In recent years, with the improvement of living standards and changes in diet structure, high blood lipids have become a major health concern for people. High blood lipids not only increase the risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases but also have adverse effects on various systems of the body.
Thus, lowering blood lipids has become a focus of attention for many people. In this process, walking more is considered a simple and effective way. However, doctors say that eating four types of food may be better than walking.
Hyperlipidemia:
Hyperlipidemia refers to the level of lipids (such as cholesterol and triglycerides) in the blood exceeding the normal range. It mainly manifests as elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), decreased high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C), and increased triglycerides (TG).
Hyperlipidemia is a chronic metabolic disease. If not controlled for a long time, it can increase the risk of coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction, stroke, and other cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. For patients with hyperlipidemia, active and effective treatment and intervention measures should be taken.
What are the normal values for blood lipids?
According to the World Health Organization’s standards, the normal value for total cholesterol in adults should be below 5.2 mmol/L. The normal value for triglycerides should be below 1.7 mmol/L. The levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) are also important indicators for measuring normal blood lipids.
Under normal circumstances, HDL-C should be above 1.0 mmol/L, and LDL-C should be below 3.1 mmol/L. It is important to note that high blood lipids do not cause significant symptoms in the short term, so regular blood lipid tests are necessary to promptly detect and control the hazards of high blood lipids and maintain good health.
Walking more can help lower blood lipids.
Previous research has found that activities like walking and aerobic exercise help lower blood lipid levels. Walking can improve cardiopulmonary function, promote metabolism, accelerate fat burning, and thus reduce the lipid content in the blood.
However, the effectiveness of walking in lowering blood lipids varies depending on individual factors such as intensity of exercise and duration, and not everyone can significantly lower blood lipids through walking.
Be careful. These 5 signs indicate high blood lipids.
1. Red palm.
Under normal circumstances, the color of the palm should be pale with a translucent quality, elastic, and moisturized. However, if the fingers are redder than the palm, it indicates poor blood circulation.
If your hands are very red, especially on the palms, it indicates high blood lipids.
2. Stiff and numb fingers.
Normally, fingers are very flexible and should not feel stiff or numb. If blood lipids are too high, the fingers may become stiff and numb.
Since the fingers are far from the heart, if there are circulation problems in the blood, the fingers may not receive sufficient blood supply, resulting in numbness.
3. Chest tightness, fatigue.
If you often feel chest tightness and fatigue, it should be taken seriously as it is related to elevated blood lipids. When blood lipids significantly increase, the nutrients needed by the heart and lungs may not be supplied promptly, which can reduce the function of these vital organs and lead to chest tightness and fatigue.
If this condition persists for a long time, it is important to lower the viscosity of the blood promptly to ensure these vital organs receive sufficient nutrients and alleviate these adverse symptoms.
4. Leg cramps.
People with high blood lipids may often experience heel cramps or numbness. If calcium deficiency is ruled out, it may be a sign of high blood lipids.
High blood lipids can cause cholesterol to remain in the muscles for a long time, leading to muscle shortening, which can result in leg cramps and foot pain.
5. Veins visible on the right palm.
Normally, when there is high blood lipids, clear blue veins can be seen on the palm. According to traditional Chinese medicine theory, the middle finger of the right hand represents the heart and brain, so if you find that the middle finger of the right hand is connected to the palm.
If there are prominent blue veins, you need to be vigilant about the health of your cardiovascular system. However, if there are clear blue veins on the back of the hand, there is no need to worry; this is a normal phenomenon.
Doctor’s recommendation: Eating four types of food may be more effective than walking.
1. Garlic.
Garlic contains abundant polysaccharides and sulfur-containing compounds, which help lower cholesterol levels and prevent coronary artery calcification.
It is recommended to eat two cloves of raw garlic daily, preferably crushed to allow the nutrients to be absorbed more effectively.
2. Hawthorn.
Hawthorn has a sweet and sour taste mainly due to the presence of organic substances like hawthorn acid, which, when consumed regularly, can enhance spleen and stomach functions and improve digestive issues like indigestion.
For individuals with high blood lipid levels, regular consumption of hawthorn can also help improve their lipid status.
The lipase in Hawthorn can promote digestion, thereby lowering blood lipid levels, effectively promoting the excretion of lipid substances, softening blood vessels, and reducing the formation of blood clots.
3. Aloe vera.
Aloe vera is a highly nutritious food containing vitamins, carbohydrates, various enzymes, minerals, amino acids, and other nutrients, which can improve blood circulation, eliminate acne, nourish the skin, and relieve constipation.
Body fluids are alkaline, and consuming aloe vera products can alkalize body fluids, promoting overall health. Eating a moderate amount of aloe vera products daily can help the body reduce the absorption of fats from food, aiding in detoxification and weight loss.
4. Oats.
For many individuals with high blood lipids, they believe they should avoid meat and fish but forget that high carbohydrate and high sugar mainstays can actually affect blood lipid levels. Consuming too many refined grains can also lead to starch and sugar accumulation.
Moreover, sugar, after passing through the liver, is converted into fat, causing an increase in blood lipids. It is recommended to consume more whole grains like oats, which contain plenty of dietary fiber that can clear lipid substances, effectively lowering blood lipids.
Once high blood lipids develop in the body, it can cause severe damage and greatly increase the risk of various diseases such as atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, and pancreatitis.
Therefore, apart from adopting excellent dietary habits, it is crucial to monitor changes in the body. When the skin shows the above 5 signals, it may indicate high blood lipids and prompt medical examination and treatment.
