The South Beach Diet — which encourages eating nutrient-dense fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, and fiber-rich whole grains, as well as getting exercise — was created by Dr. Arthur Agatston, preventive cardiologist. This doctor-designed plan goes beyond helping you lose weight. More important, the South Beach Diet lifestyle will improve your health; among other things, it will lower your cholesterol, thereby reducing your risk of heart disease. Fortunately, when it comes to improving your cholesterol levels, there are many steps you can take. Here are the top six:

1. Limit saturated fat. Saturated fat from foods such as full-fat dairy products and fatty cuts of red meat can cause your LDL ("bad") cholesterol to rise even more than cholesterol from foods that are lower in saturated fat. In fact, eating a diet high in saturated fat may actually raise your cholesterol levels more than eating a diet high in cholesterol. By adopting a low-saturated-fat lifestyle like the South Beach Diet, you've taken your first step toward improving cholesterol levels.
2. Avoid trans fats. Trans fats, or partially hydrogenated oils (check the list of ingredients), may be even more damaging to cholesterol levels than saturated fats because they raise your LDL cholesterol while lowering HDL ("good") cholesterol. Studies have shown that trans fats may also increase the risk of cancer. The South Beach Diet excludes foods like stick margarine, baked goods, and processed snacks, which may contain trans fats.
3. Maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight also causes an increase in cholesterol. The good news is that for most people, losing weight has a very favorable effect on cholesterol levels — it lowers LDL while raising HDL.
4. Exercise regularly. A mere 20 minutes of exercise that incorporates interval training can help lower LDL levels and raise HDL levels. When combined with a healthy eating plan, exercise can help further your weight loss, which will lower cholesterol levels even more. Don't worry if you don't have time to complete 20 minutes of exercise in one session. Dr. Agatston recommends breaking up your exercise throughout the day if that is how you can fit it in. The important thing is to be consistent and do activities you enjoy. And remember that when it comes to exercise, some is always better than none.
5. Quit smoking. In addition to being a major risk factor for heart disease and cancer, cigarette smoking also contributes to low HDL levels. If you smoke, quitting will raise HDL levels and lower your risk of heart disease almost as soon as you quit!
6. Seek medical help. If none of the above tactics help lower your cholesterol, or if you have a family history of high cholesterol or heart disease, it may be necessary to seek medical help in the form of cholesterol-lowering drugs. Consult your family physician to find the best course of action.