How to keep healthy cholesterol levels

• Exercise at least 30 minutes every day. This can help balance cholesterol levels in your blood.

• Eat healthy. Be extra careful with the amount and types of fat and oil in your diet.

• Stay at a healthy weight. Lose extra weight if you need to.

• Don't drink too much alcohol. If you drink, have no more than 1 or 2 drinks a day.

• Lower your stress. Take time for yourself. Do things that make you feel happy and calm.

• Increase your intake of whole grains, with an emphasis on soluble fiber. Eat at least 25 to 30 grams of fiber a day, preferably from whole grains, fruits, vegetables and legumes.

• Increase your intake of poly- and mono-unsaturated fatty acids and reduce your intake of saturated and trans fats. Limit your saturated fat consumption to less than 7% and your intake of trans fat to less than 1% of your total daily calories.

• Increase your intake of fruits and vegetables high in antioxidants. Eat five or more servings of fruits and vegetables per day.