Formulating a viable diet for high cholesterol is crucial for today's cosmopolitan societies. High cholesterol levels are present in 7 out of every 10 people over the age of 45. This means that a vast majority of our older adults are at high risk to have cardiovascular diseases such as heart attacks, angina and stroke. This alarming fact induced the National Cholesterol Education Program and American Heart Association in 2001 to release diet guidelines - the Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes (TLC) Diet - for people afflicted with high cholesterol and who were at high risk for heart disease.

Similarly, one private group came up with the Smart Heart diet, which lists foods, and supplements that are deemed heart healthy, and reveals the five best foods for lowering cholesterol. Like the recommended diets for other ailments, the prescribed diet for high cholesterol is essentially a high-fiber (both soluble and insoluble), low-fat diet that strives to achieve the optimal balance of macronutrients (carbohydrates, protein, fats) and micronutrients (vitamins and minerals).

For instance, the TLC diet for high cholesterol recommends a total fat content of just about 25 percent of the total daily calorie intake, carbohydrates making up 60 percent and protein comprising about 15 percent. In addition, it stipulates about 2 grams of food fortified with plant sterols and some 10 to 25 grams of soluble fiber such as psyllium. In actual food, this is equivalent to about 5 ounces a day of lean meat, fish or other alternatives; 2 whole eggs; 2-3 servings of low-fat (1%) dairy products; 6-8 teaspoons of fats and oils; 6 servings of grains; 3-5 servings of vegetables and 2-4 servings of fruits.

On the other hand, the Smart Heart diet for high cholesterol identifies oats as high in soluble fiber, which can lower bad LDL cholesterol; fish as a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, which decreases bad cholesterol and raises good RDL cholesterol; nuts, which are rich in fiber, antioxidants and phytonutrients as well as in the monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats known to reduce LDL cholesterol; and plants stanols or sterols and soy beans.