Alternatives to Cholesterol Medicine

Cholesterol is a natural, fat-like substance, created by your body and absorbed from the food you eat, that circulates through your bloodstream. The two primary types of cholesterol are low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL). LDL is viewed as the "bad" cholesterol and can clog your arteries. HDL, the "good" cholesterol, breaks down and filters LDL out of your body by bringing it to your liver.

High cholesterol, especially high LDL, is a life-threatening issue that can leave you vulnerable to heart disease, increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

Why You Might Avoid Medication

• There are medications available to counteract high cholesterol, the most effective and common being statins. Statins work by altering the amounts of cholesterol created by your body. Like any medication, statins aren't a miracle cure and can have drawbacks. You may be unresponsive to statins or suffer from side-effects.

  There are alternative methods of dealing with high cholesterol levels. Healthy lifestyle changes can mitigate dangerous cholesterol levels and make a positive impact on your cardiovascular health.

Diet and Exercise

• You can improve your cholesterol levels by eating healthy and exercising more often.

  Cholesterol can enter your body from the food you eat. According to WebMD, eating fruits and vegetables can lower LDL. Fatty fish is also good for cholesterol because it's low in saturated fats while having omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids may help decrease cholesterol. Nuts and oats have also been found to lower LDL cholesterol.

  Foods like fatty meats and egg yolks, which are high in saturated fat or cholesterol, should be avoided.

  Going hand-in-hand with eating healthy is exercising. Including 15 to 30 minutes of exercise a few times a week to your routine can help improve your cholesterol levels.

  According to an article in U.S. News, published in February, 2008, exercise can increase HDL by 5 to 10 percent and possibly lower LDL. It can also lower triglycerides (which are similar to cholesterol---they are a fatty substance that circulates through your blood stream and can clog your arteries), improve blood pressure and help you maintain a healthier weight, which in turn can help prevent heart disease.

Supplements

• WebMD suggests that omega-3 fatty acids may help lower cholesterol levels and that they decrease the amount of triglycerides in your body.

  Niacin, plant sterols and soluble fiber supplements have been shown to improve cholesterol levels. They aren't without drawbacks, however. Niacin can raise blood sugar levels and may have other side effects when taken in conjunction with statins.

  Always consult your doctor before using any supplements to treat high cholesterol.