Cholesterol is one of the types of fats produced in the blood. Also known as lipid, cholesterol is of two types – LDL which, in simple terms, is bad cholesterol and HDL which is the good cholesterol. High cholesterol is also called hyperlipidemia, which is the presence of excess LDL in the blood that affects the heart.

There are a number of high cholesterol treatments, and a few of them are subtle lifestyle changes and alternate dietary options that can help reduce the cholesterol levels.

Here are some easy tips that you can keep handy for simple high cholesterol treatment.

• A few lifestyle changes do have a positive effect on cholesterol control
  You might have heard this a lot of times, but lifestyle changes do make an enormous difference when it comes to reducing your cholesterol levels. If you are looking to bring the high cholesterol numbers down, then stick to a healthy diet plan, do not eat junk food, reduce consumption of trans fat as this minimizes the HDL or good cholesterol levels and increases LDL or bad cholesterol levels. Also, it is necessary to get a good night’s sleep Cut down on excessive weight by exercising daily. If you do not want to hit the gym, you can also take up other forms of exercises such as jogging, skipping, etc. Even meditation will help in regulating the heartbeats, controlling heart palpitations and keeping oneself calm.
• Make sure to avoid trans fats
  If you are looking to treat the high cholesterol levels then reducing the consumption of trans fats is essential. Food items such as crackers, snack cakes, doughnuts, fried fast foods, margarine, biscuits, etc. contain trans fats. One should be careful while picking these food items if he or she is pursuing active high cholesterol treatments. When you are shopping for these packaged food items, be sure to check for packages that say ‘hydrogenated oils.’ These are the ones that contain trans fats.
• Go for healthier fats
  It is a known fact that trans fats and saturated fats are unhealthy for your body as they increase the LDL cholesterol, which is the bad cholesterol. Some of the sources of saturated fats are processed meats, red meat, etc. Also, dairy products that are not fat-free also contain saturated fats. For effective high cholesterol treatment, one of the best ways is to opt for monounsaturated fats that are present in canola oils and olive oils. These are considered as healthier option and help in bringing down the high cholesterol levels. You can choose to go for healthier fats such as almonds, walnuts, avocados, to name a few. Include these food items in your diet and see the cholesterol levels coming down.
• Whole grains are the perfect bet
  Worried about the health of your heart? Switch to whole grains. There is a list of foods that are made using whole grains, and you can pick these and include them in your diet.
• A bowl full of fresh fruits can’t be missed
  Fresh fruits are always a healthy option. Eating healthy is vital when it comes to home remedies for treating any health issues. Fruits are packed with dietary fiber that assists in high cholesterol treatment. Also, opt for fresh fruit juices instead of packaged ones.
• Include fish in your diet
  Heart-healthy fish helps in lowering high cholesterol levels. Fish such as cod, tuna, salmon, lake trout, etc. are all high in omega-3 fatty acids and help to keep the cholesterol levels low.

As it is rightly said that prevention is better than cure, one can always keep a check on their diet and daily eating habits along with other lifestyle changes to reduce high cholesterol levels. Some of these effective preventions are:

It is better to have a low-salt diet for your every day. Make sure to include fresh fruits, leafy vegetables and whole grains in your diet.

• Maintaining a healthy weight can be great
• Exercise regularly and keep your body fit
• Quit smoking and limit alcohol consumption to minimum
• Eat good fats and cut down on meat

These simple alterations in your daily eating and lifestyle habits would help in high cholesterol treatment.

Consult a doctor
It is highly recommended that if the cholesterol levels do not reduce, then one should see a doctor and get effective high cholesterol treatments. You need to keep a check on the cholesterol levels and get it tested to know the progress.