The good news we now know is that cholesterol is largely controllable. We can bring menacing levels down through dietary reforms, exercise and other modifications in life style.
A diet high in soluble fiber and low in total fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol can help to lower cholesterol levels. The best diet related way to reduce the amount of cholesterol in your blood is to lower your intake of all kinds of fats, particularly saturated fats. A lot of saturated fat in the diet encourages the liver to pour out large amounts of cholesterol. Follow these guidelines for a healthy diet selection:
1. Poultry: Remove the skin, then either bake, broil, or roast. Forget about frying.
2. Fish: Tuna, salmon, mackerel are good choices as they provide the “good” fats. When cooking fish, again bake, broil, or even poaching will prevent adding unnecessary fat levels.
3. Beef: Selecting the leanest cuts and limiting their portions will help. Any organ meats are unfortunately high in cholesterol levels and should be avoided, or their consumption drastically reduced. Again, baking, broiling, roasting is a better method than frying.

4. Dairy: Nondairy creamers are high in saturated fats. Cheeses are high in unsaturated fats. Cream cheese is high in saturated fats. Selection is quite limited in this group unless choosing nonfat products. By choosing to drink skim milk or 1% milk will help keep cholesterol and saturated fat levels lower.
5. Eggs: Consume the whites, but throw out the yolk. Or buy egg substitutes. If using the whole eggs keep in mind that yolk contains at least 213 mg of cholesterol. Some creative cooking can produce a fairly appetizing omelet if just using the whites of an egg, eliminating the yolk.
6. Fruits and Vegetables: No restraints on these as long as they aren’t prepared in any dressing or sauce that will only add unnecessary fats and cholesterol.
7. Breads and Cereals: As long as these are made without the use of “bad” fats and oils. Bagels are a good choice. But staying away from such things as Danishes, muffins (unless low fat), croissants is also a good choice.
8. Pasta, Beans, Rice, etc: Excellent choice and these should be incorporated into the diet as they will certainly a good source of the necessary dietary fiber, which in turns will help to reduce overall cholesterol levels.
9. Snacks: Popcorn, air popped. Read labels to ensure whatever that the saturated fat and cholesterol levels are low. Many of the microwave popcorn contain an unhealthy amount of fat, so be careful when selecting these products.
Exercise is an important undertaking when trying to reduce blood cholesterol levels. HDL levels can be improved through a form of regular exercise, either aerobic or weight training. Walking or jogging three times a week will help a person lose weight and body fat, which in turn can only help to also lower cholesterol levels.
But if by doing all of the above, cholesterol levels still remain uncomfortably higher than desired, then in addition to all of that, a cholesterol-reducing medication may be required. (In some instances a thyroid condition, known as hypothyroidism has been known to elevate cholesterol levels despite concerted efforts to reduce these levels with diet and exercise.)
In conclusion, by making oneself aware of eating habits, choosing those foods that are low in “bad” fats, avoiding those foods that are known to be high in cholesterol, and exercising regularly will help reduce and keep cholesterol down to safe and healthy levels.