The American Heart Association recommends consuming monounsaturated fats in moderation to reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. To improve cholesterol levels, a few lifestyle changes include reducing saturated and trans fats, increasing polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats, fortifying foods with plant stanols or sterols, isocalorically adding tree nuts, consuming one or two alcoholic drinks per day, and adopting a Portfolio, Mediterranean, low-carbohydrate, or low-fat diet.
Eating less of certain foods and more of others can help improve a person’s levels of LDL cholesterol and other lipids, such as high-density lipoprotein (HDL), or “good” cholesterol. High levels of HDL help decrease the risk of heart disease. For males, the recommended levels of HDL are over 40 mg/dL and for females, over 50 mg/dL.
To lower LDL cholesterol, it is essential to eat heart-healthy foods, exercise regularly, quit smoking, lose weight, and drink alcohol only in moderation. Exercise can raise HDL cholesterol levels and reduce levels of LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. Limiting saturated fats in your diet, along with regular exercise and engaging in other healthy practices, may help lower the amount of low-density LDL.
To boost HDL levels, aim for a healthy weight, get moving, and clean up your diet. Lifestyle changes such as eating a healthy diet low in saturated and trans fats, maintaining a healthy weight, getting regular exercise, quitting smoking, and boosting HDL levels are crucial for maintaining good health.
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What is the lifestyle intervention for high cholesterol?
Regular physical activity and reducing sedentary behavior can help manage weight, lower LDL cholesterol, raise HDL cholesterol, lower triglycerides, improve heart and lung fitness, and lower high blood pressure. The TLC Diet emphasizes eating well for heart health and learning how to prepare and cook heart-healthy foods. Eating heart-healthy meals doesn’t mean giving up on taste; it recommends limiting serving sizes and replacing high-fat, cholesterol-heavy foods with healthier options like fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, whole grains, dairy products, fish, poultry without skin, and moderate amounts of lean meats. Limiting sodium intake to 2, 300 milligrams daily and using salt-free spices and herbs can enhance the taste of heart-healthy meals.
How do you treat low density lipoprotein high?
VLDL cholesterol levels in excess of 30 milligrams per deciliter (0. 77 millimole/liter) are considered to be elevated. To reduce VLDL cholesterol, it is necessary to reduce triglycerides, lose weight, engage in regular exercise, and avoid sugary foods and alcohol. It is of the utmost importance to engage in regular weight loss and exercise regimens.
Which lifestyle changes can improve LDL and HDL levels?
To reduce elevated LDL cholesterol levels, individuals should implement lifestyle modifications, including reducing total and saturated fat intake, achieving a healthy weight for their height if overweight or obese, engaging in regular aerobic exercise, and consuming a diet rich in fruits and vegetables.
Which of the following lifestyle modifications would help decrease LDL and increase HDL?
Regular exercise stimulates muscles, allowing the body to break down triglycerides for energy and raises HDL levels. If you have mild to moderately high lipid levels, your doctor may recommend lifestyle modifications before medication. Sometimes, lifestyle changes alone can improve cholesterol and triglyceride levels, while other times, lifestyle modifications may be combined with medical therapy. NYU Langone specialists recommend these strategies to improve lipid levels.
What lifestyle changes can a person take to improve his or her blood lipid profile?
Reduced carbohydrate intake, especially white flour-based ones like pasta and rice, can lower triglyceride and LDL cholesterol levels. Avoid sugary drinks and follow a Mediterranean diet with fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats. Physical activity stimulates muscles, breaking down triglycerides for energy and raising HDL levels. Regular exercise helps lose weight and reduces cardiovascular disease risk. Your doctor can help identify ways to incorporate more exercise into your daily routine, such as walking errands, taking stairs instead of elevators, joining a gym, or taking yoga classes.
How do you fix low density lipoprotein?
