High levels of cholesterol usually increase your risk of developing heart diseases and having heart attacks. Medications are one of the things that would effectively reduce your cholesterol but if you want to lower cholesterol through proper diet and a healthy lifestyle then you can try some of these tips:

1. Before starting on your plan of action, you need to set realistic goals and be flexible for changes that you might make. These changes need to be done one at a time.

2. Get support from your friends and loved ones. Support groups are very important during this time. They are the ones who motivate you and help you carry out your goals.

3. You need to have a diary to take note of the changes you’ve made, their effects, and other observations you’ve noticed.

4. Lose weight. Having excessive weight usually contributes to you having high cholesterol levels. It doesn’t matter if it’s just a few pounds; if it’s an extra pound then you need to lose it. Losing about 5 to 10 pounds of your excess weight can significantly reduce your cholesterol levels.

5. Eat foods that are good for your heart. Changing your diet despite years of eating unhealthy foods makes a big impact on your health and would significantly help in lowering your cholesterol levels.

Avoiding or minimizing saturated fats which are usually found in red meat and dairy products can greatly affect your cholesterol levels. Saturated fats elevate your total cholesterol and LDL or low-density lipoprotein. 10 percent is the recommended amount of saturated fat you should get daily. Lean meats, low fat dairy products, and foods which have high monounsaturated fat contents like peanut, canola oil, and olive are healthier choices for you.

Trans fats found in fried foods and commercially baked goods like crackers and cookies should be removed from your diet. Trans fats are usually found in products labeled “with partially hydrogenated oil”.

Cholesterol consumption should be limited to 300 mg per day and less than 200 mg if you suffer from a heart condition. Foods rich in cholesterol are the following: milk products, organ meats, and egg yolks.

Whole grains contain a variety of nutrients that are good for your health. Whole- wheat pasta, whole- wheat flour, whole- grain breads, and brown rice are recommended.

Increasing your intake of fruits and vegetables can be beneficial in lowering your cholesterol levels. Fruits and vegetables contain large quantities of dietary fiber that help control your cholesterol.

6. Daily exercise. Exercise is a good way of losing those extra fats and increases your HDL levels. An exercise lasting for about 30 to 60 minutes can do great wonders for your body.

7. Stop smoking. Smoking is one of the main factors for increased levels of cholesterol. Studies have shown that after 20 minutes of not smoking, your blood pressure would decrease. In a span of 24 hours, you will have a lower risk of developing heart attacks.

8. Drinking alcohol moderately. One glass of alcohol a day has shown that it helps in your blood circulation but more than one may lead to complications. Moderate consumption of alcohol helps in increasing your HDL levels.