Table of Contents
Why does my HDL keep dropping?
Smoking, carrying too many pounds, and lack of physical activity tend to lower HDL. So does a diet high in refined carbohydrates (white bread, sugars, etc.). Medications such as beta blockers, anabolic steroids, progestins, and benzodiazepines can also depress HDL.
How long does it take for HDL to increase?
Most studies show it takes an average of 9 months, Higgins says. If you do high-intensity training, you may see improvements in HDL levels sooner, possibly in as little as 8 weeks, Higgins says.
What exercises increase HDL?
Regular exercise is an important part of a healthy lifestyle and can also increase HDL cholesterol levels. Aerobic exercises, such as running, biking, and swimming, along with moderate weight training are good choices to help best boost those good cholesterol levels.
What are the best ways to increase HDL levels?
One popular diet type that’s been shown to increase HDL levels is known as a Mediterranean-style diet. “By far the best way to increase HDL is to decrease your triglycerides,” says Patrick Fratellone, MD, an integrative cardiologist in New York City. “This means the less carbohydrates you consume, the better your HDL will get.”
What are the effects of having low HDL levels?
Having low HDL levels can put you at an increased risk for heart disease, and raising them can lower that risk. Certain dietary and lifestyle changes can help boost your HDL levels, but the rate at which that occurs varies from person to person.
Do you need high-density lipoproteins (HDL)?
It might go against everything you thought you knew about cholesterol, but you actually need high-density lipoproteins, also known as HDL cholesterol. Having low HDL levels can put you at an increased risk for heart disease, and raising them can lower that risk.
Do statin patients need to boost HDL cholesterol levels?
July 23, 2010 — Traditionally, patients at risk of heart disease are told to lower their levels of “bad” LDL cholesterol while raising their levels of “good” HDL cholesterol. But patients taking statin drugs who reduce their LDL cholesterol to very low levels may not need to boost their HDL cholesterol levels, according to a new study.