Cholesterol has become such a dirty word in the health industries, but it isn't all bad. In fact, the human body does require some cholesterol to live, and while LDL or bad cholesterol can lead to heart problems, the good or HDL cholesterol can help reduce these problems.

Of course, some people will have a more difficult time raising HDL cholesterol than others, because genetics does play a role in cholesterol and weight, but this does not mean that you can't be healthy if high LDL runs in your family. Take a look at these ways that you can increase the good and turn down the bad cholesterol in your body.

Become Active In Everyday Life:

Many people make that New Year's resolution to get to the gym and by the warm sunny summer months, the gym is long forgotten. Regular exercise can be a bit commitment, but if you can get yourself to a point where you are being active at least once every day, it will get easier and easier to stay that way. Being active can include walking, jogging, biking, swimming, yoga, dancing, and other various forms of cardiovascular activity which gets your heart pumping. This is one of the top ways to raising HDL cholesterol and lowering LDL.

More Sleep And Less Alcohol:

Drinking in moderation can be fine, meaning one glass of wine with supper once a day or a few times a week. Drinking in access can cause your LDL to rise and HDL to lower. This means that by reducing intake of alcohol, or even cutting it out of your life altogether can help with raising HDL cholesterol in your body.

Your sleep patterns also play a role in your cholesterol level, or so new scientific studies would suggest. Having even just one hour less of sleep a night can play a big role in weight gain, the increase in LDL cholesterol level and a number of other health concerns. To lower LDL and raise HDL, sleeping an appropriate amount each night can be key.

Eat Well:

Finally, raising HDL cholesterol depends greatly on diet, and much of the LDL that you want to avoid is found in those delicious but awful foods that you know aren't great for you. Refined sugar, fatty cuts of beef and pork, deep fried snacks like potato chips and french fries, and other forms of junk are bad for your body and can raise bad cholesterol. To counteract this and bring up your HDL level, eat more fruits and vegetables, keeping fiber levels high. Omega 3 fatty acids found in salmon, sardines, mackerel and other oily fish can also help greatly to increase your good cholesterol level.

If you are really serious about raising HDL and lowering LDL then you should consider creating a meal and exercise plan for yourself and following it daily. Monitor your cholesterol which help from your doctor, and try to be as healthy as possible in terms of activity, food choices, sleeping, and alcohol consumption.