How Krill Oil Can Help Prevent and Reduce High Cholesterol Naturally
6 minute read
Lowering high cholesterol and ensuring cholesterol levels stay at a healthy level are essential to your heart and cardiovascular health. The many benefits of omega-3 fatty acids are often used to help with heart health, but does something like krill oil, which contains omega-3s, actually help with cholesterol? How?
If you’ve ever been in the health supplement aisle of the store, you have likely seen krill oil. Recently overtaking fish oil in popularity, krill oil has proven itself a better way of getting numerous important nutrients important for heart health. Here is what you should know.
Krill and Your Cholesterol
Krill are small, protein-rich sea crustaceans that contain beneficial oils full of essential omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3s are used across the globe to boost health and prevent disease.
While both fish oil and krill oil both contain the essential omega-3s known as DHA and EPA, it has been proven that krill oil contains more. The fatty acids in krill oil are also more bioavailable, which makes it easier for your body to absorb and actually use them.
With a more potent source of omega-3s in a smaller package, the benefits of the supplement really do speak for themselves. One additional treat is that you don’t have the fishy aftertaste with krill oil.
Omega-3 fatty acids are both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory by nature. This makes them essential to health and well-being.
High cholesterol has been linked to inflammation and free radicals. The large amount of omega-3s found in krill oil can help to protect your body from inflammation as well as oxidative damage.
EPA and DHA both reduce triglyceride levels in your blood as well as total cholesterol. The reduction in triglycerides and cholesterol protects your blood vessels from damage which can contribute to heart disease.
With regular krill oil supplementation, you get lower cholesterol, healthier blood flow, and a stronger heart.
How You Can Help Lower Cholesterol Too
Krill oil supplements can help reduce cholesterol at a molecular level. When taken as part of a healthy lifestyle, you can promote overall heart health in no time.
Along with krill oil, there are other things you can do to keep cholesterol levels low. When it comes to cholesterol, bigger numbers are not better, so combine krill oil with these tips below to give your heart nothing but the best.
Pay Attention to Your Fats
Fats are essential for health and body function. Just make sure you are eating the right fats.
Monounsaturated or polyunsaturated fats such as those found in nuts, olive oil, and avocados are healthier for you. Saturated and trans fats that you find in processed and snack foods increase cholesterol, which can lead to clogged arteries.
When you are smart about the fats you consume, you can regulate cholesterol and reduce blood vessel damage. Omega-3s found in krill oil are a perfect example of the healthy fats you want to eat more of.
Cholesterol-Friendly Diet
What you eat directly impacts the levels of cholesterol in your blood. Avoiding unhealthy fats is essential, but there are several foods that naturally work to keep cholesterol levels low as well.
When used in conjunction with krill oil, a cholesterol-friendly diet can successfully reduce your risk for heart disease. The best foods to eat include avocados, legumes, nuts like almonds and walnuts, fatty fish, fruits and berries, whole grains like oats, and even dark chocolate.
Eat Plenty of Fiber
The beneficial flora that live in your gut crave soluble fiber. Your body cannot digest it, but they can and produce beneficial vitamins while protecting your gut health.
In addition to this, they reduce harmful lipoproteins that contribute to increased cholesterol levels. Increased intake of dietary fiber has been shown to reduce risks of high cholesterol as effectively as leading statin medications.
Get Exercise
Exercise is beneficial for your entire body. Levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol are significantly reduced with regular physical activity. Exercise also improves heart rate and circulation, leading to the effective elimination of harmful cholesterol.
| Related: Howie Mandel: Thinking You’re Fit Doesn’t Stop High Cholesterol |
Because obesity is also associated with high cholesterol, staying active can reduce weight which will reduce cholesterol.
No Smoking
Smoking damages more than your lungs. It also increases your risk for heart disease because it impacts the way your body handles cholesterol.
The immune cells in smokers are not able to return cholesterol to the blood as well, so it can be delivered to the liver for elimination. With more cholesterol left in your blood, the risk for clogged arteries and heart disease increases.
Quitting smoking has been shown to produce immediate improvements, so it is never too late to give up.
Drink in Moderation
Like smoking, alcohol consumption can increase cholesterol when excessive. Drinking in moderation is the key, so your liver has time to detoxify your body.
Heavy drinking can slow your liver function down, which means greater risk of cholesterol staying in the blood.
The Bottom Line
Krill may be small, but they pack a big punch when it comes to boosting your health. Omega-3s have long been known to benefit brain health, but the benefits they have for your heart are just as amazing.
Such small creatures can make a big impact on your heart by reducing cholesterol and promoting healthy circulation and heart function.
