How to Control Cholesterol & Lipids

Lipids are fats that are stored in your body as an energy reserve. Cholesterol is a type of lipid that is found all over your body and is used in the building of cells and some hormones. While your body needs some fat and cholesterol, it is very easy to get too much through the foods you eat, which can lead to health problems such as heart disease and stroke. For some people, just watching their diet may not be enough to control cholesterol and lipids, and they may need to try other methods.

Instructions

• 1

  Eat a low-fat diet. While eating an abundance of foods high in cholesterol is not a good idea, it's even worse to eat a diet that's high in saturated fat and trans fat. Eat lean meats such as turkey, fish and chicken, stay away from fried and processed foods, and eat low- or no-fat dairy products.

• 2

  Eat plenty of fiber. Fruits and vegetables, in addition to being low in calories and having no fat, are full of dietary fiber, which can actually lower cholesterol, according to the Mayo Clinic. Other good sources of fiber include whole grains, such as whole wheat bread, oatmeal and brown rice.

• 3

  Limit your alcohol consumption. While heavy drinking can lead to an increase in a type of lipids called triglycerides, the Mayo Clinic says moderate drinking -- one drink a day for women or two for men -- has been linked to an increase in high-density lipoproteins, considered "good" cholesterol.

• 4

  Quit smoking. The Mayo Clinic says that cutting out cigarettes is another way to increase your good cholesterol. Quitting smoking also has other health benefits, including lowering blood pressure, improving lung function and lowering heart disease risk.

• 5

  Exercise regularly. The Mayo Clinic says that regular exercise can improve your cholesterol readings, and it recommends getting at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise daily. This can include walking, running, biking or swimming.

• 6

  Take medication. If lifestyle changes don't lower your cholesterol and lipids to acceptable levels, there are medications your doctor can prescribe to do the trick. These include statins such as Lipitor and Crestor, cholesterol-absorption inhibitors, bile acid reducers, and fibrates and niacin for triglycerides. These drugs can cause side effects, so they should be used as a last resort.