5 Ways to Score Lower Cholesterol

By EatingWell Editors, "Our Heart-Health Playbook," January/February 2010

Easy tips for lowering your cholesterol and getting your heart in shape.

1. Get Trim

Steelers backup quarterback Charlie Batch dropped 12 pounds and reduced his total cholesterol about 20 percent between the end of last season and the start of this one. (Major diet changes: making better choices when eating out; swapping wine in place of apple martinis, sugar free Jell-O for gummy worms and popcorn for Doritos.) Losing as little as 5 to 10 percent of your body weight can result in better blood pressure, lower risk for diabetes and improved cholesterol levels, according to various research studies.

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