DHAKA: While medication will help you control this disease, lifestyle changes also help to keep cholesterol under control.

High cholesterol can prove to be detrimental to your health if it isn't got under control. While good cholesterol is important for your body to work properly — it helps you digest your food well and also helps produce vitamin D, too much of it can cause a number of health problems like plaque in your arteries, which, in turn, causes heart disease.

While medication will help you control this disease, lifestyle changes also help, reports The Times of India.

Make sure that your diet includes a lot of legumes like chickpeas, lentils and beans. These foods are said to lower bad cholesterol. Another food item that will help is apple.

Packed with a host of nutrients, apples are great for those looking at lowering bad cholesterol levels. Walnuts are excellent as well. You can also include oatmeal and high-fiber foods. Also eat fatty fish, which is packed with generous doses of omega-3 fatty acids that reduce the risk of developing ant types of blood clots.

Don't just focus on your diet to fight cholesterol though. Make sure that you're physically active as well. The more you exercise the better it is for your overall health and especially your cholesterol. Workout at least three to four times a week. Lower your alcohol intake to the bare minimum and quit smoking.

BDST: 2118 HRS, NOV 03, 2014