Niva Shapira, a researcher from Tel Aviv University, recently published a study supporting the idea that hens fed a natural, healthy diet tend to lay eggs that are lower in omega-6s, which are fatty acids associated with high cholesterol.

Her report specified that a nutritious diet for chickens should contain plenty of grains, like wheat and barley, and lower amounts of sunflower seeds, corn and soy than are currently fed to many hens.

Shapira showed that eggs laid by healthier chickens tended to contain more omega-3s and less omega-6s, making them slightly better for one's cholesterol levels and overall cardiovascular health.

Of course, vitamin supplements can deliver even more omega-3s without entailing any cholesterol or fats consumption.

If not, buckle up. Scientists at the United Kingdom’s University of Warwick recently announced that MGmin-LDL cholesterol is "stickier" than typical LDL cholesterol, making this newly discovered form of cholesterol "ultra-bad."

MGmin-LDL cholesterol is formed when regular cholesterol is given an extra sugar group, a process called glycation. Laboratory tests showed that MGmin-LDL cholesterol is more likely to affect arterial walls, meaning that this ultra-bad cholesterol may be closely tied to cardiovascular health.

For individuals who are interested in supporting their circulatory health, dietary supplements containing omega-3 fatty acids may help maintain a healthy cardiovascular system.

Research published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry announced that laboratory rodents fed blueberry peels and the leftovers from blueberry processing tended to have healthier cholesterol levels in comparison to those given a diet without blueberries.

Hamsters fed blueberries exhibited significantly healthier cholesterol levels than those fed on the diet without blueberries, said a team at the Western Regional Research Center in Albany, Calif., which is the prime research branch of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

While scientists were unsure which of the fruit’s substances led to the dramatic improvement in circulatory health, they suggested that the fiber contained in the berries might have been involved.

Likewise, they noted, blueberries contain large amounts of polyphenols, a class of compounds sometimes added to dietary supplements, which support a balanced inflammatory response.

A similar study conducted earlier this year found that mice fed polyphenol-rich blueberries produced fewer fat cells.

A study presented at the annual meeting of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology found that mature women who consumed dried apples every day for a year experienced a 23 percent decrease in low-density lipoprotein, otherwise known as bad cholesterol.

The experiment, which was conducted by scientists at Florida State University, also determined that even though this diet contributed an extra 240 daily calories to the participants' eating regimens, those who ate apples did not gain weight.

Researchers concluded that the vitamins, minerals and antioxidants found in this form of fruit may support health and fitness as Americans age.

For those who dislike apples or have little access to them, vitamin supplements may be able to provide nutrients in place of the fruit.

In particular, her advice centered on the consumption of carbohydrates, which she said many people find difficult to completely avoid.

It is a common suggestion that people who have or are at risk for type 2 diabetes should not eat carbohydrates. However, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends that people with these conditions should ensure that between 45 and 65 percent of their calories come from carbs.

Dopart said that reading the dietary information printed on food packaging, eating low-carb alternatives like fresh produce and consuming more proteins and fats at breakfast may all reduce the risk of having high blood sugar.

Eating plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables can also help dieters lose weight, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Furthermore, eating a balanced diet and periodically checking one's blood glucose levels may also help individuals improve their cardiovascular health, Dopart told the news source.

The Mayo Clinic reports that unrefined, whole grains may be healthier than processed foods, since they have a higher fiber count and nutritional content.

Just one-fifth of a milligram (mg) of folic acid, also known as vitamin B9, appears to be enough to effectively lower the body's level of homocysteine, according to the report published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (AJCN).

Previous studies suggested that between 0.2 mg and 5 mg of folic acid administered each day could reduce homocysteine levels and potentially improve heart health.

The study in the AJCN found that doses of the vitamin higher than one-fifth mg may not eliminate any more of the amino acid.

Other researchers have suggested that reducing homocysteine levels may reduce the likelihood of heart attack and stroke.

In addition to helping the body process homocysteine, folic acid has a number of other health benefits, including reducing the risk of cancer in older adults and providing women who are pregnant with valuable nutrition for their growing babies.

Research conducted in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) study found that individuals who have higher levels of HDL are less likely to develop the form of cancer, and the more HDL the better.

Specifically, scientists determined that for each 16.6 milligram-per-deciliter increase in HDL, participants has a 22 percent lower chance of developing bowel cancer.

More than 140,000 Americans are diagnosed with colorectal cancer each year, according to the National Cancer Institute. Another 51,000 die of the disease in the same time period.

A 2000 study in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine associated omega-3 consumption with higher HDL levels. To ensure healthy levels of HDL, many experts recommend taking supplements that provide a daily dose of omega-3s. These supplements often contain fish oil, a rich source of the fatty acid.

Created by scientist John Gofman, Ph.D., at the United States Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory between 1954 and 1956, the cards detail the HDL levels of nearly 2,000 of the department's employees.

The cards were abandoned in the 1960s as Gofman went on to other work, but were rediscovered in 1988 by Berkeley National scientist Paul Williams, Ph.D., who spent the following decade tracking down almost every single person catalogued in the study and surveying them or their family about their heart health.

His results suggested that the presence of HDL significantly reduces the risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

Williams's results, which constitute the longest-ever study of HDL, appear in the journal Atherosclerosis.

Previous studies have suggested that eating foods rich in HDL may also lower the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders, as well as mitigating aterio- and atherosclerosis.

Previous reports have found that an estimated 80 percent of all deaths among people with diabetes are caused by heart disease. Among the different types of these illnesses, cardiomyopathy—which leads to heart muscle damage—is the leading heart-related cause of deaths among diabetics.

During the recent trial, groups of rats with diabetes were either given a diet that contained garlic or corn oil. The researchers then observed the two animal groups to see which oil led to better prevention of cardiomyopathy.

The team of investigators discovered that because garlic oil contained a high amount of antioxidants, it reduced the risk of cardiovascular complications in the rats that consumed it as opposed to the animals that were fed corn oil.

The authors of the report concluded that "garlic oil possesses significant potential for protecting hearts from diabetes-induced cardiomyopathy."

Individuals who wish to find other natural alternatives to treating diabetes and protecting themselves against heart disease can benefit from eating grapes, according to a study conducted at the University of Michigan Health System. 

Their study, published in the journal Circulation, stated that sodas and other beverages that contain high levels of sugar can contribute to unhealthy levels of cholesterol in the blood.

Teens reported consuming more than 830 grams of sugar per week, accounting for one fourth of their body's calorie count, according to the National Health and Nutrition Survey.

The Emory group found that teens between the ages of 12 and 18 who consume the most sugar – enough to provide 30 percent or more of their daily calorie requirement – have the lowest levels of "good" cholesterol and the highest levels of "bad" cholesterol.

The American Heart Association has reported that the risk of plaque buildup in the arteries begins in childhood.

Researchers also found that those who consumed high amounts of sugar experienced an increase in insulin resistance, a precursor to type 2 diabetes, a disorder in which the body can no longer process sugars.

They conclude that consuming sugar can dramatically change predicted health outcomes for youth.

The American Diabetes Association reports approximately 2 million pre-diabetic Americans are under age 20.