The Mediterranean Diet, which includes heart-healthy foods, can lower the risk of cardiovascular disease. To maintain a healthy weight, it is essential to avoid tobacco use, engage in regular exercise, and maintain a healthy weight. LDL, or low-density lipoprotein, is a type of lipoprotein in the blood that carries fats through the bloodstream. Too much LDL can increase the risk of stroke or heart disease, and it is often referred to as “the bad cholesterol”. It is crucial to discuss your medical regimen with your provider to ensure optimal health.
What foods help high density lipoprotein?
A review of the literature reveals that specific food items, including avocado, nuts, oatmeal, antioxidant-rich foods, olive oil, niacin-rich foods, fatty fish, and soy, have been shown to enhance high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels, which are classified as “good” cholesterol, and to reduce “bad” cholesterol. This dietary approach has been associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke.
How to raise HDL naturally?
High-density lipoprotein (HDL), also known as “good” cholesterol, can be improved through exercise, healthy fat consumption, and a keto diet. HDL helps transport cholesterol from arteries to the liver, where it can be used or excreted. It also has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, and is linked to a reduced risk of heart disease. Health experts recommend maintaining HDL levels of 40 mg/dl in men and 50 mg/dl in women.
What foods help high-density lipoprotein?
A review of the literature reveals that specific food items, including avocado, nuts, oatmeal, antioxidant-rich foods, olive oil, niacin-rich foods, fatty fish, and soy, have been shown to enhance high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels, which are classified as “good” cholesterol, and to reduce “bad” cholesterol. This dietary approach has been associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke.
How to lower LPA naturally?
To improve heart health, it is recommended to increase omega-3 fats from fish, seafood, walnuts, and ground flax seeds, while reducing omega-6 fats from ultra-processed foods and oils. Consume a variety of plant foods, including colorful fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and legumes, to increase fiber, antioxidant, and polyphenol content. Reduce saturated and trans fats from anim
al foods and fast food products. Check food labels and reduce added sugar and sodium to prevent inflammation and vascular problems.
Regular exercise, especially resistance training, is beneficial for reducing LDL cholesterol levels associated with heart disease risk. Consider activities like walking, rowing, swimming, sports, dancing, or group fitness classes, aiming for at least 30 minutes a day, starting slowly and working up to an increase.
What are the lifestyle modifications for hyperlipidemia?
The role of lipids and lipoproteins as risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) is well-established, with a decreasing trend in overall CVD mortality rate over the last two to three decades. This reduction in CVD mortality is largely driven by decreases in coronary heart disease mortality rate. Lifestyle changes remain the cornerstone of management of lipid and lipoprotein disorders and obesity, and are warranted in primary as well as secondary prevention settings.
Lifestyle changes recommended for those with high cholesterol levels include adopting a diet low in saturated and trans fatty acids, incorporating functional foods rich in bioactive substances such as fiber, antioxidants, plant sterols, and stanols, exercising regularly, and maintaining a healthy weight. Current dietary guidelines uniformly recommend reducing intakes of saturated and trans fatty acids with replacement by increasing intake of mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids. Precision medicine options such as personal preferences regarding food choices and long-term dietary strategies are needed to improve the overall lipid profile.
The relationship between diet and eating habits, blood lipids, and coronary heart disease (CHD) risk has been studied since the late 1940s. Ancel Keys, a researcher at the University of Minnesota, hypothesized that the epidemic of heart attacks among middle-aged American men was related to their lifestyle and possibly to some modifiable personal characteristics. After exploring his ideas in a group of Minnesota men, Keys went on recruiting research collaborators across the world, leading to the beginning of “The Seven Countries Study”, the first epidemiological longitudinal study to systematically investigate the relationships between lifestyle, diet, CHD, and stroke risks in multiple populations from different regions of the world.
Some of the major cardiovascular findings of The Seven Countries Study include the demonstration of a direct and independent association between serum total cholesterol (TC) concentrations and the risk and rates of heart attack and stroke both at the population and at the individual level across diverse cultures. The importance of the Mediterranean diet in CHD risk was also established, with 15-year death rates related positively to the average percentage of dietary energy from saturated fatty acids (SFA), negatively to dietary energy percentage from monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), and unrelated to dietary energy percentage from polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), proteins, carbohydrates, and alcohol in the diet.
