Cholesterol is a fat-like substance that is similar in texture to wax. Your body naturally produces cholesterol and it is contained in animal food sources such as meat and dairy products. Although your body needs a certain amount of cholesterol to function properly, excessive amounts can make you more vulnerable to heart disease. High cholesterol, known as hypercholesterolemia is often preventable and highly treatable, reports MayoClinic.com. Healthy eating and lifestyle habits are among the methods of lowering cholesterol.
Herbal Supplements
Garlic is commonly used a dietary supplement to help manage high cholesterol, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.
Other herbal remedies that may help lower low-density lipoprotein, or LDL, the so-called "bad" cholesterol, include green tea extract, artichoke extract and barely, reports MayoClinic.com.
Always check with your doctor before taking herbal supplements to treat medical conditions, as they are unregulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Statins
Prescription statins, such as atorvastatin, sold under the brand name Lipitor, and pravastatin, sold commercially as Pravachol, are often prescribed to help lower cholesterol, notesMayoClinic.com. Statins work by inhibiting a substance used by your liver to produce cholesterol. Your liver responds by removing cholesterol from your blood.
Statins may also help your body soak up accumulated cholesterol deposits from the artery walls, aiding in the reversing the effects of coronary artery disease.
Sterols and Plant Stanols
Foods that have been fortified with plant substances called sterols or stanols may help obstruct the absorption of cholesterol. For example yogurt drinks, orange juice and margarines fortified with plant sterols may help lower bad cholesterol by at least 10 percent, reports MayoClinic.com.
Limit Fat Intake
Eating fewer foods that contain unhealthy fats can help lower your cholesterol. Trans fats contained in prepackaged baked goods, like pastries and cookies, increase "bad" cholesterol while saturated fats found whole dairy and meat products can lower your high-density lipoprotein, or HDL, known as the "good" cholesterol, reports MayoClinic.com.
Snack on Nuts
Almonds, hazelnuts, pecans, walnuts and other nuts contain polyunsaturated fatty acids which can help lower cholesterol. The FDA says eating a handful of nuts every day may lower your risk of heart disease.
Exercise
Getting regular exercise can help lower "bad" cholesterol and raise "good" cholesterol, according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. Aim for 30 to 45 minutes of aerobic activity most days of the week. Good exercise choices include playing tennis, swimming, brisk walk, jogging and bicycling.
Talk to your health care provider before embarking on a new exercise program.
