If you’ve recently been to the doctor and been told you have high cholesterol, chances are your physician is referring to levels of LDL.

While ideal cholesterol levels are made up of the right combination of HDL, LDL and Triglycerides, elevated levels of LDL are particularly serious and can be a precursor to life-threatening disease. This is because excessive LDL builds up with other substances along the arterial wall, leading to clogging of the arteries that can lead to heart attack. High levels of LDL can also cause stroke and blood clots that can be fatal if they travel to the lungs or heart.

If this sounds grim, don’t despair!

The good news is that there are quite a few simple things you can do to change your cholesterol “score”. And the easiest way of all to lower your levels of LDL is with good nutrition.

What to Eat to Lower Your Levels of LDL

What you eat can have a profound effect on your overall cholesterol level. By making the right food choices, you stand a good chance of lowering your levels of LDL, and even raising your levels of “good” cholesterol, HDL.

There’s a lot of information detailing the effects of various foods on LDL levels - and more being discovered every day. For starters, remember that eating a low-fat, low cholesterol diet is the nutritional key to decreasing levels of LDL through healthy eating.

There are some basic guidelines that will allow you to separate the good advice from the just-plain-confusing.

For starters, avoid high fat foods, especially those high in animal fats. This includes fatty red meats, butter, lard, bacon, and whole-fat dairy products.

Animal fat is the enemy for anyone trying to lower their levels of LDL and should be replaced with vegetable oils whenever possible. It’s relatively easy to replace butter and lard with olive or canola oil. You probably won’t even notice it – but your cholesterol level will!

The upside to healthy eating is that there are plenty of foods you can enjoy that will help lower your LDL level. Fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grain cereals, pasta and rice are all foods you can eat guilt-free when trying to lower your levels of LDL.

Losing Weight to Lower Your Level of LDL

Carrying around too much extra weight can have an adverse affect on LDL levels. One of the simplest things you can do to start lowering your levels of LDL is to maintain a healthy weight. Dropping even a few pounds can have a significant effect on your cholesterol, and with all your new eating habits, it probably won’t even be that difficult!

A Possible Alternative to Medication

While losing weight and eating healthy may not be high on your list of “Fun Things to Do”, it can be one of the fastest and easiest ways to lower your levels of LDL. Doing so may head off an escalation in your cholesterol levels and may help you avoid medication.

And besides, you might find your new, healthier lifestyle nets benefits well beyond your cholesterol level!