
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Incorporate healthy fats: Eat a variety of nuts and seeds (like flaxseeds) and foods like sardines and extra virgin olive oil.
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Cut the junk: Completely eliminate processed foods, especially those with a long shelf life.
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šÆ The 6-Month Challenge
If you strictly follow these guidelines for the next six months, I promise your LDL levels will drop by at least 30%. That is a massive, clinically significant reductionāand you can achieve it without needing a single pill.
If you strictly follow these guidelines for the next six months, I promise your LDL levels will drop by at least 30%. That is a massive, clinically significant reductionāand you can achieve it without needing a single pill.
Trust me, it definitely works. Have you successfully lowered your cholesterol through diet? Let me know in the comments! š
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