High cholesterol is one of the most dangerous medical problems a person can develop. If left untreated, high cholesterol can lead to heart attacks and heart disease, which are two of the top three killers in the United States. If you have high cholesterol, your doctor can probably prescribe you a medication that will help lower it. But you should also try to improve your health in other ways, such as by dieting and exercising.
Step 1
Cut high cholesterol foods out of your diet. This includes beef, processed meats, eggs, fatty dairy products like whole milk and cheese, and food deriving from organ material, such as the liver.
Step 2
Avoid hydrogenated oils like margarine and other cooking ingredients loaded with cholesterol. Cook on an oven rack instead of a pan to let grease drain. If you do eat meats, cut off excess fat before cooking. Use egg whites or substitute eggs for cooking, and use vegetable or Canola oil instead of olive oil for cooking.
Step 3
Limit yourself to lean meats, such as chicken, fish and turkey. Cut down on portion sizes and supplement your diet with high amounts of fruits and vegetables--around 10 servings a day is recommended. Cut your grain intake in half.
Step 4
Exercise three to five times a week for 20 to 30 minutes each. These workouts should feature consistent movement that elevates your heart rate.
Step 5
Take any medications given to you by a doctor as prescribed, and keep updated on the progress of your cholesterol levels. You may need to switch to a different medication or adjust your dosage if you are not seeing the results needed.