Current dietary recommendations have been based on numerous epidemiological observational and interventional nutritional studies, and many meta-analyses and comprehensive reviews have evaluated the overall effects of dietary fats and interventions to reduce saturated fat intake on blood lipid profile and risk for CHD. These recommendations have been central to promoting public awareness on healthy eating to improve overall cardiovascular health at a population and individual level.
However, over the years, there have been shifts in recommendations with regard to what macronutrients should be used to replace energy lost from lowering of saturated fat. Early Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommended to decrease total and saturated fat intake and to increase accordingly dietary carbohydrates intake, leading to a low or lower fat diet. The current dietary recommendations are to reduce saturated fat intake and increase intakes of dietary MUFA and PUFA, resulting in a moderate fat diet. Other notable shifts include an emphasis on added sugar intake and/or a lessened concern about dietary cholesterol intake.
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I lowered my cholesterol levels with Intermittent fasting and ketogenic diet. Currently my cholesterol levels are : Total cholesterol = 136 Tryglyceride = 73 HDL = 55 LDL = 66 I followed Dr. Eric Berg’s instructions, and after 3 months of Intermittent fasting and ketogenic diet I managed my cholesterol and sugar levels.
type of test: advanced lipid profile test The two types, or particle sizes, of LDL, are: 1. The large buoyant (pattern A) Good 2. The small dense (pattern B) Bad Top foods that lower bad cholesterol (small dense LDL): 1. Extra virgin olive oil 2. Avocados 3. Fish oils or cod liver oil 4. Pistachios 5. Dark chocolate (sugar-free) 6. Almonds 7. Walnuts Other things you can do to lower cholesterol naturally: • Take vitamin B3 (niacin) • Exercise • Take TUDCA Thank you Dr Berg 🐱👍🏿
Thank you Dr. Eric Berg I cut out bad carbs from my diet years ago like bread, pasta and refined sugar. I eat all of those foods which lower cholesterol I can testify this type of diet works my cholesterol and cholesterol ratios are great. perusal your article just justifying I am doing the right thing. Beyond that you gave me info what I never heard before! Your article is simple easy to understand and very informative.
Thank you Dr Berg for the amount of time to research and study this medical space, it was good knowing about what I can do to minimise the fat or oil when you have a genetic problem with cholesterol in which I happen to be. The advance lipid profile test you recommend is noted. I have been diagnosed with a high calcium score last year and had two stents last December but prior to that, it was all asymptomatic. I have now been taking your K2 and D3 product to help direct the calcium from arteries to the bones. Since I’m an active person engaged in cycling, I have been talking your electrolyte powder and I can feel the benefits due to that good balance of the potassium and magnesium you there. Love your work Dr Berg. God bless you and best wishes from Down under 🇦🇺
My doc’s office is struggling to understand why my LDL is so high yet my triglycerides are in well within normal range. they recommend “less fat, more fiber”. I told them they should test for small dense and large buoyant LDLs and still just got a response back of, “start on a low fat, high fiber diet”. that IS my diet, has been for years lol.
For CVD, apoB is a much better blood maker than LDL-HDL. But studies, RCT, clearly show you should be concerned with high LDL, regardless of size, as a marker for increasing CVD risk. Nice to see Dr Berg recommending good foods to lower LDL unlike the carnivore doctors saying dont worry, let your LDL go super high.
Hello, I am male 38, my total cholesterol came 265 mg, triglycedes : 153mg, one day before I fasted 8-10 hours, but only slept 4 hours a day before the test and didn’t had enough sleep … As I eat junk or fried only as the sole meal on two weekend days, I am overweight but not obese, I go on long walk when I have time.
