Lifestyle factors such as smoking, obesity, improper diet, stress and lack of exercise contribute to your risk of developing high cholesterol and heart disease.  It is encouraging to note that adopting a healthier lifestyle and using natural therapies can maintain a healthy vascular system.

Cholesterol is not all bad; it is the amount and the ratio of the various forms of cholesterol that are a health concern.  LDL (low density lipoprotein) cholesterol is fat that is being transported from the liver for use by your cells.  It is commonly called bad cholesterol.  HDL (high density lipoprotein) cholesterol is called good cholesterol because it is fat that is being taken unused cholesterol from your cells back to the liver, where it is broken down.  Cholesterol levels are unhealthy if you have lots of circulating LDL, not enough HDL or a combination of the two.

Dietary cholesterol is different than the serum cholesterol mentioned above.  Although eating foods that are high in cholesterol does raise serum cholesterol levels the liver is responsible for making cholesterol when needed.  Thus a cholesterol reduction plan should include a low cholesterol diet with other treatments to help to reduce serum cholesterol.  Genetics also plays a role in high cholesterol.

Conventional treatment of high cholesterol with lipid lowering drugs decreases serum cholesterol but makes only small improvements to your chance of developing heart disease.  Plus these drugs have many side effects. 

The most troublesome is the increased risk of depression and suicide amongst medicated individuals.  The drugs also deplete vital nutrients for heart health such as coenzyme Q10.  These medications can interact with natural products.  Consult a health professional before starting any new therapy.

Dietary changes for high cholesterol include maintaining adequate fiber intake and lowering the fat and cholesterol content of your foods.    Drink lots of clear fluids and eat raw fruits, vegetables and whole grains.

Include green leafy vegetables, nuts, seeds, vegetable protein like soybeans and unrefined oils like olive, flax and sunflower in your daily diet.  Foods to avoid are any margarine, hydrogenated oils, junk foods, fried foods, processed foods, fast foods, white flour products, white sugar products, red meat, egg yolks, ice cream, salt, coffee, colas and other caffeine sources.   Eliminate alcohol, tobacco and highly spiced foods.

Use diet, exercise and supplements to maintain a healthy weight.  Stress reduction techniques such as deep breathing, yoga or biofeedback will help to maintain a healthy stress level.     

Listed below are some of the nutrients and supplements that support optimum cholesterol health.  (CLICK SUPPLEMENT NAME FOR PRODUCTS).