Lowering LDL Cholesterol, also known as the bad cholesterol, is certainly important, as many people are in the pursuit to do just that. However, increasing HDL Cholesterol, the good cholesterol, is also imperative for a healthy body. When HDL cholesterol is at an increased level, it significantly lowers the risk of heart disease. There are considerable ways to increase good cholesterol naturally.

Eating right is an important factor when it comes to good and bad cholesterol levels. Avoid foods that contain saturated fat and especially trans fat. According to many doctors, trans fat, is by far, the worst. Trans fat lowers HDL and increases LDL. Most fast food restaurants use vegetable oil that contain trans fat. Other sources of trans fat are; packaged foods, cakes, cookies, donuts, margarine, chips, pizza, ice cream, ready made frozen meals, and other processed foods.

Incorporating more monounsaturated fat into a diet is a healthy way to raise good cholesterol. It is found in canola, peanut, olive, sunflower, and sesame oil. It can be used to replace vegetable oils containing trans fat. This particular fat also contains many nutrients the body needs. Some examples of food containing monounsaturated fats are; avocados, peanut butter, nuts and seeds.

Exercise is not only good for HDL cholesterol levels, it is also beneficial at boosting cardiovascular condition. Exercise should be started out slow and built upon. Establish a routine of walking or other aerobic or cardiovascular exercise. Always consult with a doctor before starting any exercise regiment.

Smoking is not only detrimental to a healthy body, but is bad on the wallet also. Smoking effects body functions. Smoking increases bad cholesterol and therefore will decrease the good cholesterol. The decision to stop smoking should be made. This decision will aid in the production of good cholesterol and may also help out the wallet.

Eating more fish is another great option. Fish contain adequate amounts of the fatty acids, Omega-3 and Omega-6, which are great nutrients for HDL cholesterol. However, there are many that are not fish eaters, therefore, a fish oil supplement should be taken for a substitute.

Drinking one glass of wine a day can help increase levels of HDL cholesterol. Red wine seems to be a better choice, as it has more levels of phenolic antioxidants than white wine. Phenolic antioxidants help maintain healthy levels of LDL cholesterol. A glass of wine may possibly help lower blood pressure as well.

An enjoyable way to build up HDL cholesterol is by eating dark chocolate. This delicious treat will enhance HDL production when eaten on a regular basis. Just eat in moderation.

Cholesterol medications are traditionally treated with cholesterol lowering medications; statins. Statins have been known to have devastating effects on the body. Common side effects include; weakness throughout the arms and legs, gas, heartburn, nausea, bloating and diarrhea, as well as more serious side effects. There are many natural ways that we can lower our cholesterol besides the traditional medication options, as well as reduced diet and exercise. Whether the food that we eat, or the choices that we choose to input into our body.

Taking a quality multi vitamin daily can decrease the risk for heart disease, and lower the risk for cholesterol to become elevated. Important components of the multi vitamin include vitamin B12 and folic acid has been shown to reduce the risk of developing heart disease by thirty one percent. Folic acid is important because it has been shown to decrease the blood levels of amino acids that can cause stroke, heart disease and hyperlipidemia. B vitamins are crucial within the body as they promote a healthy heart. Therefore a well rounded multi vitamin can increase your health and decrease your risk of developing not only heart disease, but many others.

If taking a multi vitamin, beware of the iron content-large amounts of iron have been known to discount the other heart healthy vitamins and increase blood cholesterol levels. Certain foods can lower cholesterol, while decreasing the risks of heart disease. Consider something so simple as a glass of orange juice, which contains plant sterols-drinking two glasses per day has been shown to decrease cholesterol. Cranberry juice is an alternative for those who do not enjoy the taste or texture of orange juice.

Red wine has been known to decrease cholesterol, in moderation of course – it seems to remove excess from the blood, it is also helpful in decreasing a chemical within the body that causes red blood cells to constrict. Other food types such as soy and tofu can assist in decreasing the cholesterol. After twelve weeks of soy infused diets participants in a study had shown decreased cholesterol by five percent over the course of the study. There are many foods that we can choose to eat that have beneficial effects on our health, rather than foods high in sugar or fats that only increase bad cholesterol within the body.