I came across this post in my archives and since we were drawing close to the end of the year, felt it was apt for this season.
It seemed like only yesterday when we started the year…and now it has practically run its course! At times like this, we all start to take stock of the year that is about to end: what we did and didn’t do. We all love to flog ourselves for all the plans we had that didn’t materialize but hey, for these last few weeks/days of 2010 just have a praise party! Focus on the good things and praise God and yourself for how far you have come this year. Be thankful that though you’re not quite where you would have liked to be, but you’re certainly better than you were last year. Indeed, you are one year older, wiser and I hope, healthier! 😀 And now, the question for the day speaks to a post I had made before and so I reproduce same below: Q: Dr, I would like to know how one can remove bad/excess cholesterol from the body. A: Now, the first lesson we all need to learn is that cholesterol is not completely a demon 😀 There is the good cholesterol and the bad cholesterol. So, when we talk about high cholesterol, we usually refer to the bad one, Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) Cholesterol, which can lead to blockage of the vessels and inevitably, a heart attack…not good news! But we do need the good one, High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. It mops up excess cholesterol and prevents LDL from being changed into the form that causes heart disease. Indeed, we are encouraged to take foods that increase this and this in turn improves heart health. So, what foods can help reduce bad cholesterol in the body and increase the level of good cholesterol? Here are some examples:Oats and other whole grains which form soluble fiber that reduce the absorption of cholesterol and in addition, give you a feeling of satiety for long. This prevents you feeling hungry more often and reaching for ‘unhealthy’ snacks 😀 Other foods in this group include okro, beans, apples, citrus fruits and garden egg (egg plants). Soya beans, heart healthy oils like Olive oil and Canola oil, nuts (which should only be served in handfuls) and fatty fish like mackerel also reduce LDL. Generally eating healthy with lots of fruits and vegetables, cutting out the white carbs (pastries etc), exercising (at least 150 minutes weekly), ensuring you are not overweight and quitting smoking.
Have a good evening everyone 😀