cholesterol Archives - Be Well Solutions

Heart Month-Boosting Soluble Fiber to Knock Down LDL

February is American Heart Month. There are so many ways to be proactive in taking care of your heart health such as exercising, managing stress, reducing sodium intake, switching to healthy fats, and increasing your soluble fiber intake. Are you wondering to yourself “What is soluble fiber?” Soluble fiber lowers LDL (lousy, bad) cholesterol and is found naturally in many types of foods. Try adding soluble fiber rich foods into your meals to help support your heart. Sources of Soluble Fiber Vegetables Certain fruits and vegetables are higher in soluble fiber than others. Brussels sprouts, carrots, winter squash, broccoli, peas, etc. provide soluble fiber. Be inspired by the rainbow when picking produce. Choose different colors to give your body a variety of nutrients. Try this penne pasta dish that is loaded with soluble rich foods including broccoli and garbanzo [...]

Stroke Awareness Month

Stroke Awareness Month May is recognized as Stroke Awareness Month. Up to 80% of stroke cases can be prevented through lifestyle changes, and yet it remains the fifth leading cause of death in the United States. Non-fatal strokes can also be tragic and life-altering. High blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, and obesity are controllable stroke risk factors. You can manage these risks by eating a well-balanced diet, being physically active, maintaining a healthy weight, limiting alcohol intake and not smoking. Exercise plays an important role in reducing your risk of stroke by lowering high blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels. According to the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, adults need 75-150 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity or 150-300 minutes of moderate-intensity activity each week. To reap the most benefit, this exercise should be broken up and spread out throughout the week. There [...]