What should I do to lower my cholesterol, beside taking medication?

Answer 1

Change your diet

Answer 2

The best way to lower your cholesterol (and improve your ration of good to bad cholesterol) is diet and exercise. A proper, lowfat, low cholesterol diet will lower your cholesterol. Exercise will improve your overall cholesterol count as well as your ration of LDL:HDL

There's also a supplement made by Nature Made called Cholest Off. You take it 15 to 30 min before two meal each day (preferrably the two highest in fat/cholesterol content.) This supplement contains plant sterols/stanols that help to inhibit your body's absorption of cholesterol.

You can also get Nature Made Garlic supplements which will also help you to maintain normal blood cholesterol levels.

For diet, eat smaller servings of only lean meats and fish (fatty fish like tuna and salmon are best as they contain Omega 3 fish oils and other substances that naturally lower cholesterol.) Eat all the fruits and vegetables you can tolerate, concentrating on those that have the most fiber (like carrots, apples, pears, sweet potatoes) Eat brown rice instead of white. Eat carbs sparingly, but when you do, choose whole grains (whole wheat bread, oatmeal, whole wheat tortillas, etc) Limit cheeses and when you use them, use lowfat versions. Move to skim milk instead of regular or lowfat.

Exercise, exercise, exercise! If you're really out of shape, start by just walking. The more you build up your stamina, the longer and faster you'll be able to walk. Ride a bike. Take the steps instead of the elevator. Park at the far end of the parking lot. Every extra little walk you do will make a difference when it's all added up together.

If all of these measures do not lower your cholesterol and high cholesterol or heart disease runs in your family, by all means... take the prescription medications. It could save your life at some point. But... I'd try all the lifestyle changes first. No side effects :)

(By the way... someone suggested Niacin supplements. Make sure you get slow-release, "no-flush" niacin. Vitamin Shoppe has a great version available both in store and online that's actually prescribed by many doctors.)

Answer 3

Your high cholesterol may be genetic. If you do not want to take pills, try eating oatmeal every morning. Yes, I know it is bland and it doesn't taste that great, but it says it is a great way to naturally lower cholesterol. It has worked for my husband, too. He used to have high cholesterol, but it is slowly coming back to within normal limits. You may want to also get more exercise and watch the amount of fat you consume in your diet. Eating fish is another way to lower it, but if you don't like the taste of fish, try taking fish oil pills. I recommend freezing them first to avoid the fish after-taste. If these things don't work, you may have to take a prescription medication. Good luck to you! I hope this helps!

Answer 4

I tried lowering my cholesterol by diet and exercise like I had
read in Prevention and other material but it didn't work. My
primary care physician told me that some people need the
meds (like I did) besides proper diet and exercise. He also
told me to not take this lightly; that high cholesterol is just as
significant as high blood pressure. Take care!

Answer 5

Even if your doctor has prescribed medication for you, you must follow a diet that is low in fatty foods. You do not have to starve, just eat healthier. Give up the french fries and most fried foods, go easy on butter, use low fat margarine on food instead and cook Worth olive oil to saute food rather than fry it. Fast food is your worst enemy. If you must eat out frequently and on the run, grab the wrap instead of a burger or get grilled chicken, or salad. Once you start this, you may find how bored you were with the fast food anyway. I bring leftovers from home to work, but I am luck to have a microwave there. If not, bring cold foods and keep them in a little soft cooler. They make a lot of cute ones now that are cheap, but will keep food safely.

Answer 6

There are a LOT of things you can do.
Maintain a lower fat diet. Do not try for zero fat as your body will try to make it.

Niacin - it is a vitamin will help lower cholesterol. - proven

Oatmeal is a quick easy cure for cholesterol. - proven

Some people say garlic and onions.

Quit eating REFINED carbohydrates

Ok that is a few of many and hope it helps

Answer 7

Exercise.

Also, I have heard of and tried an herbal solution that sometimes helps. It's been a few years since I last used it, but I believe it was "red rice yeast extract." It came in capsule form and was available through most vitamin/nutrition stores.

Answer 8

start by changing your eating habits. You have probably been eating the wrong food for so long that you don't see what it's doing to you. chicken or fish, vegetables, fruits is a good start.

Answer 9

Fish Oil and exercises.

Answer 10

2 capfuls of cider vinegar twice daily