How to Naturally Lower Your Cholesterol

With so much information out there about cholesterol, it can get confusing trying to figure out what’s what — and how to actually get a handle on yours.

One thing is clear, though: High levels of low-density lipoprotein, or LDL (sometimes known as “bad” cholesterol), can increase your risk of heart attack, stroke and other health concerns. So, it’s important you keep that LDL under control.

Preventative cardiologist Leslie Cho, MD, shares some proven ways to naturally lower cholesterol and to keep it in a healthy range so you can live your best life.

Can you lower cholesterol without medication?

“There are ways to manage high cholesterol, and the wonderful news is that heart disease is 90% preventable,” Dr. Cho says. “Even if you have a significant family history of high cholesterol, you can prevent heart disease.”

If you have coronary artery disease or carotid artery disease, your doctor may recommend that you pair healthy lifestyle habits with cholesterol-lowering medications, which can work wonders.

But nearly everyone can benefit from learning about healthy lifestyle choices that can lower cholesterol the natural way, including diet, exercise and stress management. Dr. Cho outlines the best ways to lower your cholesterol and reduce your risk of heart disease.

1. Focus on fats

First things first — diet is one of the most important risk factors for developing high cholesterol. “You can lower your cholesterol by limiting the type of foods you eat,” Dr. Cho says.

Consume mostly healthy fats

To try lowering your cholesterol naturally, start by replacing unhealthy (saturated) fats with healthy fats (monounsaturated and polyunsaturated). Healthy fats are found in foods like:

• Avocados.
• Nuts, like walnuts and almonds.
• Oily fish high in omega-3 fatty acids, like tuna, salmon and mackerel.
• Olive oil.
• Seeds, including flax seeds and chia seeds.

Limit saturated fats

It’s also important to limit your saturated fat intake. “This means becoming a food label reader,” Dr. Cho says. “There should be no more than 2 grams of fat per serving, and it should account for less than 7% of your daily calorie intake.”

Saturated fats are most often found in:

• Animal products like beef, pork, chicken skin and hot dogs.
• Cooking oils like palm oil and coconut oil.
• Full-fat dairy, like cheese and butter.

Eliminate trans fats

Trans fats are found in many pre-packaged foods, especially sweets and snacks. And beware of your favorite fried foods, which are loaded with this kind of fat.

“Trans fats have a very negative impact on the body,” Dr. Cho warns. “Not only do they worsen your cholesterol, but they also increase your markers of inflammation.” This can lead to inflamed blood vessels, a risk factor for heart attacks.

2. Go plant-based

To lower your cholesterol levels, try cutting out red meat and shellfish, which can raise your cholesterol levels.

“The best way to lower your cholesterol is to switch to a plant-based diet while still trying to maintain variety,” Dr. Cho says. Beans, legumes and spinach are just a few of the foods that can lower cholesterol while still providing lots of protein.

If you’re not ready to go fully plant-based, that’s OK. The cholesterol found in oily fish can also be part of a heart-healthy diet that lowers your cholesterol. Aim for two servings per week of salmon, tuna, sardines, mackerel or herring.

3. Get your fill of fiber

“Ideally, you should be getting 25 to 35 grams of fiber a day,” says Dr. Cho. “Fiber binds to cholesterol and eliminates it from your body.”

To increase your fiber intake, eat more whole grains, legumes like beans and lentils, vegetables and fruits. You should be getting a good mix of both soluble fibers, which are more beneficial for cholesterol, and insoluble fibers, which are better for your gut health.

Getting enough fiber also reduces your risk of diseases, prevents constipation and keeps you feeling full for longer.

4. Add flax to your diet

Flaxseed, a soluble fiber, is a source of high-quality protein and potassium. It also contains lignans, which help fight diseases like cancer and cardiovascular disease.

“Eat your flax instead of taking it in pill or oil form,” Dr. Cho advises. “Non-food versions lack fiber, lignans and protein.” Instead, aim for two to three tablespoons of ground flaxseed a day, putting it in cereal, yogurt or salad.

6. Try vitamins and supplements that can lower your cholesterol

Remember that pills should be a supplement to, not a substitute for, a good diet. If you’re trying to lower your cholesterol, ask your doctor about the following options.

• Psyllium: This bulk-forming fiber laxative, which is sold over the counter (like Metamucil™), finds cholesterol and eliminates it from your body. Two grams a day can lower your cholesterol.
• Red yeast rice: Taking 1,200 milligrams twice a day may lower your cholesterol, but it’s critical that you talk to your doctor before taking it. “You’ll need to have your liver function monitored,” Dr. Cho notes.
• Phytosterols: Phytosterol is similar to your body’s natural cholesterol and can block cholesterol from being absorbed into your body. Dr. Cho says two grams of phytosterol a day can lower your cholesterol by 10% and your LDL by 14%.

“You may hear about garlic and grapeseed and other ways to lower your cholesterol,” Dr. Cho says. “But these ingredients won’t impact your cholesterol, so save your money for something good — like sneakers so you can go exercise!”

7. Get moving

Exercise can have a dramatic effect on your cholesterol, namely by raising your “good” cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein, or HDL) and lowering your triglycerides.

The American Heart Association recommends getting at least two and a half hours of physical activity a week. And of course, exercise is also great for your mental health, can lower your blood pressure, reduce your likelihood of developing diabetes and more.

Exercise may also help you lose weight, which has an effect on cholesterol. “If you lose even a small amount of weight, your HDL will go up and your LDL will come down,” Dr. Cho says. “Losing five to 10 pounds can lower your total cholesterol by 5% to 10%.”

8. Quit smoking

There are many reasons to kick the smoking habit, and your cholesterol is just one of them. “The risk factors of smoking are additive,” Dr. Cho says, meaning that they build upon one another. “If you have high cholesterol and you smoke, you double your risk.”

Having trouble quitting? Resources are available to help you take this critical step for your overall health.

9. Address your stress

“Stress has an incredibly important role in cardiac health,” Dr. Cho says, “Stress produces a hormone that raises our blood pressure, our heart rate, and our likelihood of heart attack and stroke. It can also drive us to eat badly, sleep less and drink more.”

Do your best to get a handle on stress through meditation, yoga, journaling, therapy and other management techniques. It can go a long way toward bettering your overall health, including your cholesterol levels.

What to do if you can’t lower your cholesterol the natural way

If you’ve spent about six months trying to adopt healthier lifestyle habits but still aren’t seeing a change in those cholesterol numbers, it’s time to talk to your doctor. They can provide specialized guidance specific to your health, and they may be able to prescribe you a medication to help, as well.

“The great news is that heart disease is preventable — and even if you can’t do it with diet and exercise, there are some amazing medications out there,” Dr. Cho says. “We’re so lucky to live in an era where we have something that can treat our diseases and help us live longer.”