The National Cholesterol Eduation Program* guidelines for cholesterol lowering emphasize preventing heart disease in the short- and long-term, and recommend "therapeutic lifestyle changes (TLC)" to lower LDL. These involve:

• Reducing saturated fat and cholesterol intake
• Increasing intake of soluble fiber
• Reducing weight if you are overweight - especially if you have metabolic syndrome

These healthy diet changes along with increasing physical activity, controlling high blood pressure, and quitting smoking help to decrease your risk for heart and vascular disease.

Learn more about strategies to lower cholesterol.

• TLC guidelines
• Omega 3 fats
• How food affect triglycerides
• Sterols and stanols
• Fitting fiber in your diet

*National Heart, Lung, Blood Institute, National Cholesterol Education Program, The National Cholesterol Education Program’s Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults, or ATP III