How to raise your high-density lipoproteins (HDL) level
How to raise your high-density lipoproteins (HDL) level
High-density lipoproteins (HDL) are the good kind of cholesterol. HDL helps clear the bad cholesterol, low-density lipoproteins (LDL), from your blood and helps keep it from clogging your arteries. High levels of HDL (60 or above) can protect you from a heart attack.
Best | 60 or higher protects against heart disease |
Good | 40 or higher |
Bad | Below 40 |
Changes in the way you live can raise your good kind of cholesterol. Things you can do to help raise your HDL levels include:
- Exercise regularly. Examples include brisk walks, jogging, cycling, or swimming laps.
- Lose weight if you are overweight.
- Stop smoking.
- Eat healthy foods especially fruits, vegetables, whole grains, olive oil, peas, beans, and fish.
- Avoid packaged snack foods and bakery items.
- Drink no more than one or two alcohol drinks a day.
Credits
| Author | Robin Parks, MS |
| Editor | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman, MATC |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Robert A. Kloner, MD, PhD - Cardiology |
| Last Updated | July 11, 2008 |
| Last updated: | July 11, 2008 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Robin Parks, MS |
| Reviewed By: | E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine, Robert A. Kloner, MD, PhD - Cardiology |
| Editors: | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Pat Truman, MATC |
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