High cholesterol is a very dangerous enemy especially if it is left untreated. The biggest thing you need to remember is that LDL or bad cholesterol needs to be reduced or eliminated and you need to increase your HDL or good cholesterol. Now so you understand the difference bad cholesterol or LDL can slowly build up over time and clog the arteries (atherosclerosis) causing a heart attack or a stroke. HDL (good cholesterol) will carry cholesterol to the liver for processing which will protect you from any negative problems.

You do need to realize that making major lifestyle changes will definitely do wonders in helping lower your high cholesterol levels. You should try to lose any excess weight you are carrying, eat healthier, and work towards doing more physical activity. So let's look at some things we can do to help lower our cholesterol.

Begin by choosing the healthier fats and stay away from those horrible trans fats and saturated fats. Use monounsaturated fats for cooking such as olive oil, canola oil, and nut oils.

Try to put a limit on your dietary cholesterol. Shoot for around 300 mg daily and if you're a sufferer of heart disease keep it around 200 mg daily.

Choose whole grain foods over others. You can use whole grains such as: brown rice, whole wheat flour/pasta, and oatmeal or oat bran. Many nutrients found in these whole grains offer greater heart health.

Smoking is a killer. If you don't smoke don't start and if you do try to quit. When you quit you increase your HDL levels. The other thing is try to avoid being around smoke or others who smoke because secondhand smoke can be just as dangerous if not more so.

Start eating healthier and fresher fish. This would include tuna, cod, and halibut. You can also eat salmon, and mackerel which are high in omega 3 fatty acids and those help promote a healthy heart and low cholesterol.

If you do plan to drink do it in moderation. Some studies have shown that moderate alcohol use is associated with increased levels of HDL.

No matter what you plan on dong be sure you have a doctor monitor your high cholesterol. This is how you will know how well you are doing and if you will need to do more work or just keep up with the lifestyle you are living. Just have patience and it will all work out well for you.