Cholesterol is a fatty substance that flows through the blood. It is produced naturally in the liver and it can also be obtained from food. Your total cholesterol reading is based on HDL (high density lipoprotein) which is your good level, and LDL (low density lipoprotein) which is your bad level.
Significance
According to the American Heart Association, an optimal LDL level is 100 mg/dl or less and an optimal HDL level should be 60 mg/dl or higher. Having high LDL cholesterol increases your chances of having a stroke, heart disease and suffering a heart attack.
Risks
Your HDL and LDL levels can be compromised from several factors. If you are overweight and sedentary, your LDL levels can rise and your HDL levels can fall. Maintaining a healthy weight and getting 30 to 60 minutes of daily exercise can help reverse this. Smoking should also be avoided as it can lower your HDL levels.
Fats
Diet plays a major role in your cholesterol levels. Foods that are high in saturated fats, cholesterol and trans fats should be avoided. Examples of these include processed meats, red meat, whole fat dairy, deep fried foods and packaged baked goods that have hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils in them.
Fiber
Fiber is a non-absorbable substance that comes in soluble and insoluble forms. According to the Mayo Clinic, consuming soluble fiber can help lower your LDL levels by reducing the absorption of cholesterol in the intestines. Foods that contain soluble fiber include beans, barley, pears, oatmeal, prunes and psyllium.
Treatments
Medications are often prescribed by doctors to get the LDL and HDL ratios more where they're supposed to be. Statins are a common drug that helps reabsorb cholesterol back into your body from the arteries. Examples of these include fluvastatin, rosuvastatin, simvastatin and atorvastatin. Niacin, fibrates, bile-acid-building-resins and cholesterol absorption inhibitors are also medications used to get high cholesterol back to healthy levels.
