高胆固醇? Statins Aren’t the Only Solution

Under the American College of Cardiology 和 American Heart Association's new guidelines for statins, an estimated 13 million additional Americans qualify to take the cholesterol-lowering medications.

But statins are not necessarily the first option for everyone, doctors warn. While statins can be viewed as a quick fix, patience 和 a commitment to lifestyle changes, no matter how small, matter for long-term better health.

Here are three things you can do to lower cholesterol naturally:

Reduce saturated fats.

Avoid fried 和 processed foods. Limit dairy 和 meats. Eat foods high in fiber 和 whole grains. Transition to vegetables 和 fruits: Both are anti-inflammatory 和 ripe with antioxidants, which prevent stiff arteries 和 help reduce LDL ("bad") cholesterol. 

行动起来.

Buy a pedometer 和 walk at least 10,000 steps daily.

拔掉.

Mobile devices keep us connected to our lives while bombarding us with information — 和 creating stress. That leads to damaging stress hormones – cortisol 和 adrenaline, specifically – being released, paving the way for heart disease. Therefore, "downshifting" is crucial. Spend time with loved ones. 呼吸. Devote a part of your day to slowing down 和 having fun.

And remember to take baby steps 和 make changes they can live with. 最终, little changes — eating an apple, not a donut; unwinding with a walk instead of watching TV — can turn into big gains for heart health.