How Can I Lower My Cholesterol Levels?

How Can I Lower My Cholesterol Levels? (0:54)

Lowering cholesterol levels is key to maintaining heart health; eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly are the first steps, then medication, if needed. Watch cardiologist Suzanne Steinbaum, DO, discuss the best ways to lower your cholesterol.

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Lowering cholesterol levels is part of how we take care of our hearts, especially if you've had heart disease in the past. It's very simple, we start with diet and exercise, and eating a diet that's rich in fruit and vegetables, nuts, legumes, and high in Omega-3 fatty acids can reduce the LDL or the bad cholesterol in your system, also exercise makes the difference.

It decreases the LDL and increases the HDL, and stay away from those carbohydrates, starchy foods and sugars, because those foods increase the triglycerides. So watching your diet and exercise are the first steps in decreasing the cholesterol. Next step, it might be medication, but that's something you need to talk to your doctor about.