How Can I Cut Cholesterol Without Losing Weight?

High cholesterol is a health condition that can lead to blocked arteries, which in turn raise your risk of heart attack or stroke. If you are lucky to survive either one of those episodes, you still run the risk of partial paralysis or damage to your heart. That's what makes cutting your cholesterol so important. This can be achieved without losing weight.

Caloric Intake

• In order to lose weight, you need to reduce your intake of calories. This is a common approach used to lower cholesterol as well. But if you do not want to lose weight, leave your caloric intake right where it is.

Exercise

• Exercise is therapeutic to the body in a number of ways. It can help increase your range of motion, promote better circulation, strengthen your bones and, according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, it can also help lower your cholesterol levels. Exercise for 30 minutes a day. To avoid losing weight but still get the cholesterol lowering benefits of exercise, keep your intensity moderate. Walking is a good example.

Restriction

• Avoid foods that are high in dietary cholesterol, saturated fat and trans fats. Eggs, high-fat dairy products, deep fried foods, processed meats and commercial baked goods that have hydrogenated oils are all examples of high-cholesterol foods to avoid.

Soluble Fiber

• Fiber comes in soluble and insoluble forms. According to the American Heart Association, foods that are high in soluble fiber can help lower blood cholesterol. Foods that are high in soluble fiber include peas, beans, oatmeal, oat bran, apple pulp, citrus fruits, barley and rice bran.

Fish

• Cold water fish contain an omega-3 essential fatty acids. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, this type of fat can help lower cholesterol levels. Fish that are high in omega-3s include salmon, halibut, tuna, sardines, mackerel and herring.

Habits

• Smoking is a habit that not only causes damage to your lungs, but it can also cause damage to your arteries and lead to elevated cholesterol levels. Give up smoking to cut your cholesterol.

Medications

• If lifestyle modifications did not cause your cholesterol levels to go down, you can talk to your doctor about getting a prescription medication. Statins, fibrates, bile acid binding resins and niacin are all examples of these.