It is estimated that high cholesterol affects roughly 35 million Americans. If you have high cholesterol, then you are more likely to develop heart disease, or suffer from a heart attack or stroke. High cholesterol is not something that you have to live with. You can take the following steps to reduce your cholesterol:

1. Regular exercise
Exercising is one of the best things that you can do in order to lower your cholesterol. Not only does exercise lower your total cholesterol, but it can also raise your good cholesterol. It is a good idea to get your doctor’s okay before you start working out. If your doctor says that it is alright for you to work out, then you should try to get 30 minutes per day. There are several ways that you can exercise. You can take a brisk walk for an hour. You can also ride your bike to work. Additionally, you can start playing your favorite sport.

2. Eat fish
You should eat two servings of fatty fish per week. Not only can fish lower your cholesterol, but it can also reduce your risk of heart disease. Salmon and mackerel are some of the fatty fish that you can add to your diet. If you do not like the taste of fish, then you can try fish oil. Fish oil is one of the over the counter cholesterol lowering supplements.

3. Stop smoking
Smoking can also raise your cholesterol level. That is why it is a good idea for you to quit smoking. This can raise your good cholesterol and lower your risk of heart disease. Keep in mind that your health will start to improve as soon as you stop smoking. Your heart rate and blood pressure will return to normal within 20 minutes of quitting. Your blood circulation will start to improve within three months of quitting. Additionally, your risk of heart disease will be cut in a half within a year of quitting.

4. Limit saturated and trans fats
Saturated fats are found in full-fat dairy products and meat. Trans fat is found in cakes, crackers and store-bought cookies. Both types of fat can raise your cholesterol. That is why you should limit your intake of those types of fat.

5. Moderate alcohol consumption
If you consume alcohol, then you should only have one or two beverages per day. Excessive alcohol consumption can raise your cholesterol. It can also increase the risk of heart disease.

6. Take doctor-prescribed statins
Many people are able to use a natural supplement to lower LDL cholesterol. However, if your cholesterol levels are still high, then you should take Livalo (pitavastatin) statin drug. There are two ways that statins can lower cholesterol. They can block the production of cholesterol. They also lower the amount of cholesterol in your bloodstream.