As you may already know, high blood cholesterol levels can contribute to the plaque building up in the arteries and therefore impeding the blood flow to the brain, heart and other extremities. High cholesterol levels can be attributed to heart disease because cholesterol causes deposits on the arteries, which then deprive the heart of the oxygen it needs. Although it is important to remember that cholesterol is necessary for part of the cell structure and is also needed for proper brain and nerve function.

Cholesterol is manufactured in the liver and then transported through the bloodstream to the sites where it is needed. This is a fatty substance and because our blood is mainly made up of water it can latch on to the molecules and travel through the body successfully. Low-Density Lipoproteins are the major transporters of cholesterol and because LDLs encourage the growth of calcium deposits on the arteries these are considered bad cholesterol. High-Density Lipoproteins on the other hand are considered to be the good cholesterol because they carry unnecessary cholesterol away from the heart and back to the liver to be expelled from the body.

As you already know your cholesterol levels are greatly influenced by your diet and many times all it takes is a complete change of lifestyle to correct your high cholesterol levels. Consuming foods that are high in cholesterol of course will increase your cholesterol levels and consuming a nutritional and even vegetarian diet and can help lower your levels. There are many natural and simple things you can do in your life to help keep your levels low and your heart functioning healthily.

• Apple Pectin helps lower cholesterol levels by binding fats and heavy metals when used as directed.
  
  
• Fiber is a great source of nutrients that can help lower your cholesterol levels and can be taken as a supplement or through high in fiber foods such as oatmeal, fruits and vegetables.
  
  
• Garlic acts as a natural antibiotic and has the ability to lower not only your cholesterol but your blood pressure as well. When taken 3 times a day, 2 capsules at a time the results can be astonishing. I personally use and recommend the brand Kyolic (Formula I04) by Wakunaga of America, which contains lecithin and aged garlic extract to help maintain healthy cholesterol levels.
  
  
• Chinese Red Yeast Rice Extract contains cholesterol-lowering constituents and has been shown to be just as effective as drugs that lower cholesterol.
  
  
• You can take a Vitamin C supplement in dosages of 3,000-8,000 mg divided throughout the day, which aids in lowering cholesterol levels.
  
  
• Essential Fatty Acids will help reduce LDL cholesterol and thin your blood.
  
  
• There are several herbs that can help lower your cholesterol levels that include hawthorn, cayenne and goldenseal.
  
  
• Consume fresh carrot juice as this helps lower cholesterol by flushing out fat from the bile in the liver.
  
  
• Always focus on your diet and avoid the fried and fatty foods that can only increase your cholesterol levels.

High cholesterol is a term that we here sometimes on a daily basis, so much that many times we do not even consider our own levels. Your cholesterol is something that you should monitor and the older you get the more important this becomes. Take care of your body and your heart and remember that a healthy cholesterol level makes a big difference.