Did you know? There are more than 102 million people living in the United States living with high cholesterol.

Our team at AFC Urgent Care Athens, TN wants you to understand the importance of keeping your cholesterol levels within a healthy range, as well as ways to lower your cholesterol levels if they are found to be too high.

Is Cholesterol a Danger?

No, actually. Cholesterol is a waxy substance found in the body that produces hormones required for digestion.

While your body needs cholesterol to help it to function properly, too much cholesterol in the body can build up in your arteries, restricting blood flow. Over time, this can increase your risk of many medical conditions, including heart disease.

Risk Factors for High Cholesterol

• Excess weight
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Family history of high cholesterol
• Poor diet that includes saturated fat
• Smoking
• Diabetes
• Advanced age

How Can I Lower My High Cholesterol Levels?

When it comes to lowering your cholesterol levels in order to keep them within a healthy range, it is important to focus on what you are putting in your mouth on a daily basis. Your diet plays an extremely vital role in keeping your cholesterol levels in check.

While you want to focus on eating your servings of fruits and vegetables, you also want to focus on choosing plant protein rather than animal protein. Good sources of plant protein includes chia seeds, tofu, oats and quinoa. In addition, you want to make sure you that you are avoiding the bad fats and eating a moderate amount of the good fats.

Best Sources of Healthy Fat

• Avocados
• Olive oil and olives
• Nuts
• Seeds
• Fatty fish

When was the last time you had your cholesterol levels checked? Make an appointment with our AFC Urgent Care Athens, TN team or simply stop by for a checkup.