If you’re worried about LDL, you probably want to look up the articles by Doctor David Diamond, a cardiologist. It’s mostly bunk unless you have a specific genotype. If anything, you might want to look at Lipoprotein (a), HDL, and LDL-P (as Dr Berg indicated.) What most keto dieters see is their HDL rising, which is good, and triglycerides falling, which is also good. LDL can vary in either direction for people on keto. I was a couple weeks fasted when I got my panel once, and my LDL was over 200, which concerned my (non-keto-friendly) doctor. I had watch some Dave Feldman articles (Cholesterol Code guy) to find out why. I implemented the Feldman Protocol next time, and my doctor was happy. Then I told him how I crammed for his test and fired him. I now have a respected keto doctor.
I just rewatched your clip that was made 3 years ago about good and bad LDL and made some comment there. I am still surprised that 3 years had passed but this issue still remains. I myself also have some difficulty trying to find details such as the good proportion of HDL to good LDL to bad LDL to VLDL that’s related to triglycerides. The related information that should have been updated and published in several medical gazettes by now. Whatta heck?
Hi Dr Berg. I’ve been following your website for some time and you’ve really helped me improve my diet and lifestyle. One idea for a article I had was to get your opinion on cheaper foods especially with the current cost of living crisis many are facing. For example those that can’t afford to buy organic meat, what’s the best type of meat to go for? I’ve heard in UK that non organic lamb is better than chicken due to it mostly being grass fed. It would be interesting to hear your take. Thanks again.
Hi I love perusal your articles! Thanks for sharing with everyone and I hope they like them too. My question is my total cholesterol is 248, triglycerides 107, Hdl 48 but ldl 179 and no gel 200. What can I do to lower cuz my doctor is recommended I should take the Lipitor bit o do t want too please advice thanks so much
My cholestrol is high 268, after in keto 9 month (lost 9 kg i am 45 kg now with flat tummy😻), now i follow this advice: i buy B3 niacin & nuts: pistachio, walnut, almond & drink more almond milk, eat sarden with eXtra virgin olive oil, eat avocado with dark choco & beet every week, regularly eat more fermented food, eXercise 20-45 minute almost every morning with sunbath, i hope after 3 month it could lower my cholestrol!
This is very good, Dr. Berg. Many years ago I had high cholesterol and my doctor ordered an advanced lipid profile and saw that 95% was the fluffy light LDL. My cholesterol is normal now, never took statins or anything, and today in the NYT they had an article about Statins that talked about how in many people, STATINS CAUSED DIABETES. They did not go as far to say it was because of the small dense LDL. I am getting close to full carnivore here, though I do still eat a few squares of 78% dark chocolate with some almond butter almost daily. It’s not sugar free, but at least sugar is NOT the first ingredient. I know sugar is deadly. My functional medicine doc has harped on me for years: You gotta give up sugar. You gotta give up gluten. You gotta give up dairy. I still put a splash of heavy cream in my coffee, but I’m not drinking the cream to fill myself up anymore. There’s only one kind of bread that I occasionally eat, which is a focaccia that is produced locally. I have ordered some packages of Carnivore Crisps to take the place of that bread, which I like to broil under a mountain of fresh grated parmesan, for crunch and umami. Methinks the chicken skin Carnivore Crisps will fit the bill.
Can you talk more about statin inceeasing sdLDL particles? Or link to legitimate studies that talk about it? I am genetically disposed to high ldl and this article is extremely fascinating to me because of that. Could you talk about the intricacies of “bad” LDL accumulation in otherwise healthy-lifestyle individuals? Id really like to know if there are differences in what to expect if im already in near-perfect lifestyle routines and, any info about what my future entails relative to those that have high sdLDL particles AND a belaf lifestyle? I track my food, work out, have “prime” bmi (i know bmi isnt a good indicator, but its just for your reference), and doctors are just floored at my LDL levels. They are astronomically high and I really wanna learn more about my condition, but this area is filled with noise on the internet
When I hear your message that if I want to be healthy I should discontinue eating apples and organic oatmeal for breakfast and, instead, drink only coffee in the morning with no food and for lunch consume 6 eggs and 6 strips of bacon, every day, I can’t help but be reminded of the scene from the Woody Allen movie, “Sleeper”, in which the chain-smoking doctor of the future who is examining Woody Allen comments how incredible it is that physicians in the 20th Century actually believed that smoking was bad for you, when the exact opposite is true.
