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Eat this to manage your cholesterol

Managing your cholesterol is an important part of staying healthy. But sometimes it’s hard to know which foods help boost good cholesterol and which foods are best to avoid.

Boosting good cholesterol has many health benefits, according to Dr. Daniel Cepin, a cardiologist and medical director of cardiology at Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center. “It helps with digestion, maintaining cell membranes, and producing hormones like testosterone and estrogen.”

Cholesterol comes from two sources: your liver and food. When cholesterol is derived from food, it comes from animal sources such as meat, poultry and dairy. Cholesterol levels are categorized by two types: low-density lipoproteins (LDL) known as “bad” cholesterol and high-density lipoproteins (HDL) known as “good” cholesterol.

To fight high cholesterol levels and to boost your HDL levels, Dr. Cepin recommends daily exercise and a healthy diet, including the following:

You should have your cholesterol tested every five years beginning in your 20’s. If you have an increased risk of heart disease due to diabetes, or a family history of heart disease, hypertension or other factors, you should especially pay close attention to your cholesterol, as high levels do not usually come with warning signs.

“Speak with your doctor about your personal risk factors for developing high cholesterol and any concerns you might have about your health now and in the future,” says Dr. Cepin.

Candy’s simple salmon recipe

Candy Cumming, a registered dietitian with the Sharp Weight Management and Health Education Program, offers this tasty salmon dish which is rich in omega-3 fatty acids.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup soy sauce
2 tablespoons brown sugar
Rind from one lemon
6 six-ounce salmon fillets

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix soy sauce, brown sugar and lemon rind then coat the salmon fillets with the mixture. Place salmon in the oven and bake for approximately 15 minutes. Serve with fresh green vegetables and a whole-grain side.

The recipe serves 6. Calories per serving is 390.

Go to mea.yourbesthealth.com to check out the following Best Health offerings to help you reduce your risk for high cholesterol and to learn how to earn points towards a Best Health Visa giftcard.