A soft waxy substance found among the fats in the bloodstream is known as cholesterol. The primary function of cholesterol is to form some hormones and cell membranes. If the cholesterol starts getting deposited in the arteries in the form of plaque, it can cause severe health issues like heart attack and blockage in the streets. One can control the build-up of bad cholesterol by adding the following foods and snacks, which help lower cholesterol levels.

• High density lipoproteins (HDL) or good cholesterol
• Low density lipoprotein (LDL) or bad cholesterol

One can control the build-up of bad cholesterol by cutting down on foods which cause a rise in bad cholesterol levels and maintain good cholesterol levels by adding foods and snacks which help in lowering cholesterol levels.

• Dry fruits: Dry fruits like almonds, walnuts, and pistachios are healthy snacks which help in lowering cholesterol levels as they contain omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, vitamin E, and unsaturated fats. Consuming a handful of nuts helps in lowering cholesterol levels.
• Avocados: Avocados are rich in fiber and unsaturated fats which help in lowering cholesterol levels, triglycerides, and keep the heart healthy. The unsaturated fats destroy the bad cholesterol thus lowering cholesterol levels.
• Dark chocolate: A heart-healthy snack which helps in lowering cholesterol levels, dark chocolate is rich in flavonoids. Flavonoids contain antioxidant properties which help in lowering the build-up of bad cholesterol and helps in preventing heart diseases.
• Apples: Rich in pectin fiber, apples are a great snack for lowering cholesterol levels. They also contain antioxidant properties which help in lowering LDL or bad cholesterol levels. The bioactive compounds present in apples also help in preventing heart diseases.
• Oat: A soluble fiber called beta glucan found in oats is a perfect snack which helps in lowering bad cholesterol levels. Easily digestible, oats also have great nutritional value and do not affect the good cholesterol levels in the body.
• Green tea: The antioxidants present in green tea not only help in lowering cholesterol levels but also contain anti-aging properties, help in weight loss, etc. Green tea helps in lowering the production of LDL without affecting the HDL and reduces the chances of heart diseases.
• Red grapes: A sensible snack for lowering cholesterol levels, red grapes are rich in antioxidants and flavonoids which help in reducing bad cholesterol levels and maintaining a healthy heart.
• Popcorn: A low-calorie snack, popcorn is rich in fiber and no-cholesterol properties thus lowering cholesterol levels. One can eliminate snacks like fried foods from their diet and replace them with popcorn.
• Fatty fish: Omega-3 and fatty acids found in fish help in improving the cholesterol and triglyceride levels, making fish a perfect snack for lowering cholesterol levels.
• Bananas: One of the best snacks for lowering cholesterol levels is consuming bananas as it contains a high amount of fiber, vitamins, and nutrients that help in lowering bad cholesterol levels in the body.

While these foods help in managing cholesterol levels, the following medications can further help lower cholesterol in the body:

Atorvastatin
Lipitor® or Atorvastatin is a type of medicine that belongs to a class “statin” that helps lower blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels. The medicine helps lower the risk of stroke, heart attacks, and other health complications. It comes in tablets and can be taken with or without food as per doctor’s prescription.

Evolocumab
Repatha® or Evolocumab is yet another medication used to lower blood cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of suffering from several health complications. The medicine is a type of PCSK9 inhibitor. Repatha® is administered in the form of injection dosage of which is prescribed by a doctor.

Fenofibrate
Tricor® or Fenofibrate is a type of fibrate that helps in reducing triglycerides or blood lipids, thereby reducing cholesterol levels in the body. It also helps in increasing LDL or “good” cholesterol levels in the body. However, doctors do not prescribe this medication to patients with severe kidney disease.

LIVALO®
LIVALO® (pitavastatin) is a popular tablet called statin, which can help reduce cholesterol levels in adults. It is available in 1-mg, 2-mg, and 4-mg tablets and must be taken based on your doctor’s prescription. However, the maximum daily dosage is limited to 4 mg. Adults who follow a heart-healthy lifestyle may find that LIVALO® helps lower unhealthy cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides, Apolipoprotein B, and total cholesterol. Subsequently, it also works towards increasing healthy cholesterol levels in the body.