Lowering your cholesterol may be one of the healthiest New Year resolutions. If you have high cholesterol, 2010 might be the year to finally bring your cholesterol to healthy levels.

The main causes of high cholesterol can be divided in two groups: the causes you cannot control such as genetics or family history, and the causes you can control such as weight, diet, stress, alcohol and smoking.

There are many ways to control your cholesterol levels and stay off medication. Diet plays an important role in lowering your cholesterol and some foods can significantly help this battle and protect your heart. Try to replace foods high in saturated fats, such as cheese, meat and croutons, in your salad with nuts, rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Walnuts and almonds can reduce blood cholesterol, as studies have shown that nuts help keep blood vessels healthy and elastic. Most nuts appear to have a similar effect including hazelnuts, peanuts, pecans, pine nuts and pistachios.

In addition, fish is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids and is highly recommended to reduce cholesterol levels. Most doctors recommend two to three servings of fish per week. Salmon, tuna, mackerel, herring and sardines have the highest levels of omega-3 fatty acids.

Fish oil supplements can also support healthy cholesterol levels. Many people have successfully reduced cholesterol levels simply taking a fish oil in addition to red yeast rice, another natural supplement to fight cholesterol.

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