Over 100 million Americans have high cholesterol. 

If you’re one of these people, you may not have to live with high cholesterol levels forever. There are several different types of high cholesterol treatment that can help you manage the condition. 

We’ve put together this guide to help you learn a few lifestyle changes that can save your health. 

So let’s get started below!

1. Take the Right Medication 

The best way to lower your cholesterol is to make healthy lifestyle changes. However, your doctor might also recommend taking some type of medication. 

Depending on the specifics of your condition, they may have you take: 

• Statins
• Cholesterol absorption inhibitors
• Bile-acid-binding resins
• Injectable medications (such as PCSK9 inhibitors, evolocumab, alirocumab, etc.)

Your doctor may prescribe you several of these medications at the same time if one isn’t doing the trick. At the same time, you may not need to take any medication to lower your cholesterol at all. 

So don’t be afraid to ask your doctor a lot of questions. They’ll be able to put together the best treatment plan for your personal needs. 

2. Change Your Diet 

Your diet is probably full of foods that raise your cholesterol. One of the best ways to manage high cholesterol is to cut these foods out of your diet. 

Make sure you avoid foods that contain a lot of trans fats, salt, and sugar. This means you should stop eating things like: 

• Donuts, cookies, and other pastries 
• Crackers and biscuits
• Microwave popcorn 
• Salty chips and snacks
• Frozen foods
• Cured meats
• Candy 
• Soda and sweet tea
• Most fast foods 

It is also important to remember that sugar is often added to foods you might not suspect. When you’re out shopping, check all the labels before tossing an item into your cart. If it says the words glucose, brown sugar, high fructose corn syrup, sucrose, syrup, corn sweeteners, dextrose, fruit juice concentrates, maltose, or lactose, you should find something else to buy instead. 

Are you left asking yourself, “So what can I eat?”

Don’t panic. There are plenty of other healthy (and tasty) options that will benefit your cholesterol. This includes options like: 

• Fresh fruits and vegetables 
• Whole grains (such as oats, pasta, bread, etc.)
• Fresh meat (make sure it is low-fat or fat-free)
• Beans
• Nuts and seeds 
• Dairy products (as long as they are low fat) 
• Fish 

Changing your diet will keep your cholesterol low and your body healthy. 

3. Cook Your Own Meals at Home

Remember, most fast foods are full of salt, sugar, and trans fats. It can be hard to avoid these things at a sit-down restaurant as well. Because of this, it’s a good idea to start cooking your own meals at home. 

Of course, this doesn’t mean you can’t eat out anymore. You just have to be more careful, and you should save eating out for gatherings with friends and family or special occasions. 

4. Lose Some Weight 

Even losing a few pounds will help reduce your cholesterol. 

But don’t make the mistake of thinking you have to drop 50 pounds. Talk to your doctor about your weight and how much you need to lose (if any). 

You also don’t have to spend all your free time in the gym. Start slow and take things one step at a time. 

It’s important to stay safe as you drop the pounds. 

5. Stay Active 

It’s important to maintain an active lifestyle if you want to lower your cholesterol, but that may not involve attending exercise classes or lifting weights in the living room. 

There are many different ways to stay active, and it doesn’t have to be a straightforward exercise. 

Go on a walk. Take a hike and enjoy the scenery. Try something new, like rollerblading. 

Find something you enjoy that keeps you moving. 

6. Find Ways to Relax 

Food isn’t the only thing that raises your cholesterol levels. Stress can make your cholesterol go through the roof. 

Find a few ways to avoid stress and relax. 

This could be anything from yoga to meditation to keeping a journal. Find a hobby that brings you joy, like coloring or reading, and do a bit every day. 

You should also make sure you’re getting enough sleep, at least seven hours each night. Running on too little sleep will negatively impact your emotional and physical health, making your stress levels go up. 

If you don’t get enough sleep as of now, changing your sleeping habits should be one of your first priorities.  

7. Stop Smoking

Smoking can cause all kinds of health problems, one of which is higher cholesterol. If you’re a smoker, you should work on kicking this habit to the curb. 

This might take some time, but it will lower your cholesterol levels in the long run. 

You should also do your best to avoid breathing in second-hand smoke. If you live with other smokers, maybe you can put some rules in place to at least make the inside of the home a smoke-free zone. 

Finding the Best High Cholesterol Treatment for Your Needs

The best high cholesterol treatment involves making healthy lifestyle changes. This means getting out of the house, exercising, losing weight, and avoiding certain foods. 

But sometimes you need some help from medications as well. 

Has your doctor prescribed you any high cholesterol medicine? Don’t let yourself worry about the cost. You may be able to find the same medication for lower prices online. 

Not sure where to look?

We can help! Make sure you look through our selection of medications today.