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You want to keep a normal level of cholesterol during your life as high cholesterol can lead to a number of illnesses and diseases. The most common condition is known as atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries. Cholesterol or LDL cholesterol sticks to the inner walls of the arteries making the volume of blood that can be transported by the arteries less. This can lead to higher blood pressure and ultimately problems with the heart. Bits of cholesterol can break free from the walls and cause blood clots and strokes. Thus it is important to keep healthy cholesterol levels, but what is healthy ? Healthy is measured by the amount of cholesterol (in milligrams) in a deciliter of blood. If this amount is greater than 200 then you have above normal cholesterol levels and it is important that you try to reduce it. This article will give you some ways to reduce this level.

It is easy to get a healthy cholesterol level. Probably the most important thing you will need to be successful is a strong desire to change and the strength of character to stay on the right track without resorting to old habits.

First of all, you need to modify your eating habits. This is probably the main reason why you have a high cholesterol reading to begin with. Look to downsize the amount of fat that you eat. Supersize the fresh fruit and vegetables. Even the fast food outlets are promoting fresher food now so that says something. But more than just going fresh also look at how you cook your food. Use unsaturated oils like olive and canola rather than saturated varieties. Try using different cooking methods to frying or deep frying food. Try grilling meat or fish. Try boiling or baking other foods stuffs. Avoid processed foods as much as possible, especially those that use trans fats as preservatives. Eat more soluble fiber and foods with plant sterols in them. Reduce your intake of full fat dairy products. If you are fond of dairy goods then go to the low fat alternatives.

Get more regular exercise. This will help to burn up the food you eat and keep your weight stable. It is good for the heart and cardiovascular system. However check with your doctor before starting a program. They can check that you have no problems that prohibit taking exercise. If planned exercise like going to the gym bores you senseless then look at things that are not regimented. Try walking more often. Take stairs rather than elevators in the office and department stores. Walk or ride to work. Do fun things like dance classes.

Don't smoke and if you are currently smoking then make plans to give up. Not withstanding all the horrible pictures that you find on cigarette packets these days, it is also bad for your cholesterol level. Smoking decreases the production of HDL cholesterol that help to excrete or lower cholesterol levels in the body.

Don't get stressed out to much. Stress is thought to increase the levels of cholesterol in the body. chronic stress is the worst as it is long term stress that has no resolution. If you can't avoid stress at work or in other areas of your life then find a way to relieve the stress with relaxation techniques, hobbies or even exercise.

And that's it. If you can change your lifestyle to include some or all of these suggestions then you are half way to gaining a healthy cholesterol level.