10 Ways to Lower Cholesterol

By Amanda Gardner

More than 100 million Americans have high cholesterol (above 200 mg/dL), which can clog arteries and cause heart attacks and strokes.

The good news is that there are a variety of time-tested strategies you can use to lower your cholesterol and decrease your risk for heart problems.

Some are better than others, some are easier, and some are cheaper. Here's a rundown of what's good and what's bad about cholesterol-lowering approaches.

Comments

[Mervanwe Smith]

10:15 AM on 04/29/2012

There is such conflicting information out there on the use of statins. I am totally confused and therefore although my cholesterol is extremely high and my doctor is begging me to take some, I just totally refuse.
So advice like adding the flaxseed to the morning protein shake is something I am going to add to my daily diet. (I currently have a whey protein shake for breakfast anyway.)
So thanx for the opportunity for the comments and the responses to the comments. Sometimes I find more useful information in those.

[dcmiller]

02:58 PM on 03/05/2012

I thought this article was absolutely great! I am so glad that you gave such a simple easy to read list of foods for people to follow. Plus you had a slide show of pictures which was awesome to have along with the description. It is amazing what the right foods can do for your cholesterol. I have seen people be able to stop taking their cholesterol meds simply because they ate the right foods and lowered it naturally. Great article!

Danielle
http://madefromacai.com/acai/pulse

[jgarma]

06:34 PM on 01/21/2012

Before you delve into some protocol for reducing cholesterol, consider this list of what Dr. Reeves refers to as the 12 myths about cholesterol: http://wp.me/pA04z-Dp

[Steveh0607]

04:38 PM on 12/21/2011

Cholesterol is a vital nutrient.

What's important is to change the LDL profile from small dense (atherogenic) to large buoyant (harmless) while increasing HDL.

The best way to do that is to eat eggs everyday, significantly reduce intake of sugar and grains (complete elimination isn't necessary) and exercise a bit.

the author should have read up on the topic before posting such nonsense.

[workmansuz21]

09:07 PM on 12/20/2011

Your article makes it seem like the "Cons" for Statins are minor muscle problems and increased liver enzymes when in fact the truth is it can result in a fatal desease called Rabdomylosys or Rabdo for short. After taking Symvastatin for 10 years, I suddenly started waking up every morning with more pains than the day before until after a week. I thought it was beause I was now in my 60's and getting "older". I could no longer stand up one morning without help. I went to the ER and found out my Muscle Enzymes were up to 12,000 when the normal levels are below 100. I almost died from Statins even after years of having no problems for many years. I spent 8 days in ICU. They are not a "wonder drug" as doctor's porport. If you are taking them I suggest you ask your doctor to regularly test your muscle enzymes. This is not a routine test.

[badders]

06:58 PM on 12/20/2011

Take your pills and eat whatever you want. Worry about cholesterol and never mind that big fat gut. Grab a handful of those pills and wash them down with a diet coke. Makes sense to me!

[roudy]

03:30 PM on 12/19/2011

A total cholesterol level over 150 is unhealthy.

[amandasterling]

11:08 AM on 12/19/2011

One natural way of reducing cholesterol levels is by taking an alternative medicine called Guggul. This Ayurvedic supplement supports healthy cholesterol levels and helps remove accumulated fat by-products. I know many people who have taken this and are happy with the results. Although this is not a cure for unhealthy cholesterol, it is a good choice for someone looking to try an alternative medicine. One good website I know of is www.naturesformulary.com. This site gives more information about Ayurveda, the product and also allows you to order products directly. I hope this is helpful to someone suffering from high cholesterol and is a good natural option.

[genegem]

08:55 AM on 12/19/2011

The VERY BEST way was not even mentioned! if your cholesterol is 280 and you eat just a quarter cup of flaxseed meal per day in six months it will be around 180! And you are not taking statins which destroys your CO-Q10 which leads to congestive heart disease and eventually congestive heart failure.

[jgarma]

06:38 PM on 01/21/2012

I sprinkle three tablespoons of flax meal (flax seeds ground up) into my whey protein drink first thing each morning.

The flax provides high quality omega-3 fatty acids and fiber, and the protein repairs and builds muscle, as well has helps keep me satiated for several hours.

I've written about this in an article entitled, "Diet 101", which you can read here, if interested: http://www.garmaonhealth.com/diet/diet-101

[Mervanwe Smith]

10:21 AM on 04/29/2012

Thanx for the info on flaxseeds, I am going to start using this. How much should one add (ground that is)?

[Romaine Chritton]

04:41 AM on 12/19/2011

Really disappointed that the majority of fixes were drugs. Food choice and exercise seem to be the common sense approaches, but who knows?

[DrP]

10:09 PM on 12/18/2011

1. Why are we still talking about cholesterol?
2. Cholesterol "clogs arteries?" How does it do that?
2. Seriously, statins?
Run, don't walk, away from this article.

[MichaelJohnson2011]

08:58 PM on 12/18/2011

SAY NO TO DRUGS!

Do this instead:

With the help of my doctor, I reduced my cholesterol gradually over two years, from 270 to 190, with moderated changes to diet, exercise and attitude.

I eat 3 tablespoons of ground chia seeds every day, which contains high levels of insoluble fiber, balanced omega 3,6,9, and trace minerals. It is good with rice milk or oats. I cut down on meat to about 3 servings per week and dairy to about the same, and avoid oily foods all together. I make green smoothies: dandelion leaves, kale, banana, rice milk, water. A classic meal is red rice and quinoa, baked tofu, steamed veg, and a dark green salad with red cabbage.

I exercise hard 45 minutes/day. I took up soccer and play in an adult league 1 or 2 games per week. This motivates me to work out in between games.

I reduce stress, meditate, get more sleep and make sure I resolve negative attitudes before they make problems. We don't really know about the effects of attitude on our health, but the difference in my life is staggering.

I encourage anyone to take on high cholesterol in a way that encourages a lifetime of sustained health practices that promote happiness in ways no pill can offer. Of course, in some cases, levels can be dangerously high and should be controlled temporarily with meds, but a good doctor will agree with me for the long term solution.

[jgarma]

06:31 PM on 01/21/2012

You're one in ten.

Seriously. The stat for the number of people who will make behavioral changes that will improve health when facing chronic, debilitating diseases is one in ten.

Pat yourself on the back... you deserve it!

[inkongirl]

01:35 PM on 12/18/2011

Pills, pills, and more pills. No thanks.

[atlandrew]

12:34 PM on 12/17/2011

Your information on niacin is misleading and dangerous. Abbot discontinued a study on Niaspan when it was discovered that niacin, main ingredient of niaspan, does not significantly lower LDL and may, in fact, increase stroke potential while definitely not lowering risk of heart attack. Do your home work before publishing bad health advice.

[edterryedterry]

12:31 PM on 12/18/2011

The AIM-HIGH failed to show any danger with niacin. The study was poorly designed and many of the people had stopped taking niacin weeks and months before suffering events. There was no statistically significance difference demonstrated. Niacin has been used for over 50 years and has an excellent safety profile. The Coronary Drug Project showed that 16 years after study recipients had stopped taking niacin, their overall mortality was 11% lower.

Statins on the other hand, are promoted as safe, but their side effect profile is considerably worse than niacin.