Taking 2–3 grams of plant sterols or stanols every day can lower your 'bad' cholesterol by about 8–10%, helping your heart—especially if you already have high cholesterol—by blocking your gut from absorbing too much cholesterol from food.

Eating certain foods like canola oil, oats, and barley that are rich in good fats and fiber may help lower your bad cholesterol by a noticeable amount, which can help manage high cholesterol levels.

Eating certain foods like oats, barley, and foods with added plant sterols—while cutting back on bad fats—probably lowers your bad cholesterol by a noticeable amount, which can help manage high cholesterol.

Eating mostly plants like vegetables, fruits, beans, and whole grains can help lower bad fats in your blood, which might keep your heart healthier and reduce your risk of heart disease.

A specific eating plan with healthy fats, fiber, and fish, plus exercise advice, helped overweight people with high cholesterol lose weight and lower their bad cholesterol much more than just getting general advice to eat better.

Eating foods with plant sterols—like fortified margarine or nuts—helps lower your 'bad' cholesterol because they block your gut from absorbing too much cholesterol, so your liver makes more receptors to clean up the leftover cholesterol in your blood.