Statins are a type of cholesterol-lowering drugs that inhibit the substance your body needs to produce cholesterol. While effective, you will most likely need to stay on this medication even after your cholesterol level returns to a healthy range, explains MayoClinic.com. Statins also have side effects, most of which are mild and typically subside once your body adjusts to the drug. There is a small risk of serious side effects occurring, and because of these, you may choose to lower your LDL -- or "bad" -- cholesterol the natural way, by making lifestyle changes.
Step 1
Talk to your doctor. While you might feel the natural way is the best way, it may not be the most effective means of lowering your LDL cholesterol, especially if you have a number of risk factors for cardiovascular disease. These include being overweight, smoking, leading a sedentary lifestyle, having diabetes and a family history of high cholesterol or cardiovascular disease. The decision to lower your cholesterol naturally should be a decision you make with the help of your doctor.
Step 2
Eat more soy. Increasing your intake of soy may help reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease, notes the Cleveland Clinic. Eating 31 to 47 g of soy protein instead of meat protein every day might decrease your levels of LDL by as much as 10 percent, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. It is low in cholesterol and saturated fat, and to receive heart-healthy benefits, you need to consume a minimum of 25 g each day. This can be done by eating 4 oz. of firm tofu, a soy burger and an 8-oz. glass of soy milk.
Step 3
Consume more fiber. Fiber helps decrease your cholesterol by reducing the amount your bloodstream absorbs, MayoClinic explains. The best fiber to consume is soluble fiber such as oatmeal. This is most effective, and sources of this include fruit, beans, barley and flaxseed. The Cleveland Clinic adds that for every 1 to 2 g of soluble fiber you eat, you may lower your LDL by 1 percent.
Step 4
Eat less daily cholesterol. To lower your cholesterol, you need to lower your daily cholesterol intake. If high cholesterol is the only health problem you have, 300 mg a day is a safe amount. But if heart disease is already an issue for you, you should not consume any more than 200 mg.
Step 5
Eat more foods with plant sterols and stanols. These natural substances are fortified in certain foods like orange juice and margarine. When you consume them daily, they block the absorption of cholesterol and can reduce your levels of LDL by more than 10 percent. To reap the benefits, it is necessary to eat a minimum of 2 g every day.
