Natural Ways to Lower Cholesterol and reduce artery build up

Cholesterol is a waxy fat like substance that is found in all the body cells. The body manufactures it in the liver from saturated fats. Cholesterol is present in foods, such as egg yolks, shellfish, meat and dairy products. A high cholesterol level puts you at the higher risk of a heart attack. There are two types of cholesterol:
Good cholesterol, known as HDL or high density lipoprotein, because it takes cholesterol out of the body by picking up molecules of cholesterol and takes them to the liver, where they are broken down and bad cholesterol, known as LDL or low density lipoprotein, because it deposits cholesterol in the arteries where it builds up, narrowing them and causes heart and circulatory problems.

Lowering your cholesterol and avoiding high blood pressure is an important part of a healthy lifestyle. As well as eating the right diet of mainly fresh vegetables and fruit, there are other things that can be undertaken to lower bad cholesterol and reduce artery build up. Try to reduce stress and anxiety in your life, by doing gentle breathing exercises, meditating or yoga. In your personal relationships, try to avoid arguments and also reduce your consumption of alcohol and smoking, when out socialising. Owning a pet can also be helpful, as research has shown that stroking a rabbit can be very therapeutic.

Foods to cut out include fried foods, pastries, butter substitutes, cookies and cakes, which contain trans fats.

Foods to reduce or cut out include red meat, whole fat milk, cheese and eggs.

Foods to increase include mackeral, herring and salmon for their omega 3 oils.(no more than 2 servings per week).
Olive oil, canola oil, peanuts, walnuts and almonds for their mono unsaturated fat content.
Soy milk, soy beans, tofu for their antioxidant properties.
Garlic for it's ability to slightly thin the blood.
Oats and bran for their fat binding properties, which has been shown to absorb cholesterol.
Blueberries, as an antioxidant and apples for their pectin content, which decreases the amount of cholesterol produced in the liver.

Other ways to reduce cholesterol are to take a natural supplement, such as policosunol or by obtaining prescription drugs called statins from your doctor.