Cholesterol is a waxy substance that can clog the blood vessels, leading to a heart attack or stroke. Cholesterol is produced by the liver, but for many people, elevated cholesterol of 200 or higher is the result of consuming foods with too much cholesterol. It should be noted however, that there are those who inherit the tendency toward high cholesterol. Regardless of how the condition occurs, it can be dangerous and take years off of a person's life. The good news is that there are some simple steps one can take to keep cholesterol at healthy levels. It is important to know that there are two types of cholesterol that complete the cholesterol profile. One is LDL cholesterol, which consists of low-density lipoproteins. This is known as bad cholesterol, the type that should be kept lower. The other type is HDL cholesterol, the good cholesterol that everyone desires. The key to lowering bad cholesterol and the overall cholesterol number is to eat health food. Start by increasing the number of fruits and vegetables consumed. Fill half of the lunch or dinner plate with healthy vegetables and fruit, and choose fruits and vegetables for snacks. Whole grains also factor into the cholesterol equation. Whole grains contain fiber which helps remove cholesterol from the blood. Everyone should strive to make at least half of the grains they eat whole. This means including whole wheat or whole grain bread, and whole grain pasta and brown rice in the diet.High cholesterol foods are also high in fat. By consuming foods that are lower in fat and trans fat, a healthy cholesterol level can be achieved. This means eating low-fat meats and poultry, low-fat dairy products and cutting back on cakes, cookies, crackers and other snack foods. Exercise also plays a role in lowering cholesterol. Walking is simple form of exercise that can help burn off fat, and lower cholesterol. Fortunately, for those who inherit high cholesterol, there are medications available to treat the condition. However, those individuals still need to follow the guidelines for healthy eating.