Cholesterol is a fat in the body that is essential for many metabolic processes. Cholesterol is produced by the liver and is also made by most cells in the body.
We need a small amount of cholesterol in our blood because our bodies use it to:
- Build the structure of cell membranes
- Make hormones such as estrogen, testosterone, and adrenal hormones
- Help your metabolism work properly, for example, cholesterol is essential for your body to produce vitamin D
- Produce bile acids, which help your body digest fats and absorb important nutrients.
Unhealthy cholesterol levels can be genetic and can also be the result of lifestyle. Factors such as a diet high in trans fats and saturated fats, obesity, diabetes, lack of exercise and smoking can increase the risk of developing high blood cholesterol.
As we age, everyone’s risk of developing high cholesterol increases. This happens because our bodies become less efficient at removing cholesterol from the blood than when we were younger.
High cholesterol is a serious problem that seniors should never ignore. If left untreated, it can affect the heart, arteries, gallbladder, liver, and intestines of seniors
What simple steps can seniors take to maintain healthy cholesterol levels?
Here are five natural ways older adults can maintain healthy cholesterol levels to reduce their risk of heart disease, stroke, and other serious problems:
1. Exercise
Moderate exercise is an important lifestyle habit that can help prevent high cholesterol. Exercise can also help older adults manage stress. Older adults who are anxious and stressed may be at higher risk for high cholesterol.
Any type of exercise, even a leisurely walk, can have a beneficial effect on blood lipid levels. Before encouraging your older loved one to join a walking program, check with their doctor to make sure they are healthy enough to increase their activity level.
If your loved one has a health condition or mobility issue that makes exercising alone difficult, you may want to hire a trained caregiver to help your parent exercise safely. When considering home care for seniors, families should ensure that their aging loved ones have the resources they need to stay independent and healthy.
2. Lose Weight
One of the most important interventions in managing high cholesterol is weight loss. Obesity can cause your loved one to develop low levels of high-density lipoproteins. These blood fats, also known as good cholesterol, are thought to protect against plaque buildup in the coronary arteries, so they should be high rather than low.
3. Avoid Smoking
Smoking is another risk factor in the development of high cholesterol. It increases total cholesterol and can decrease high-density lipoproteins and increase low-density lipoproteins. Smoking can also increase triglycerides, which can increase the risk of heart disease.
4. Consume Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Another effective strategy for lowering cholesterol is to consume foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids. These foods include almonds, walnuts, and fatty fish like salmon. If your loved one cannot eat salmon or nuts, ask your doctor about taking an over-the-counter omega-3 supplement. T
5. Limit coffee intake
Coffee is considered a healthy addition to a senior’s diet because it is rich in antioxidants. However, it also contains some lipids and oils that can increase the risk of high cholesterol levels. While coffee filters reduce the amount of oil that goes into the coffee, they cannot filter out all the unhealthy oils. A cup of coffee a day may not affect cholesterol levels, but drinking too much can increase your loved one’s low-density lipoprotein. These blood lipids are also known as bad cholesterol and can increase the risk of heart disease.
