Improve your lifestyle and cholesterol levels
IMPROVE your cholesterol levels with a healthy lifestyle Hypercholesterolemia (= high levels of cholesterol in your blood) is a common condition which is increasingly affecting younger people as well, both in Fiji and worldwide. The main reason why high cholesterol is an issue is that it increases the risk for NCDs, in particular heart disease, type two diabetes and some types of cancer.
It's therefore important that you know what your cholesterol levels are and take action if necessary.
Luckily, there are some easy lifestyle changes that can greatly help you improve your health.
Is your cholesterol too high?
But let's take a step backwards first: how do you know if your cholesterol is high?
You should start by talking to your doctor who will prescribe you a blood test. In general, it's recommended that you check your levels of:
- Total cholesterol
- HDL cholesterol
- LDL cholesterol
- Total /HDL cholesterol ratio
- If possible: VLDL cholesterol
The reason why it's important to check not only your total cholesterol, but also the other types listed above is that HDL cholesterol is generally considered "good" (=potentially protective) while the other two - LDL and VLDL - are considered "bad" (=harmful for your health).
How can you improve your lifestyle?
Your lifestyle plays a major role in preventing and treating hypercholesterolemia since cholesterol is a type of fat whose levels are largely influenced by your diet.
Its main dietary sources are the following:
Cholesterol itself
Cholesterol is found in animal foods (rather than in plant foods), specifically in the high-fat ones such as cheese, cream, butter, fatty meat or eggs.
Trans fats
Our body can produce cholesterol when we eat trans fats as well.
These are commonly found in many fried, processed and junk foods, as well as in meat, dairy, refined oils and margarines containing partially hydrogenated ingredients.
Saturated fats
Cholesterol is produced when we eat saturated fats too. Saturated fatty acids are common in junk, processed and high-fat animal foods (like cheese, cream, butter or high-fat meat), as well as in palm and coconut oil.
So, the first step to prevent and treat hypercholesterolemia is to reduce your intake of cholesterol, trans and saturated fats from your food.
You should focus on healthier fats instead, like nuts, seeds (not fried or salted), avocado, olive or canola oil.
You should therefore avoid fried, processed and junk foods as much as possible, reduce your intake of animal foods (especially the high-fat ones), and eat more whole (=unprocessed) plant foods like fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, legumes, starchy crops and whole grains (in particular rolled oats, which are particularly effective at reducing cholesterol).
The second step is to cut down on alcohol and fizzy drinks and drink mostly water and home-made, unsweetened smoothies.
The third step is to lose weight if you are overweight or obese.
The forth step is to exercise regularly, with at least 30-60 minutes of moderate activity per day, such as walking at a brisk pace, dancing, cycling, playing tennis or volleyball.
THE Grand Eastern Hotel, as the name suggests, holds a majestic look like no other hotel in Labasa. It is the pride of Labasa town and the location and amenities make a total package.
The hotel features air-conditioned accommodation.
Among the facilities of this hotel are a restaurant, a swimming pool, a bar, a 24 hour front desk and room service, along with free WiFi.
Private parking is also available. It is close to the Gurbachan Singh shopping mall, Life Cinema, Subrail Park, Labasa Hospital and all other major amenities and is within walking distance from the main street of Labasa Town.
Contact our friendly and professional staff for a peaceful and beautiful space to relax.
Our restaurant is known as Colonial Arms Restaurant · seating capacity of 80 people;
· Can cater for all types of functions like birthday parties, cocktails and engagements;
· Located in the main town of Labasa; · Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner;
· The menu offers a wide variety of dishes ranging from Chinese, traditional Indian, Fijian cuisine, vegetarian and pizza; and
· Opening hours from 6.30am to 10.30pm daily.
Senidovu Bar
· Opening hours from 6.30am to 10.30pm; · Offers a variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages
· Happy hour is from 4pm to 8pm daily; · Located beside the swimming pool with fully air-conditioned.
· Ideal for in house guests and locals; and · Fresh chilled Fiji Gold draught available at all times.
Conference room
· The conference room allows you to entertain up to 20 guests seated at $220 per day on hire.
· It offers elegant decor and lends itself to a variety of different functions such as meetings, seminars, training, and interview;
· All bookings include data projector, screen, and whiteboard with marker, lectern, chairs and tables, writing pad with pen, mints, and water;
· WiFi is provided on request;
· Our catering menus are fully customisable and can be tailored to suit your type of event and guests' requirements;
· Talk to our professional and friendly team for advice on all the options to support your needs to ensure a smooth, professionally run function all in one location;
· Located in the main town;
· Located close to the Labasa Municipal market;
· Easy access to amenities such as supermarkets, service stations, banks, Gurbachan Singh Mall and the Life Cinema;
· Two minutes' walk away from Labasa Hospital; and
· Two minutes' walk away from the Gurbachan Singh swimming pool.
With the new extension project expected to complete by June this year the hotel will have additional 28 rooms which includes large apartments with new facilities equipped with some modern facilities.
The project will also include a jetty near the hotel where guests and other interested parties could enjoy day cruises to Mali Island, Kia Island, Vorovoro Island, Druadrua Islanda and cikobia island.