5 Simple Ways for Aging Adults to Lower Cholesterol Levels

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Tips for Aging Adults to Lower Cholesterol Levels in Lincoln, CA

High cholesterol is a serious issue older adults should never ignore. When left untreated, it can impact a senior’s heart, arteries, gallbladder, liver, and intestines. Here’s a quick look at five steps older adults can take to maintain healthy cholesterol levels.

1. Replace Beef with Poultry

To boost the production of good cholesterol, the American Heart Association recommends a diet that includes lean cuts of poultry. Red meat is a great source of protein, but it also has quite a bit of saturated fat. When your senior loved one wants to eat red meat, he or she should stick to lean cuts that have limited marbling. Some nutrition experts also believe broiling a cut of meat instead of frying it in a pan can reduce the amount of saturated fat. 

Seniors who need help preparing nutritious meals should consider professional in-home care. At-home care providers can benefit aging adults in a variety of ways. From cooking nutritious meals to offering timely medication reminders, the dedicated caregivers at Home Care Assistance are available to help your elderly loved one 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

2. Maintain a Healthy Weight

Overweight and obese seniors need to stick to a diet that allows them to maintain a healthy weight. Losing just ten pounds over the course of a few months can lower bad cholesterol levels by 8 percent, and reducing daily caloric intake by a few hundred calories could boost health within just a few weeks. As a general rule, overweight seniors should try to lose around nine or ten pounds per month.

3. Change the Way Vegetables Are Cooked

Many people cook their vegetables with margarine, thick sauces, or sugary herb packets. Making homemade seasoning blends is a good idea because you can control exactly what goes into your loved one’s meals. Marjoram, basil, thyme, oregano, rosemary, dill, and garlic are all excellent seasoning options for seniors who want to lower their cholesterol levels. Your parent might also want to consider replacing butter and margarine with extra virgin olive oil or some type of oil made from seeds. 

Switching to nutritious meals is just one of the many ways older adults can boost their health. Seniors who want to remain healthy as they age can benefit in a variety of ways when they receive professional home care. Lincoln, CA, Home Care Assistance is here to help your loved one accomplish daily tasks, prevent illness, and focus on living a healthier and more fulfilling life.

4. Don’t Replace Fats with Sugars

Healthy fats are vital for maintaining good health, and your loved one should never replace them with refined sweeteners. Many companies that offer low-fat foods put an incredible amount of sugar in their products to alter the flavor profiles. A sugar-rich diet could increase your loved one’s risk of type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and many other cardiovascular issues.

5. Eat More Fiber

With a high-fiber diet, the body can’t absorb as much unhealthy cholesterol. Seniors who want to maintain healthy cholesterol levels should try to consume around 30 grams of fiber per day. Fiber can be found in hundreds of different foods, including beans, whole grains, leafy green vegetables, nuts, and berries. Taking fiber supplements is another option, but they can cause gastrointestinal distress.

From exercising to preparing healthy foods, there are several tasks seniors may require help with. Every senior has different needs when aging in place. Some simply need occasional assistance with household chores, while others may be managing serious illnesses and require more extensive live-in care. Lincoln seniors can count on Home Care Assistance to provide the in-home care they need and deserve. To learn about our high-quality in-home care services, give us a call at (916) 226-3737 today.

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