Reducing Bad CholesterolAlthough often portrayed as a dietary pariah, cholesterol is essential to life. The body needs it to make sex hormones, bile, vitamin D, cell membranes, and nerve sheaths. These and other functions fall to serum cholesterol, a waxy, fatlike compound that circulates in the bloodstream. Science
Options Initially when your cholesterol levels get above 20% and you have a well-man test, an alarm gets generated and then you will be asked to discuss your health with your local GP; you will probably be told that you now have a small chance of having a coronary or a brain hemorrhage over the next few years. So you might actually be able to go through your whole life, and live to a good age, eating and drinking what you like, and even smoking sixty cigarettes a day. You do occasionally hear of people who do just that. But as you get older, it becomes more likely that something like a heart attack or brain hemorrhage will happen, and if it does, it will most likely devastate your life.
If your cholesterol levels are too high, it is best to know which foods contain the most cholesterol and minimize consumption. Experts agree that diet that limits fat intake to 20 percent or less of total calories and restricts saturated fats to 7 percent or less can lower total blood cholesterol an average of 14 percent. Strict diet yield even better results. Foods to Reduce Bad Cholesterol Here is a list (not comprehensive) of foods that are known for being high in cholesterol.
For example, a scrambled egg yolk can contain up to 465 milligrams of cholesterol alone. Just by eating one egg at breakfast, you've overshot your RDV. Try eating just the egg whites. One way to keep your cholesterol levels normal is to reduce your overall fat intake on a daily basis to 20-35% of your total calories. Healthy fats found in nuts, fish and vegetable oils are better for you than foods high in saturated fats. Increase your daily consumption of vegetables and fruit, preferably in their whole form. Choose whole grains over white grains (brown rice over white for example). Reducing your cholesterol levels is just a matter of reducing bad cholesterol containing foods and adding those that are healthier. Along with good nutrition, increasing exercise, weight loss and stress reduction can all reduce bad cholesterol or improve the LDL/HDL ratio.
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You can rely on Statins and / or Fibrates for the rest of your life and carry on eating as you please. This option sounds like the easiest way to go but you are then relying on drugs for the rest of your life. What about the side effects and possible health hazards? A report in the media recently said that people who are on Statins have a small chance of developing lung cancer, and the manufacturers of both Statins and Fibrates say that there are associated problems like stomach cramps, diarrhoea and constipation. Before you know it, you could be taking several drugs every day and your health could start to deteriorate. 
A good rule to remember is that cholesterol comes mainly from animals. Keep in mind that some foods, although may contain high amounts of cholesterol can also be good sources of protein, carbohydrates, fatty acids and other important nutrients. These foods need not be completely eliminated from your diet; however, portion control is necessary. 
