High Cholesterol

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High Cholesterol

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Take control of your cholesterol to lower your heart disease risk. According to research or other evidence, the following self-care steps may be helpful.
  • Reduce risk with fiber

    Add whole grains, legumes, fruits, and vegetables to your meals to reduce heart disease risk

  • Add soy protein to your diet

    30 grams (about 1 ounce) a day of powdered soy protein added to food or drinks can help lower cholesterol

  • Check out natural vegetable fats (plant sterols and stanols)

    Take 1.6 grams a day as a supplement or in specially fortified margarines to help reduce cholesterol

  • Get some supplemental garlic

    600 to 900 mg a day of a standardized garlic extract may help lower cholesterol and prevent hardening of the arteries

  • Raise “good” cholesterol with exercise

    Start a regular exercise program to help raise HDL ("good") cholesterol

  • Cut the bad fats

    Foods that contain saturated fat, hydrogenated fat, and cholesterol (such as animal products, fried foods, and baked snacks) can raise cholesterol.

These recommendations are not comprehensive and are not intended to replace the advice of your doctor or pharmacist. Continue reading for more in-depth, fully referenced information.

  • Cut the bad fats

    Foods that contain saturated fat, hydrogenated fat, and cholesterol (such as animal products, fried foods, and baked snacks) can raise cholesterol

  • Pick a plant-based diet

    Emphasize vegetarian meals whenever possible to reap the rewards of avoiding animal fats and increasing fiber and other cholesterol-stabilizing nutrients

  • Get and stay trim

    Aim for a healthy body weight to avoid problems with blood lipids and other heart disease risk factors

  • Get moving

    Use a regular program of aerobic exercise to maintain optimal blood lipid levels and lower heart disease risk

  • Avoid the habit

    Maintain healthy HDL (“good”) cholesterol levels and low heart disease risk by avoiding cigarette smoke

  • Protect with antioxidants

    Use at least 100 mg per day vitamin C and/or up to 400 IU vitamin E to protect LDL cholesterol from damage that can increase heart disease risk

These recommendations are not comprehensive and are not intended to replace the advice of your doctor or pharmacist. Continue reading for more in-depth, fully referenced information.
Also indexed as:
  • cholesterol,
  • elevated cholesterol,
  • elevated cholesterol levels,
  • high blood cholesterol,
  • high cholesterol,
  • hypercholesterolemia
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About this treatment

About This Condition

Although it is by no means the only major risk factor, elevated serum (blood) cholesterol is clearly associated with a high risk of heart disease.

Most doctors suggest cholesterol levels should stay under 200 mg/dl. As levels fall below 200, the risk of heart disease continues to decline. Many doctors consider cholesterol levels of no more than 180 to be optimal. A low cholesterol level, however, is not a guarantee of good heart health, as some people with low levels do suffer heart attacks.

Medical laboratories now subdivide total cholesterol measurement into several components, including LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, which is directly linked to heart disease, and HDL (“good”) cholesterol, which is protective. The relative amount of HDL to LDL is more important than total cholesterol. For example, it is possible for someone with very high HDL to be at relatively low risk for heart disease even with total cholesterol above 200. Evaluation of changes in cholesterol requires consultation with a healthcare professional and should include measurement of total serum cholesterol, as well as HDL and LDL cholesterol.

The following discussion is limited to information about lowering serum cholesterol levels or increasing HDL cholesterol using natural approaches. Because high cholesterol is linked to atherosclerosis and heart disease, people concerned about heart disease should also learn more about atherosclerosis.

Symptoms

This condition does not produce symptoms. Therefore, it is prudent to visit a health professional on a regular basis to have cholesterol levels measured.

Last Review: 05-11-2011

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Copyright © 2011 Aisle7. All rights reserved. www.Aisle7.net

Learn more about Aisle7, the company.

The information presented in Aisle7 is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. Self-treatment is not recommended for life-threatening conditions that require medical treatment under a doctor's care. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires June 2011.

© 1995-2011 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.

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