Keys to Reduce Cholesterol

The two types of cholesterol found in the body are HDL and LDL cholesterol, according to the American Heart Association. Keys to reducing LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) include losing weight, quitting smoking, therapeutic lifestyle changes (TLC) diets, moderate alcohol consumption and cholesterol-lowering medications. Exercising and diet changes are usually suggested by doctors before cholesterol-lowering medications are prescribed. Individuals with high LDL cholesterol levels should speak to their doctor about developing a plan to reduce their cholesterol levels to reduce their risk of heart disease.

Weight Loss

• Shedding a few extra pounds will help you reduce your LDL cholesterol levels.

  Being even slightly overweight contributes to high cholesterol, according to the Mayo Clinic. Losing as little as five or 10 pounds can help reduce cholesterol levels. Medline Plus suggests avoiding foods high in fat and sugar, reducing alcoholic consumption and exercising at least 30 minutes per day, three times a week, to lose weight.

Quitting Smoking

• Smoking significantly decreases HDL cholesterol levels (good cholesterol).

  Smoking cigarettes lowers HDL cholesterol and causes 20 percent of all deaths from heart disease, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. After a person quits smoking, his HDL cholesterol levels will rise to normal levels within a few weeks or months, and his LDL cholesterol level will drop slightly.

Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes Diet

• Consuming healthy foods, like fish and salad, helps reduce LDL cholesterol levels.

  Following the therapeutic lifestyle changes (TLC) diet helps people lower their cholesterol through their diet, according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. The TLC diet is targeted toward people who need to lower their high LDL cholesterol levels. People following the TLC diet should consume less than 200 mg of cholesterol per day, consume less than 7 percent of their total calories from saturated fat, consume 2 grams of plant sterols per day and eat between 10 and 25 g of soluble fiber per day, according to the American Heart Association.

Moderate Alcohol Consumption

• Moderate alcohol consumption lowers LDL cholesterol levels; however, high alcohol consumption is detrimental to health.

  Moderate alcohol consumption lowers LDL cholesterol levels and raises HDL cholesterol levels, according to State University of New York. Consuming moderate amounts of alcohol also reduces blood pressure, blood insulin levels and arterial plaque, and increases coronary blood flow. Moderate alcohol consumption is defined as consuming no more than one drink per day for women and no more than two drinks per day for men, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Cholesterol-lowering Drugs

• Cholesterol-lowering medications are often prescribed for people with abnormally high LDL cholesterol levels.

  Cholesterol-lowering drugs are another option for people with high cholesterol levels, according to the American Heart Association. Doctors usually suggest that patients try reducing their cholesterol through exercise and the TLC diet before taking cholesterol-lowering drugs. Statins are the most common type of cholesterol-lowering drug, according to the Mayo Clinic. Statins work by blocking the production of substances the body needs to produce cholesterol.