LifeMasters Provides Tips for Maintaining a Healthy Blood Cholest...( SAN FRANCISCO Sept. 5 /- More tha...),Health

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 105 million Americans have high cholesterol, according to the American Heart Association. September marks the start of National Cholesterol Month, and LifeMasters, a leading national provider of health improvement programs, offers simple tips to maintain healthy blood cholesterol levels.

Cholesterol, a fat-like substance found in arteries, is produced by the body and absorbed from food. The liver also makes cholesterol. When there is too much LDL, or "bad" cholesterol in the body, the excess can stick to artery walls, causing narrowing of the vessel and decreasing blood flow. This process increases the risk of heart disease, including heart attack, which is the leading cause of death in the United States. High cholesterol is also a key risk factor for stroke. Fatty deposits caused by high cholesterol can block normal blood flow to the brain resulting in a stroke.

"Even though factors like genetics and age cannot be changed, individuals can make simple lifestyle modifications that can help lower blood cholesterol and reduce the risks of developing heart disease," said Mary Jane Osmick, M.D., vice president and medical director at LifeMasters. "Individuals need to be more aware of their blood cholesterol levels and learn more about the necessary lifestyle changes needed to maintain healthy cholesterol numbers. Every patient should know and track their cholesterol "numbers."

Dr. Osmick offers suggestions for battling high cholesterol:

LifeMasters Tips to Maintaining Healthy Cholesterol Levels

1. Ditch the Fats: A prime contributor to high cholesterol is a fat-rich

diet. Foods with high amounts of saturated and trans fats, like fast

foods, egg yolks, liver and butter, only add to the problem. These

foods should be avoided and replaced with low-fat or low cholesterol

alternatives. Instead, add lots of fruits and vegetables to your diet

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