Medication
There are many medications available for the treatment of high cholesterol. Your doctor may prescribe them alone, or in combination with others, and they are classified based on their function. The most commonly used ones fall into the following categories:

Statins
Resins
Nicotinic Acid (Niacin)
Gemfibrozil
Clofibrate

Diet
Making changes to your diet can significantly improve your cholesterol and decrease your risk of heart disease. Avoiding certain foods that are high in cholesterol and saturated fat will help keep your levels in a healthy range. Foods high in saturated fat and/or cholesterol include fatty meats, full fat dairy products and egg yolks. It is important to remember that it is not only cholesterol that you want to be aware of, but saturated fat as well. Consuming a well balanced, low fat diet with a variety of foods including fruits, vegetables and whole grains will help reduce your risk of heart disease and high cholesterol.

Additionally, ADDING certain foods known as "functional foods" can positively impact lipid levels. Functional foods have been defined as "foods that provide health benefits beyond basic nutrition" (International Food Information Council). These foods have been shown to reduce your cholesterol when eaten as part of a low fat, heart healthy diet. Soluble fiber, for example, has been shown to help lower LDL or "bad" cholesterol without lowering HDL or "good" cholesterol. Dietary sources of soluble fiber include oatmeal, beans and peas, barley, and many fruits and vegetables (such as apples, oranges, and carrots).

There is ongoing research looking into the role that fish oil plays in heart disease risk. The fat in fish is known as omega-3 fatty acid and has been associated with reducing the risk of heart disease. Those with the greatest amounts include salmon, mackerel, tuna and sardines. For pregnant or nursing women, speak to your doctor about specific health concerns regarding fish.

Plant sterols are new food ingredients that are derived from plants. They are then mixed with a little bit of canola oil to form stanol esters - a product that can be used in a variety of foods. Most commonly used in spreads, plant sterols are being touted for their ability to lower LDL cholesterol in the blood. Generally sold in pats (similar to butter), they are to be used in place of other spreads for reductions in cholesterol up to 20 points. The safety and efficacy of plant sterols on blood cholesterol has been tested in over 20 studies and its benefits are allowed to appear on products as a health claim.

Exercise
Regular, moderate activity has been shown to reduce cholesterol levels, as well as help reach or maintain a healthy body weight. Your heart is a muscle, so rigorous exercise helps keep it strong, as well as your entire cardiovascular system working more efficiently.

Use this opportunity to begin to live a healthier lifestyle - your heart will thank you!

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