As one show business performer was once quoted, “You are what your eat.” It turns out that what you eat does have a lot to do with your cholesterol levels that need to be balanced in the proper ratio in order to enjoy cardiovascular health. Blood tests give accurate readings of both the high-density lipoproteins (HDL) know as the “good” cholesterol and the low-density lipoproteins (LDL) called the “bad’ cholesterol. To complete the picture another blood test measures the triglycerides which are a blood fat. In the event that a senior’s triglycerides are higher than the healthy level it usually means that the seniors is consuming too many calories and needs to lose weight. Excessive sugar and alcohol consumption may also be the cause of the high triglycerides. To lower high triglycerides seniors need to eat foods with complex carbohydrates such as whole grains instead of white flour which is a refined carbohydrate. Taking fish oil supplements would also help.
It turns out that taking fish oil supplements will also help reduce unhealthy low levels of the HDLs, but eating fatty fish like salmon and mackeral will also help. Besides eating the fatty fish that are high in HDL friendly omega-3 fatty acid, seniors need to reduce their sedentary life style and engage in a moderate exercise program. The main cause of unhealthy high levels of the LDLs is eating foods that are high in saturated fats and trans fats. The solution for folks concerned about their senior health is to limit their intake of saturated fats and trans fats and increase their intake of foods that are high in soluble fiber such as apples, oatmeal, and kidney beans.
This is good news for seniors who are looking for reliable information to guide them to choose the preemptive aging steps that lead to cardiovascular health.