Life & Beauty Weekly

You’re not alone: High cholesterol is more common than ever these days. But small changes you make today can have a big impact on your levels down the road.

The first question is, do you smoke? If yes, it’s time to kick the habit. Being a nonsmoker will have positive effects on your overall health as well as improve your levels of HDL cholesterol (the “good” type). For some people, after they quit smoking, their HDL levels can naturally increase -- sometimes by greater amounts than from traditional treatment with medication or even weight loss. Those higher levels of HDL cholesterol may help offset unhealthy levels of LDL cholesterol (the “bad” type, which can block arteries). It has also been shown to be protective against the development of heart disease.

And whether you smoke or not, don’t allow another trans fat to pass your lips. So, next time you’re at the grocery store, check all labels and put back anything with “partially hydrogenated oil” on the ingredients list. This source of trans fat is often found in processed foods and is known to increase LDL levels.

Your Expert
Elizabeth Klodas, M.D., is a cardiologist in Edina, Minn., and a fellow of the American College of Cardiology. She is also the author of Slay the Giant: The Power of Prevention in Defeating Heart Disease and a medical editor for WebMD.