Your liver produces eighty percent of the cholesterol your body needs to function effectively. Aside from the production of cholesterol, the liver is also responsible for the excretion of excess levels of LDL cholesterol in the body.

This process is carried out with the help of HDL cholesterol, which collects excess levels of LDL in the blood and brings them to the liver for excretion.

The amount of cholesterol in your body can be attributed to two key factors - inherited genetic disorder and diet.

Familial hypercholesterolemia is a genetic defect that causes high cholesterol levels in the blood.

People who inherit familial hypercholesterolemia have a lack of low-density lipoprotein receptors that remove cholesterol from the blood.

As a result, they will have high cholesterol levels from birth, which generally leads to an early development of hardening of the arteries and cardiovascular disease.

In dealing with this condition, following a low cholesterol diet is very important.

The kinds of foods that you include in your diet have a major impact on your levels of LDL cholesterol and your levels of HDL too.

Foods with high fat and cholesterol content promote an increase in LDL cholesterol levels in the body, as well as an increase in triglycerides and a decrease in HDL levels.

This includes animal products, full fat dairy products, fast food, processed food, pre-packaged food, cakes and biscuits.

Instead you need to eat more green leafy vegetables, onions, apples, blueberries, avocados, salmon, herring, mackerel, tuna, chicken (without skin), olive oil, canola oil, oats, oat bran, nuts and seeds.

These foods will provide you with soluble fibre and Omega 3, which will lower LDL cholesterol and triglycerides while increasing HDL levels.

Lowering your levels of LDL, and increasing HDL levels, is the best way to prevent the occurrence of atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries.

Getting regular exercise will give your HDL cholesterol a boost, while at the same time lowering LDL. You need to maintain a steady pace for a minimum of 30 minutes a day, for at least five days a week.

Most people have now come to realize the value of adding natural supplements to their daily routine.

If you choose the right supplement, with the right purely natural ingredients, then you are well on your way to achieving heart healthy cholesterol levels and excellent heart health.

Aside from reducing the levels of LDL cholesterol and triglycerides in your body, and raising HDL, the above recommendations will also help with:

* Preventing, reversing or stopping the development of plaque within the walls of the arteries
* Preventing the development of blood clots and arterial blockages
* Reducing the risk of having a stroke or a heart attack
* Providing additional benefit to both the cerebral and carotid arteries (major arteries that lead to the brain)
* Widening narrowed arteries

Following the above guidelines will ensure you achieve the recommended levels of LDL cholesterol, triglycerides and HDL, thus giving you peace of mind to enjoy life to the full.

If you are ready to achieve the right levels of LDL and HDL cholesterol levels to protect yourself against heart disease, then visit my website today for quality information to guide you to success.

Mary Ruddy is a former high cholesterol sufferer, from a family with a history of heart disease, and has successfully achieved perfect cholesterol levels, reversing and eliminating the risk of heart disease, and is a strong advocate of natural health care. Mary enjoys introducing people to the best natural products she can find and uses herself daily at: http://www.curing-cholesterol.com/

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