When it comes to cholesterol and preventing heart disease, actress Marilu Henner is committed to informing the public, especially women, about how to be proactive through healthy diet and lifestyle choices.

In your control

• Check cholesterol levels every year at age 40 and up.
• Cut fried foods, red meat, dairy products, and saturated fats from your diet.
• Eat more fish.
• Exercise regularly to clean cholesterol out of the arteries.
• Practice stress reduction.

You've heard that good cholesterol management can
lead to a longer life. But, did you know how much good living it could
make possible? Discover how low cholesterol can improve your sex life,
bone strength, and more.

Why Cholesterol Matters

Seventy percent of your cholesterol comes from that which you yourself manufacture, mostly in the liver; only one-third comes directly from the diet. This is why a low-cholesterol diet is not as important as a cholesterol-lowering diet.

Sometimes diet, exercise and stress reduction just aren't enough to get cholesterol into the safe zone. In terms of medication, physicians prescribe statins, which are able to control an enzyme in the body that is responsible for the manufacture of lipids, also known as fats. This control process reduces the body's production of cholesterol. Know that possible side effects of statins include muscle pains and elevation of liver function. Consult your physician to see if medication is right for you.

Fatigue, anger and distress can raise your body's adrenaline levels, causing cholesterol to rise. Practice relaxation and stress-reduction techniques such as meditation or breathing exercises. Guided imagery -- visualizing positive situations and beautiful scenes (try focusing on a loved one or even a favorite pet) -- has also been found to control stress.

Physical activity can greatly affect your cholesterol levels. By exercising, you raise your metabolism and burn calories, losing fat weight. Exercise, while lowering total cholesterol, also increases the good HDL cholesterol, which helps prevent plaque from forming on the walls of the arteries.

Certain foods can help with cholesterol management. Increase your intake of soy products such as tofu, soy milk, soy protein powder and soy/veggie burgers. Other items for your shopping list:

• Fruits
• Vegetables
• Lentils and dried beans
• Fish with omega-3 oils such as salmon, sardines or mackerel
• Flaxseed
• Oatmeal
• Olive oil

The No. 1 foods to avoid? "Anything that is deep-fried," says nutrition director Marlene Lesson, M.S., R.D. "Also, foods containing hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils are the enemy. These include margarine, pastries, packaged cookies, crackers, potato chips and other snack foods." Other foods to give up include cheese and other dairy products, poultry skin (remove it before eating the meat), and red meat other than top round and edge of round.

Beginning at age 40, get your cholesterol levels checked every year. A simple blood test is all that is required, and results are generally available within a week.