Learn about the difference between good and bad cholesterol and how to improve your levels when you need to.
Transcript:Bad and Good Cholesterol
Question: My “bad cholesterol” numbers seem OK, but my doctor tells me my “good cholesterol” is too low. What can I do to raise my good cholesterol?
Answer:
HDL cholesterol is called good cholesterol because the higher your HDL cholesterol levels, the lower your cardiac risk. While we’ve become fairly good at reducing the levels of bad cholesterol, we still don’t have great methods for increasing the levels of good cholesterol. But there are still a number of things that you can do.
How to Increase Good Cholesterol
Exercise, especially aerobic exercise is particularly good at raising HDL cholesterol levels, and the more you do, the higher the levels. If you’re overweight, getting down to a normal weight will increase your HDL cholesterol levels. Tobacco products greatly suppress the levels of HDL cholesterol, so if you’re a smoker, you should quit. There are a number of dietary measures you can take to increase your HDL cholesterol levels and these include cutting out trans-fatty acids from your diet and substituting good fats, such as those that you get with canola oil, olive oil, or avocados. Increasing soluble fibers and getting plenty of Omega-3 fatty acids, either from fish or from supplements. Also, a moderate amount of alcohol can increase your HDL levels, about the amount that you get with one glass of wine.
Drug Treatment Options
Drug treatment for increasing HDL cholesterol levels are less effective than drugs used for reducing the bad cholesterol. One drug that does work though is niacin, which is a B-vitamin. However, taking niacin in the appropriate doses, and in a way that reduces your risk of some of the very nasty side effects that go along with niacin, requires that you do this under a doctor’s supervision. Increasing your HDL cholesterol levels can be done, but it is a challenge. You should talk to your doctor about getting more individual advice for your specific situation. I’m Dr. Rich, thanks for watching.
