A cholesterol-lowering vaccine is being developed in Paris, France and is said to have worked on mice, according to researchers. The vaccine, called AT04A, reduced cholesterol levels in mice by half, after feeding them a fatty diet similar to the high-cholesterol intake of a Western-style diet.

cholesterol-4 — *Cycling is a good way to keep a healthy heart.*

This is good news for those who have a higher level of cholesterol in their system. For a long time, statins and niacin have been the only drugs effective enough to bring down bad low-density lipoproteins (LDL). With the arrival of the AT04A, it will be easier for people to be treated to a long-lasting therapy. After the initial vaccine, they will only need annual boosters for maintenance.

Prevention is still better than cure, but while we’re waiting for the vaccine to successfully translate to humans, we suggest these natural ways on how you can maintain a healthy cholesterol level.

cholesterol-1 — *Avocado may be a fatty fruit, but it’s actually loaded with beta-sitosterol, a plant-based fat that reduces the amount of cholesterol absorbed from food.*

Be conscious of your food choices

Rolled oats, red wine, wild salmon, nuts, spinach, and avocado can lower your cholesterol. Incorporating these foods into your diet can make you a healthier and happier person overall. Adapting a low-fat diet also helps, as it can already lower your cholesterol by 20 percent. Countries that eat a low-fat diet such as Japan and some parts of the Caribbean have lower levels of heart attack and stroke.

Exercise

No matter your age, physical activity is an important element in cultivating a healthy lifestyle. Simple activities like jogging or cycling are a good place to start. This might take more effort than taking pills, but exercising regularly is a great way to increase high-density lipoproteins (HDL) thus accelerating the process of lowering your cholesterol.