Help lower your levels by eating more foods that are rich in sources of good cholesterol, as well as those that reduce bad cholesterol. This means simultaneously cutting back on high-LDL items such as ... Eat more of these foods to help naturally lower your cholesterol.

Understanding the Context

Pictured recipe: Walnut-Rosemary Crusted Salmon Eating certain foods regularly can help lower cholesterol and protect your heart ... Table full of healthy foods, including nuts, edamame, beans, and vegetables - 5PH/Shutterstock High cholesterol has serious implications for our long-term health. In fact, according to the World Heart ... Total cholesterol.

Key Insights

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. Triglycerides. In general, you can't have food or liquids other than water for around 9 to 12 hours before the test. This is called fasting.

Final Thoughts

Some cholesterol tests don't require fasting, so follow your healthcare professional's instructions. Interpreting the numbers In the United States ... LDL carries cholesterol particles throughout the body. "Bad" cholesterol builds up in the walls of arteries. This makes the arteries hard and narrow. When a gene change causes high cholesterol, the body has trouble removing LDL cholesterol from the blood.

Or the body has trouble breaking down LDL cholesterol in the liver. Diet can play an important role in lowering your cholesterol. Here are some foods to improve your cholesterol and protect your heart. AOL: The Breakfast Foods You Should Be Eating to Lower Your Cholesterol, According to Experts Many Americans struggle with high cholesterol levels, specifically LDL or "bad" cholesterol.