Help Ocean City Fire-EMS Privacy

Log-in



If you forgot your password use our password recovery tool.

If you have any other problems logging on, click the help button above.

New User?
Register by clicking here

Lower Your Levels to Lower Your Risk!

Lightning StrikeSeptember is National Cholesterol Education Month! The problems of obesity, cholesterol, and heart disease have been widely publicized for years. Still, many of us don't get our cholesterol levels checked--or we know they are too high and ignore the problem anyway! This is dangerous, as high cholesterol increases the risk of developing heart disease. While there are factors affecting cholesterol levels you cannot change, such as heredity, age, and sex, there are other factors that you can control right now: your diet and weight! 

Your Diet

You should avoid the following:

  • Saturated fat. This is mostly found in animal products, e.g., fatty cuts of meat, whole-milk dairy products, and lard.
  • Trans fats. These are found mainly in food made with hydrogenated oils and fats. Examples include crackers, french fries, and stick margarine.
  • Cholesterol. This is only found in animal products.

You can also eat foods that actually help lower your cholesterol levels, including:

  • Fatty fish, e.g., tuna and salmon.
  • Nuts. Walnuts and almonds are especially good for cholesterol.
  • Oatmeal. This is said to be one of the best foods in terms of cholesterol.
  • Foods rich in fiber, e.g. , fruits, vegetables, and beans.
  • Whole grains. Consider replacing white pasta and bread with whole grain versions.

Your Weight

Being overweight increases LDL levels (the bad cholesterol), raises triglycerides (a fatty substance in the blood), and lowers HDL levels (the good cholesterol). Losing weight likely will help lower LDL levels, as well as triglycerides, and also raise your HDL levels. If you have excess weight, try altering your diet to reduce intake of harmful fats, cutting calories, and beginning a moderate exercise program. Once you begin to gain strength, you can increase the intensity of your workouts to increase weight loss. Consult a physician before starting any exercise program or significant change to your diet.

Keeping an eye on your cholesterol and taking steps to lower it can significantly lower the risk of heart and health problems in the future. Make sure to consult your doctor to find out what your levels are and take action to lower the numbers if they are too high. You won't regret it!

 
Home | Register | Password Recovery | Help | Privacy Notice