Keep Your Workouts Fresh
Jan 31, 2012
Do you have high cholesterol or high blood pressure (hypertension)? Diet and lifestyle changes is the first step in keeping your heart (and other organs) healthy. A dietitian can help you come up with a realistic plan to meet your needs.
Elevated Cholesterol
Cholesterol is a waxy substance found in the fats (lipids) in the blood. While the body needs cholesterol to continue building healthy cells, having too much cholesterol can increase the risk of heart disease. High cholesterol can cause the development of plaque in the blood vessels, which constricts blood flow. If the heart does not get as much oxygen-rich blood as it needs, a heart attack may ensue. Likewise, decreased blood flow to the brain can cause a stroke.
Research has shown that medical nutrition therapy (MNT) provided by a Registered Dietitian alone can significantly improve blood lipid profiles. A study published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association in 1998 showed that MNT lowered total cholesterol levels 13%, LDL cholesterol (aka the "bad cholesterol") 15%, and triglycerides by 11%. This benefit was seen with just three or four sessions with a dietitian.
Hypertension
High blood pressure doesn't just harm the heart, but is also implicated in damage to the arteries, kidneys, and brain. Hypertension can quietly damage the body for years before symptoms develop. Left uncontrolled, one may wind up with a disability, a poor quality of life or even a fatal heart attack. Fortunately, with treatment and lifestyle changes, hypertension can be controlled to reduce the risk of life-threatening complications.
Lifestyle modifications have been shown to lower blood pressure, enhance the effectiveness of antihypertensive drug therapy, and reduce overall cardiovascular risk. Research has shown the following lifestyle/dietary interventions to be effective at lowering blood pressure in individuals with hypertension:
- Weight Reduction
- DASH eating plan
- Reducing sodium intake
- Physical Activity
- Moderate alcohol intake
- Dietary Fiber, Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium, and Fish oils
A dietitian can help you integrate some of these factors into your own diet/lifestyle.