Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that is found in all cells of the body. Your body needs some cholesterol to work the right way. Your body makes all the cholesterol it needs. Cholesterol is also found in some of the foods you eat. Your body uses cholesterol to make hormones, vitamin D, and substances that help you digest foods. TLC is a set of lifestyle changes you can make to help lower your LDL cholesterol. The main parts of TLC are: The TLC Diet, which recommends: Limiting the amount of saturated fat and cholesterol you eat. Eating only enough calories to achieve or maintain a healthy weight. Increasing the soluble fiber in your diet. For example, oatmeal, kidney beans, and apples are good sources of soluble fiber. Adding cholesterol-lowering food, such as margarines that contain plant sterol or stanol esters that lower cholesterol for some people. Weight management: Losing weight if you are overweight can help lower LDL. Weight management is especially important for those with a group of risk factors that includes high triglyceride and/or low HDL levels and being overweight with a large waist measurement (more than 40 inches for men and more than 35 inches for women). Physical activity: Regular physical activity is recommended for everyone. It can help raise HDL levels and lower LDL levels, and is especially important for those with high triglyceride and/or low HDL levels who are overweight with a large waist measurement