What is a normal cholesterol level?

Total cholesterol levels under 200 mg/dl are healthy for adults. Doctors treat readings of 200–239 mg/dl as borderline high, and readings of at least 240 mg/dl as high.

So what are your target numbers? According to Michos, an ideal LDL cholesterol level should be less than 70 mg/dl, and a woman's HDL cholesterol level ideally should be close to 50 mg/dl. Triglycerides should be less than 150 mg/dl. As Michos notes, total cholesterol levels well below 200 mg/dl are best.

Your total cholesterol is generally considered “borderline high” if it's between 200 and 239 mg/dL. It's considered “high” if it's above 240 mg/dL. Your LDL cholesterol is generally considered “borderline high” if it's between 130 and 159 mg/dL. It's considered “high” if it's above 160 mg/dL.

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is the "bad cholesterol" in terms of its potential for harming the heart and brain. It is a major contributor to arterial plaque development. Levels of LDL cholesterol higher than 130 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) are linked to an increased risk for ischemic stroke.

The bottom line: "No one has shown that drinking more water or fluid in general to improve day-to-day hydration status does anything to lower cholesterol levels and decrease your risk for cardiovascular disease," Sandon says.

The fiber and potassium in bananas can help lower cholesterol and blood pressure. If you're a fan of bananas, your cholesterol levels will thank you. Like all fruits, bananas are a good source of fiber, especially soluble fiber. Eating more of this type of fiber has been found to help lower cholesterol.

Niacin, a B vitamin, has long been used to increase high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol — the "good" cholesterol that helps remove low-density lipoprotein (LDL), the "bad" cholesterol from your bloodstream.

They found that low levels of vitamin B12 were associated with higher levels of total cholesterol, LDL (bad) cholesterol, and triglycerides—even after adjusting for the effects that body mass index, abdominal fat, and total body fat percentage have on the body.

The improvements in total cholesterol and triglycerides were more pronounced in participants with baseline vitamin D deficiency. Conclusions: Vitamin D supplementation appeared to have a beneficial effect on reducing serum total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglyceride levels but not HDL cholesterol levels.

A review of controlled trials found that turmeric or its active component curcumin can lower total cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL (Nutrition Journal, Oct. 11, 2017).

For high cholesterol: 700 mg of turmeric extract twice daily for 3 months. For itchy skin: 500 mg of turmeric three times daily for 2 months.

There's little evidence that cinnamon can lower your cholesterol, so cinnamon isn't recommended to treat high cholesterol. Although some cholesterol-lowering effects have been seen in animal studies, there's little evidence that this applies to humans. Most of the trials have shown no effect on blood cholesterol.

Ginger. One 2014 study showed that ginger can lower your total cholesterol and triglycerides levels, while a study from 2008 showed that it can reduce LDL cholesterol levels and boost HDL cholesterol. You can add raw ginger to food, or take it as a supplement or powder.

A daily dose of ginger may help you battle your “bad” or LDL cholesterol levels. In a recent study, taking 5 grams of ginger a day for 3 months lowered people's LDL cholesterol an average of 30 points.

There is no set period in which cholesterol is guaranteed to drop. Cholesterol-lowering drugs usually produce a change in LDL within 6 to 8 weeks. It is possible for lifestyle changes to change cholesterol levels within weeks. However, it may take longer, usually about 3 months — sometimes more.

Lemon juice is known to enhance other flavors, and improve the absorption of key nutrients from your food. Now, it seems to also enhance the cholesterol reducing properties of other foods. We can think of it this way – it's lemon love.