Your doctor says that you have high cholesterol and he wants to add a cholesterol lowering medication to your growing list of prescription medications. High cholesterol can contribute to heart attacks or strokes and should never be taken lightly. But is prescription medication the only way to reduce your cholesterol levels? Not really, there are other ways you can lower your levels naturally. Read on to discover some of these ways.

First and foremost, make the necessary lifestyle changes to lower your cholesterol. Cut out the high fat foods and start exercising. Eat more fruits and vegetables. It has been proven that soluble fibers are effective at reducing cholesterol levels. These fibers can be found in oats, barley and rye. They are also found in peas, beans, apples, prunes and berries. Do some more research on cholesterol lowering foods to find the best ones for you.

A vitamin called niacin has been proven to lower cholesterol, but must only be taken under the supervision of your health care practitioner. There are a few side effects when taking niacin which include diarrhea, gout, worsening peptic ulcer disease, liver inflammation and increased blood sugar. Niacin can also increase the effectiveness of your prescription blood pressure medication which could result in your blood pressure dropping too low. But when taken the right way, niacin can go a long way in lowering your cholesterol levels.

Garlic is another great natural supplement that may lower your cholesterol levels. It has also been proven to prevent blood clots and to reduce the amount of plaque buildup in the arteries. This plaque can be very dangerous as it builds up and narrows the arteries and other blood vessels. It a blood vessel becomes completely blocked, a heart attack can result causing irreversible heart damage. So it is best to do everything you can to keep your cholesterol levels under control.

Artichoke leaf extract has been getting some buzz lately for its cholesterol lowering properties. While more studies need to be performed, there have been some promising results from the few studies that have been done. It is thought that artichoke leaf extracts work by limiting the synthesis of cholesterol in the body, therefore lowering your levels. It also contains a compound that increased bile production and helps to excrete bad cholesterol from the body.

So if you are concerned about your cholesterol levels, try some of these natural ways to lower your cholesterol. Most importantly, make the needed lifestyle changes. All the supplements and medications in the world will not help your cholesterol levels if you don't change your destructive lifestyle.