Summer pleasures that lower cholesterol

Great news: Research reveals that the very things you enjoy most about summer improve your lipid profile, raising your 'good' HDL cholesterol while lowering both 'bad' LDL cholesterol and arteryclogging blood fats known as triglycerides. And it couldn't be easier!

- Ann Green

Lower LDL levels by acting like a kid

Whether you blow bubbles with your grandkids or bob around in the pool, you'll lower your LDL while enjoying carefree fun. Movement burns off bad cholesterol before it can build up in the bloodstream. The payoff: Australian scientists found that people who get 15 to 20 minutes of any type of movement daily had LDL levels 25% lower than those who were less active. Those are results on par with low-dose statins.