I was reading a research paper today that contained an equation for calculating the sdLDL from the usual HDL LDL and triglyceride values in the regular cholesterol test. The equation was derived from a lot of research and correlation. Handily the website provides an Excel spreadsheet to use. It was difficult to find the recommended levels for sdLDL but an older male like me might have a max of 45mg/dL but more typical max would be 32 I would say. Mine is 57, hence my interest! In the UK the advanced test is not regularly done. I think cost is a factor and also there is more than one method, and it’s not performed widely. I also find that doctors are not up to date with sdLDL and will only ever ask for the regular LDL and HDL test plus TG.
Thanks once again. My labs came back pretty “bad”. I am certain my doctor will want to put me on a statin drug. I do NOT want to take any. I will try to eat more of the foods mentioned and exercise. Plus, order the more indepth panel. My ALT came out high so there’s elevated liver enzymes as well. Which has me freaking out a bit. I am worried but also hopeful I can correct the course.
I have genetic heart disease…my endocrinologist has me on Repatha which I don’t want to take. He only ever talks about drug trials, Nobel prize winners and how I will die if I don’t take this drug. I never understand a thing he says to me in our visits. Thank you so much for this valuable information!! My gut says get of the drug that can cause diabetes and stick with eating foods and your other options. I am otherwise healthy, exercise and at a good weight. I’ve been struggling the last couple months with the decision to quit this drug. I’m convinced it is the best choice. Thank you! Thank you!
Thanks Dr Eric, my friend was facing issue of high BP for couple of year and despite trying many thing (no medication) we were unable to keep it under the limit. We went for a LDL check and found high LDL, from the very next day we started consuming your suggested food. Within 3 day we see a very unexpected result. Now despite not maintaining other precautions BP is still under control. This does not mean we will not take precautions.
In April 2020 I started intermittent fasting and within 3 months completely reversed my diebatics. I do intermittent fasting almost everyday ….. Last October at middle of the night I got awake and that thing became regular. I found my heart rate was increasing without any reason. Finally I checked my blood and found my cholesterol above 300 and LDL 200. I started taking medication. I have great benefit from intermittent fasting and do not want to discontinue it. I hope I may be able to stop taking Statins….
Hello, I was once told during a doctors visit that my cholesterol was too low . It wasn’t explain to me why as I never knew having low cholesterol was a bad thing, was always told or heard of high being a problem but too low 🤷🏾♂️ was told to watch what I eat and exercise more which is understanding for anyone but again it was never explained to me how or why my cholesterol will be too low . Can anyone help explain this ?
Hello, new to the website, like the way to explain everything, i alwis love to ask my doctor questions that show i know a littel bit . so after my ones a year blood test he phoned me that my ” blood fat ‘ is high and to come to hes office, insted i found you 🙂 and maybe you can answer some questions for me ( you dont have to but it’l Help ) i have no thyroid glan becuse i had Graves about 15 years ago, in the blood test they do not test T-3 and T-4 only TSH, 3-4 months ago becuse i didnt feel to good with my self i have changed my dayet stoped eating bred, and for sweets i use dates and berris, i take about 5 pistachios a day, eat more Tona and add lots more of vegis and I love avocado and yes i do eat 70% or more drack choclet .. is ther something i am doing wrong, to be hunest i feel after this phone call like i’m samond to the princebel office and i dont like that
Thanks Dr Berg. Can you help to explain if there is a connection between hypothyroidism and LDL? I take levothyroxine for years and will have to continue . I eat healthy and exercise regularly ( 49, 5’5 and 120lbs) I just can’t get my LDL down. The latest blood test it went up to 130 from 124 last June. I googled and some articles said hypothyroidism will impact LDL. Thanks . 🙏