9 easy-to-do ways to lower your LDLs

A big part of staying healthy is keeping the low density lipoproteins (LDLs), or bad kind of fats, in your bloodstream under control. Here are nine easy ways to get back on track.

This may seem like a no-brainer, but decreasing your intake of foods rich in LDLs is one of the easiest ways of lowering your LDL levels.

• Avoid foods with plenty of saturated fats, like red meats, mayonnaise, butter, full-fat cream or milk and egg yolks.
• They might be okay in moderation, but talk to your doctor about seeing what kind of impact they'll have on your LDL levels.

At the opposite end of the spectrum are foods that are low in LDL themselves, with the thinking being that prevention is easier than reduction.

• Try to shop for foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids.
• Fish like shrimp, salmon, trout, mackerel and herring are solid choices, as are game meats (bison, venison and more) and lean chicken.

You can think of foods in this group as being like little soldiers, fighting LDLs in your body .

• On your next grocery trip, stocking up on foods like bran, rolled oats, potatoes, brussels sprouts, berries, carrots and more.

Ramping up your exercise can not only help lower LDLs, but also raise HDLs (high density lipoproteins), which are good for you.

• Take on a new physical exercise or increase the amount you're doing.
• Even just walking more briskly can help reduce your LDL levels by a little bit.
• The important thing is to stay active, be consistent about it and work it in whenever possible – even if it's as simple as getting off the bus a couple of stops early or taking a computer break and jogging in place.

The primary goal of exercise and fitness should be to feel good, but a secondary goal can be to lose weight as well.

• Dropping pounds means your heart and other vital organs don't have to work as hard, and can instead streamline their efforts towards reducing LDLs.
• The tricky thing about the body is so many parts and processes are related, so a problem in one area can either trigger or be related to LDLs.
• Getting to a healthy weight can be one way to drop your LDLs, but make sure you go easy on the amount of "good" fats you consume (e.g., olive oil) at the same time.

You'll want to first talk to your doctor about seeing if drinking a glass of wine each day can have a positive impact on lowering LDLs.

• Be careful not to overdo the drinking. Too much alcohol consumption can have detrimental effects and cancel out the positives.

As with wine, a small portion of nuts each day can help decrease your LDL levels.

• Choose "healthy" nuts like unsalted almonds, walnuts, pistachios and cashew.
• Skip "bad" nuts like salted peanuts or macadamia nuts for their higher fat content and lower levels of magnesium and potassium.

It doesn't need to be said that smoking does absolutely no good for your body.

• If you don't smoke, then this part doesn't apply to you. But if you do, seriously consider putting the habit aside. It's one of the most impactful ways you can improve your overall health, which includes decreasing your LDL levels.

Usually, the best way to lower LDLs is to do it naturally and without medical intervention, but that's not always possible.

• If you need help getting over the hump, speak to your doctor about medications that can help you get to the finish line.
• Remember, not every medication works the same in every person, so it's important to schedule a medical visit first to see what your options are.