Trying to Lower Your Cholesterol? Here are a Few Tips

You know you've got high cholesterol but you are not sure how to lower that LDL number. Can munching on a few walnuts decrease your cholesterol? How about a bike ride? A couple of uncomplicated alterations to your eating habits, working out and also other heart-healthy routines, along with the right medication, and you'll be on your way to a healthier you.

Here a few food items that will help you conquer your battle with cholesterol as well as a few to stay away from.

• Nuts - Most nuts help reduce your risk of heart disease, though because they are high in fat, try not to eat too many. Walnuts are especially great as they are rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids and help keep blood vessels healthy.

• High-Fiber Foods - These type of foods (such as oatmeal) drag cholesterol out of the body before they get into circulation. Try eating foods like fruits, beans, and lots of leafy greens.

• Olive Oil - A little Olive oil on a salad, or with a grainy pasta will give you the antioxidants you need to keep your body's "good" cholesterol in check while lowering your body's "bad" cholesterol.

These are but just a few examples. Various foods lower cholesterol in different ways. Try to eat foods that give you soluble fiber. And some contain plant sterols and stanols, which block the body from absorbing cholesterol. For a more in-depth look you can visit the Harvard.edu website.

Some people effected by high levels of bad cholesterol feel that if they are not overweight, there is no need for exercise. This could not be further from the truth. It has been proven that even just moderate physical activity can help raise the "good" cholesterol while at the same time lowering the "bad". Of course, always check with your doctor before starting any exercise regime.

Even exercising in 10-minute intervals throughout the day, can help you reach your goal.

• Take a walk
• Ride your bike
• Have a swim
• Play outdoors with your children

• Diet

• Exercise

• Medication

As you have just read above, diet and exercise are a great way to reduce LDL cholesterol. But sometimes, it takes a little more. Sometimes there is no way around the fact that you may have to take medication.

There are several types of cholesterol-lowering medication out on the market, but it seems statins are the most widely used. Statins work by inhibiting the enzyme that produces cholesterol in the liver. There are a variety of popular statins out right with Lipitor, Crestor and Zocor being the most popular.

Always research and talk to your doctor before deciding on what medications to use. Statins especially have been known to cause certain side-effects in users. These medications are also quite costly if you are not covered by insurance (although there are sites for medication coupons all over the web).

Cholesterol isn't inherently "bad," but too much of it can cause a plethora of problems! Watch this video for the cholesterol basics.Watch More Health Videos at Health Guru: http://www.healthguru.com/?YT

The right diet and exercise, no matter what your health issues, is never a bad thing. It is the same with controlling your cholesterol. With eating the proper foods that can lower your bad cholesterol, a little bit if exercise and the proper medications you can bring those bad LDL numbers down and live a long heart-healthy life.