Early this year I got a report in the mail stating that my cholesterol was high.  That was it. Just a piece of paper with a note telling me to come back in three months. It was kind of depressing. I am only 35-years-old.

So eventually I got over the depressing part and ran across a book in the bookstore. Cholesterol Down appealed to me because it is a plan for lowering cholesterol without using prescription drugs. It is also a healthy plan for people who already take statins to  help lower cholesterol. Also important to lowering cholesterol is simply understanding what your numbers mean–this books helps with that, too. What I like about this book the most is that while it targets certain foods that can help lower cholesterol, it also promotes overall healthy habits for a long life.

I have been working at incorporating the steps into my lifestyle one at a time, instead of trying to do them all at one time. Some of these foods you may have heard of as being heart healthy: oatmeal, garlic, flax seeds and beans. Each chapter is devoted to a food or supplement. The appendices include delicious recipes, a cholesterol progress chart, an exercise plan, and some ways to assess your risk for heart disease.

There are a lot of healthy heart resources not found in your doctor’s office. Some of the information you may already know while some may be new. The most important thing is to choose one that works for you because it can provide a lot of positive reinforcement.

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