• Tips for Raising HDL and Lowering LDL

  Research indicates that high cholesterol levels are associated with certain medical conditions such as heart disease, stroke and the risk of dementia.MedlinePlus: Cholesterol WebMD: Cholesterol Health Center Medheadlines: Good Cholesterol Staves Off Memory Loss, Dementia (July 1, 2008)It is important to understand which cholesterol number should be raised and which should be lowered and what actions to take to improve one number without negative impact on the other. Continue reading for tips on cholesterol management and links to other articles with relevant information.

• 1. Good cholesterol: HDLAmerican Heart Association: Your HDL (Good) Cholesterol Level
  2. Bad cholesterol: LDLAmerican Heart Association: Your LDL (Bad) Cholesterol Level
  3. Total should be under 200American Heart Association: Your Total Blood (or Serum) Cholesterol Level
  4. Optimal HDL: Over 60National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute: What Affects Cholesterol Levels?
  5. Optimal LDL: Under 100National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute: What Affects Cholesterol Levels?

• Disclaimer

  The content in this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice. If you plan to start a cholesterol management program, please consult your doctor.

• Cholesterol Diet

  Weight loss, as well as reducing saturated fat and cholesterol from food, can help to lower LDL and raise HDL levels.National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute: What Affects Cholesterol Levels?

  Some foods are known to help lower LDL cholesterol numbers. Try adding these to your diet to help reduce LDL:

  • Walnuts
  • Oat Bran
  • Fatty Fish
  • Foods with Plant Sterol
  • Oatmeal

  Other foods and drinks can help raise the HDL level. These include:

  • Red Wine (no more than 2 glasses per day)
  • Dark Chocolate (Small amount, 70%)
  • Green Tea (brewed, not instant)

• Exercise

  Duke University researchers found in 2002 that exercise could affect cholesterol levels, even without changes in diet.eMedicine: Research on Exercise Regularly exercising 30 minutes or more a day can help raise HDL and lower LDL.National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute: What Affects Cholesterol Levels?

• Medication

  When diet and exercise fail to effectively adjust the levels of LDL and HDL, medication can be used to help manage cholesterol levels. Commonly prescribed medications include statins, bile-acid-binding resins and cholesterol absorption inhibitors.MayoClinic.com: Treatments and Drugs

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