What's the best (easiest/fastest) way to lower my LDL w/o medication?

I can diet/exercise, but am having problems finding specifics -- I am not under doctor's care, but just got results back yesterday and my LDL is way too high -- 45+ female, not very active at this time, overweight but not obese (medically or physically).

All the responses have been good thus far.Fish oil will also help some. Eating more fish or taking over the counter supplements may be beneficial. The more oatmeal, whole grain food, and low-fat food you eat the better. Cholesterol is in animal products. Cut back on red meat, cheese, eggs, and greasy foods.

Also work on raising your good cholesterol through exercise. Read food labels and focus on the amount of cholesterol you eat. Cut it down by 25% every 2 weeks or so. Don't make drastic changes or else it will be very hard to stick to the new diet.

Hi!

Well, w/o meds that only leaves diet and exercise. I have type-II diabetes, and so I HAVE to monitor all of this myself. My doc sent me to a nutritionist who put me on a terrible diet.

The basic deal is this: Eat leafy green and yellow veggies. The greener and yellower, the better. Use canola and olive oil for food prep and stay away from the greasy meats, especially red meats. You don't have to avoid them entirely, but cut WAY back ...and stay out of fast food places.

Another good idea is to reduce your starch intake. Again, I have to do this (but maybe you don't?), and include a reduction in excess sugar. Starches break down into sugars inside your body, so less starch will lower glucose as well. This apparently has some impact on cholesterol.

Give yourself about 6 weeks of this and see if you can notice a difference. Your LDLs should be lower and your HDLs should be about the same or a little higher.

Good Luck with this. I know it's no fun at all, but remember, you're not alone!

In all honesty, diet and exercise are the best methods for lowering your total cholesterol level. A diet low in fat and high fiber will help. You need protein also but make sure you don't get it from a fatty source. Lean meats, chicken, beef, turkey, and fish are great. I ate plenty of oatmeal as well...a good source of fiber. I also switched to skim milk and ate fat free ice cream when I felt like I really wanted some.

Diet and exercise help alot and also flaxseed oil. I take one tablespoon everyday. Don't take the capsules because you would have to take 16 of them to equal one tablespoon. My LDl went from 149 to 129, also oatmeal helps.