Despite all the warnings, why do people continue to ignore cholesterol? In most cases, it seems as though people possess the "it can't happen to me" mentality. That is of course, until something drastic happens that forces them to take cholesterol quite seriously.

Unfortunately, an individual's genes will have a say in their cholesterol. While there isn't anything that they can do about this, changes to their diet can make significant strides in the fight against high cholesterol.

Without question, changes to your diet can be your biggest ally in the fight against cholesterol. What foods should you avoid? This one is simple and you know the answer:

• Avoid that mouth-watering slice of pizza with grease saturating through the box
• Avoid eating greasy Buffalo wings seven days a week
• Avoid overusing butter on toast

While there's no denying that these foods are tempting, they can also be harmful in the long run.

Now that we've established what foods to avoid, let's take a look at the many foods that can enhance one's battle against cholesterol. Bet you didn't thing garlic was good for your cholesterol? Well it is. Add garlic to pasta, soups, and vegetables and you'll not only be jazzing up your food, but you'll also be taking a step in the right direction in your monumental battle. Soy foods are also recommended, as are beans and soups. Rice is another good one for lowering cholesterol. Just be sure not to add a pound of butter to your rice!

We said to stay away from butter and we mean it! Substitute butter with margarine. Along those same lines, substitute olive oil for butter when cooking. Though these are just subtle changes, they'll prove to be big ones over the years.

While we can't deny the tastiness of meats and poultry, the too can be a deterrent. Meats feature high levels of saturated fats, a big no-no in the world of cholesterol. Focus meals on vegetables rather than meats and you'll be taking another big step forward.

While diet is the bulk of the battle, don't forget about exercise. Exercise routines will keep you physically fit and protect you in the fight against high cholesterol. Walking, running, and aerobics are among the many activities that will increase your fitness level.