Carrying high levels of LDL cholesterol in your blood increases your chance of heart attack and stroke. That’s why you want to try keep your cholesterol levels healthy.
If you’ve been diagnosed with high cholesterol, your doctor may prescribe statins, a medicine used to lower LDL cholesterol. Your doctor may also suggest changes to your diet and exercise routine. Dietary changes could include foods particularly good for lowering cholesterol.
There are two main kinds of cholesterol:
low-density lipoprotein (LDL), also called “bad” cholesterolhigh-density lipoprotein (HDL), also called “good” cholesterolYou want to he low levels of LDL and higher levels of HDL. The recommended cholesterol levels are:
Total cholesterol: less than 200 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL)LDL cholesterol: less than 100 mg/dLHDL cholesterol: 60 mg/dL or higherThese guidelines are even stricter if you he had a heart attack or stroke. After such an event, your LDL should be kept at less than 55 for the LDL.
You could be at risk for high LDL cholesterol if you’re overweight or don’t get enough exercise. You can also inherit a tendency for high cholesterol.
Your liver makes cholesterol. You can also get it from certain foods that contain it — but not as much as from foods that contain saturated and trans fats. These types of fat cause your liver to produce extra cholesterol.
But there are foods — and supplements derived from foods — that can lower your cholesterol, too.
Talk to a doctor about any supplement you’re considering, especially if you’re pregnant.