The Best Things to Lower Cholesterol

High cholesterol can increase the likelihood that you will acquire a cardiovascular disease that can result in a heart attack or stroke. You should strive to keep your HDL ("good") cholesterol levels high because this removes excess cholesterol from your body; meanwhile, lower your LDL ("bad") cholesterol because it can block your arteries and lead to heart problems. Keep your heart healthy and lower your cholesterol by making positive choices about your diet and exercise. If necessary, your doctor may also prescribe medication to lower your cholesterol.

Diet

• Certain heart-healthy food options can help you lower your cholesterol levels. Soluble fiber is an excellent way to lower cholesterol. You can find it most prevalently in oatmeal and oat bran, but also in foods such as kidney beans, apples and pears.
  Nuts also can be good in your low-cholesterol diet. In particular, walnuts and almonds contain healthy ingredients to help lower your cholesterol. However, all nuts contain fat, so you should only consume a small handful per day or so.
  Fish contain omega-3 fatty acids, which are beneficial in lowering cholesterol. You should aim to have two or three servings of fish per week in your low-cholesterol diet plan. Cooking with olive oil instead of other types of oils can also improve your cholesterol levels.
  Red wine has some ingredients that have been found to lower cholesterol levels; however, doctors do not recommend that anyone who does not normally drink should start just because of this benefit. The same healthy ingredients may also be found in red grapes or blueberries as well as grape juice.
  As part of your heart-healthy diet, you should limit your intake of red meat, cheese and eggs.

Lifestyle

• Getting plenty of healthy activity in your day also can lower your cholesterol and keep your heart healthy. People who carry extra pounds (even just a few pounds, like five or 10) increase their cholesterol levels. So you should try to lose a few pounds in your efforts to lower your cholesterol levels. You can do this through a combination of healthy eating and regular exercise.
  Incorporating 30 to 60 minutes of exercise every day can greatly reduce your cholesterol levels. You can incorporate exercise into your day in small increments in order to fit it all in. Try taking the stairs instead of the elevator or performing yoga routines before bedtime for easy ways to add exercise to your day.
  You should also avoid smoking, and drink alcohol only in moderation. Tobacco and alcohol can add to cholesterol levels, and tobacco products cause strain on your heart and lungs. So avoid these products at all costs, and keep your alcohol consumption to one drink per day or less.

Medication

• Doctors may prescribe medication to lower cholesterol, but not as an easy solution. Patients who take cholesterol-lowering medications still have to maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle. Medications can help lower cholesterol, if diet and exercise are not sufficient to lower cholesterol to healthy levels.
  Your doctor may prescribe a variety of medications to help lower your cholesterol. Some medications called statins have proven effective in lowering cholesterol. These medications block cholesterol producers in your body and help your body absorb excess cholesterol that is already present. Other medications, such as niacin and fibrates, may also help to lower bad cholesterol levels. Your doctor will determine whether any of these medications could be the right choice for you.