Rapid Fat Loss Diets

Thursday, December 4, 2008

Cholesterol Blood Test - Why You Need One

By Adrian Fletcher

When you are at your doctors office for the next medical check-up, inquire about getting a cholesterol blood test if it has never been done before. This will help to assess if there are some lifestyle changes you need to make to maintain good health. After you attain a certain age, testing for cholesterol and other medical tests are done at regular intervals to keep you fit and as healthy as possible.

The results of the cholesterol blood test indicate to your doctor whether or not your cholesterol is too high and whether you need to make changes in your lifestyle or eating habits to correct this condition. If it is too high, the most common first treatment step is a change in diet and an exercise program, followed by prescription medication.

Your cholesterol levels are significantly affected by your food intake. If you desire to improve or stabilize your cholesterol numbers, eating properly is crucial for this and for your overall health. However, you don't need to give up your favorite foods. It is helpful to seek help from a dietitian who will assist in developing a diet plan for you that will decrease your cholesterol levels and maintain them at healthier ranges. You most cases it is a simple case of portion control and switching certain ingredients.

If you are attempting to lower your cholesterol, there are many tasty foods available to you, and many different ways you can prepare them to maximize their nutritional value; finding healthy ways to eat the foods you love the most will help you stick to your diet and will help you get the best results.

You will be amazed at the vast array of cookbooks, online recipe columns, informative magazines, and heaps more available to you to help you prepare healthy, low cholesterol foods. Good, cholesterol friendly cookbooks will give you extensive lists of foods and just as importantly, teach you how to prepare them. Learning how to plan and prepare heart healthy, low cholesterol meals can be challenging and fun, and learning this new skill will help you incorporate these good habits into your lifestyle.

Your family's cooperation and support with your heart healthy cholesterol lowering diet will be paramount in your success. With their cooperation you will be able to clean your cupboards, refrigerator and freezer and replace all the foods that have contributed to high cholesterol with new, delicious, heart healthy choices. The changes you make could well have benefits for your family too if they eat some of the meals you prepare.

Within a few months of implementing your new habits, your health care provider will want you to have a new cholesterol blood test. A regular cholesterol blood test is the best way to ensure that your new habits are having the desired effect of lowering your cholesterol levels; if you are not making sufficient progress, you might need to make some additional changes. In addition to the test results, the way you feel will also indicate that you are moving towards a healthier lifestyle. - 17273

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