The report states that men whose cholesterol was under 200 had less than half the risk of developing high-grade prostate tumors compared to men with high cholesterol. This information comes from about 6,000 men who participated in a federal cancer prevention study.

While having high cholesterol is typically a consequence of aging, young people are not in the clear either. Luckily there are preventive measures that anyone can do to help lower their cholesterol levels.

In fact, with simple lifestyle modifications — and, if necessary, drug therapy — people often see significant reductions in cholesterol within six weeks.

There are four basic ways to help maintain a healthy cholesterol level:

1. Eat a Healthy Diet- One of the first things to do when trying to lower cholesterol is to take in less saturated fat and eat more smart fats. Try substituting canola oil or olive oil for vegetable oil, butter, margarine and substitute meat for fish. Fruits and vegetables, including whole grains, are good sources of heart-healthy antioxidants but also cholesterol-lowering dietary fiber.

2. Exercise- In addition to lowering LDL or bad cholesterol, regular physical activity can raise HDL or good cholesterol by up to 10%. Even more benefits can be acquired with moderate exercise. Try getting a pedometer and aim for 10,000 steps a day. And try to at least fit in a regimen of brisk walking at least five days a week.

3. Quit Smoking- Smoking lowers levels of HDL or good cholesterol and is a major risk factor for heart disease. So if you haven’t already, try to stop this unhealthy habit.

4. Consider Medication- According to WebMD lifestyle modifications are important, but the benefits of medication, when appropriate, should also be considered. Several types of cholesterol-lowering medication are available, including niacin, bile acid resins, and fibrates. But statins are the treatment of choice for most individuals and can lower LDL cholesterol by 20% to 50%.

Some people will need to implement only one of these, while others may require a combination of these tips to help regulate their cholesterol.

The report states that men whose cholesterol was under 200 had less than half the risk of developing high-grade prostate tumors compared to men with high cholesterol. While having high cholesterol is typically a consequence of aging, young people are not in the clear either. Luckily there are preventive measures that anyone can do to help lower their cholesterol levels.

Here are four basic ways to maintain a healthy cholesterol level:

• Eat a healthy diet- According to MSNBC.com a healthy diet for lowering cholesterol should include cutting down on saturated fat and high-cholesterol foods. Make sure to include plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grains including soluble fiber. Avoid full-fat dairy products so stick to skim milk, lower fat cheese and trans-fat free spreads. And eat lean proteins such as fish, skinless chicken and lean meats and avoid marbled meats and bacon.

• Exercise- Losing weight can help lower cholesterol by increasing HDL (healthy cholesterol) and lower LDL (bad cholesterol). Thirty minutes a day can have healthy benefits.

• Lose weight- Research has shown that losing just 20 pounds can reduce LDL cholesterol by 5 to 8 percent. By becoming more physically active you can help improve cholesterol as well as triglycerides, and blood pressure.

Some people will need to implement only one of these, while others will require a combination of these tips to help regulate their cholesterol.