MY HDL IS LOWER THAN IS SHOULD BE , CAN THIS EFFECT MY HEART AND WHAT CAN I DO TO IMPROVE IT
I AM TAKING LIPiTOR FOR MY CHOLESTEROL FOR THE PAST 5 YEARS AND IT IS NOW AT 5 WHICH IS THE WAY IT IS MEASURED IN EUROPE HOWEVER RECENTLY I HAD A RANDOM CHECK DONE WITH PHIZER THE DRUG COMPANY AND THE TEST SAID THAT MY HDL WAS SHOWING A LOWER READING THAN IT SHOULD = WHY WOULD THIS HAPPEN IS MY QUESTION AND COULD IT BE THE REASON THAT I AM SUFFERING FROM HIGH CHOLESTEROL. CAN I DO ANYTHING TO IMPOVE MY HDL AND IF SO WOULD IT HELP TO LOWER MY LDL
MANY THANKS
Hi Mary,
One of the best ways to increase your HDL is through physical activity. Work you way up to 60 minutes 5 or more days each week. If you're not currently physically active, consult your MD before starting an exercise program.
Here's an article on raising HDL - Long workouts best for raising good cholesterol.
Selecting healthy fats, such as omega 3's, will also raise HDL while lowering LDL. As your HDL increases, your LDL will decrease as a result. HDL collects cholesterol dropped on artery walls and transports it back to the liver for reprocessing and removal from the body. (I think of HDL as a vacuum cleaner!)
All the best,
Lisa Nelson, RD, LN
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