The commitment given to lowering cholesterol is what will determine the level of success in solving this crucial problem. Many people have a high cholesterol level because they consume too much fatty or saturated oil. By changing this aspect, the cholesterol level may be reduced by as much as 20 percent.

Lowering HDL cholesterol is without a doubt a huge benefit in bringing total cholesterol down to a safe level. The most important benefits of lowering cholesterol level include: reduces the formation of new cholesterol plaques, eliminates plaques, prevents the rupture of these plaques and decreases the chance of heart attack and stroke.

By changing a bad life style to a healthy diet consisting of the right foods people can improve their health and also reduce weight. Foods that are higher in fiber or starch are the best choice in diets to overcome weight and cholesterol problems.

Some recent studies prove that some foods can assist in the reduction of cholesterol and could be used in diet programs. Cholesterol Lowering Margarine has been recently introduced to the market. This margarine does not affect your HDL, or your good cholesterol and the sterols trick your body into thinking they are cholesterol based and it is not able to absorb them, therefore blocking cholesterol.

Also helping to lower cholesterol are nuts such as almonds and walnuts that have high amounts of monounsaturated or polyunsaturated. A team of researchers from Loma Linda University found that the Mediterranean style diet lowered cholesterol by using walnuts. Oats and barley have played an important role in lowering cholesterol because it has a soluble fiber known as Beta Glucan which is the key for lowering the cholesterol.

High in soluble fiber and pectin are fruits and vegetables such as apples, citrus fruit, berries, carrots, apricots, cabbage, and sweet potatoes and it helps in lowering cholesterol.

Olive oil is a mono-saturated fat and studies show that it lowers blood cholesterol. Extra virgin olive oil is better than other varieties.

Soy protein is considered by FDA as efficient on heart disease and also in lowering cholesterol.

New research suggests that soy-based shakes can be just as effective as behavioral therapy and even more effective than weight loss medications and it also appears to help lowering cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

Dr. James W. Anderson, of the University of Kentucky said in a statement that soy is healthy, and its benefits go beyond weight loss toward increasing overall health even though it may not have a more dramatic effect on people waistline than other nutrition plans.

Recent research has shown that liquid meal replacements are effective in both weight loss and weight maintenance.

Soy-based liquid meal replacements, licensed by NutriPharma from Norway had been compared with a milk-based liquid meal replacement in a study of weight loss during a 12-week period. This study was conducted by Dr. James W. Anderson and Dr. Lars H. Hole. Those assigned to the soy-based shakes group consumed five servings of Scan-Diet daily along with fruits and vegetables.

Those in the milk group consumed two servings of Slim-Fast each day and also fruits, vegetables, chicken breast, turkey or other lean meat, two servings each.

The volunteer study participants were asked to note their tolerance during the meal-replacements, their physical activity and also food intake.

Data about Anderson and Holes study were reported in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition. In the third months of study both groups achieved weight loss to about 8.5 percent of initial body weight consuming 3.7 shakes daily which is 74 percent of the recommended amount for the soy group and tow shakes daily for the milk-based group.

This study shows that the weight loss was two times greater than the weight loss reported among individuals who use medications. Also the soy group registered a considerable lower cholesterol level and a reduction in their blood level of triglycerides while there was no change among those in the milk group.

Dr Andersons conclusion was that soy protein is very effective at lowering cholesterol but the milk-based shakes are almost as effective for weight loss and also better tolerated by many people.