Natural Remedies for High Cholesterol

Natural Remedies for High Cholesterol

Having high cholesterol levels may prelude the existence of several heart diseases. However, you can take control of lowering your levels with natural remedies. Here are just a few.

Artichoke Leaf Extract
Studies reveal that artichoke leaf extract can help lower an individual’s total cholesterol levels by as much as 18.5%. It can also lower bad cholesterol levels – LDL levels – by up to 22.9%. These results can be achieved by taking 1,800mg of artichoke leaf extract every day for up to 16 weeks. Its active compound known as cynarin (or cynarine) is believed to be responsible for increasing the production of bile in the liver and speeding up its flow from the gall bladder. These occurrences all contribute towards faster excretion of cholesterol from the body.

Olive Oil
Research reveals that those people who use olive oil daily are at a lower risk of developing cardiovascular problems and heart disease. Even consuming 2 tablespoons of olive oil every day for a week can help lessen the oxidation of bad cholesterol levels.

Cinnamon
Cinnamon is not only delicious, but it can be helpful for those wanting to lower high cholesterol levels. Taking half a teaspoon of cinnamon every day is enough to keep cholesterol levels low.
Cinnamon can also be a good replacement for sugar. You can try mixing it in your coffee or tea, or blending it in your morning cereal. Basically, you just have to sprinkle it on everything you can to achieve the heart healthy benefits.

Garlic
Anyone who loves natural remedies has probably been waiting to see if garlic is on the list, and yes, of course it is. Garlic can be taken raw, in powder form, or in supplements or capsules. Experts confirm that eating one clove of garlic every day can help lower cholesterol. Garlic has long been known as a great help for people who have high cholesterol levels. Garlic contains certain compounds that act as blood thinners, thereby reducing the risk of heart disease.

Alfalfa
The active compounds found in alfalfa leaves, such as saponins, have the ability to block cholesterol absorption and prevent atherosclerotic plaque formation. Both alfalfa leaves and sprouts are beneficial for lowering high cholesterol levels. An infusion of alfalfa leaves, boiled in one cup of water can be taken as a tea. To add a little flavor, add some lemon grass, honey or mint.

Oatmeal
Oatmeal is full of soluble fiber. When digested, this fiber becomes sticky and gluey, thereby allowing the cholesterol to stick to it as it passes through the digestive tract for faster excretion.

Broader Dietary Modifications

Diet naturally plays a major role in maintaining healthy cholesterol levels. As well as selecting the specific foods above, make broad-based selections of food types to improve your cholesterol balance.

Choose monounsaturated fats - Olives, avocados, canola oil, walnuts, almonds and peanuts are some examples of foods that contain monounsaturated fats.

Avoid trans fats - If you are a lover of baked goodies, now is the time to review your habits. Baked goods mostly contain trans fats that will not only increase your bad LDL cholesterol levels, they will also lower your good HDL cholesterol levels. You need good HDL cholesterol to keep your LDL under control!

Eat plenty of fish, fruits and veggies – Fish, especially oily varieties, is a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids which help improve your heart health. Veggies and fruits are rich with dietary fiber to help you get rid of excess cholesterol.

If you have been diagnosed with high levels of cholesterol, congratulations on looking for ways to lower it naturally. Relying on statins will likely cause more problems to your health, so it is important that you first exhaust all natural means of lowering your cholesterol levels.

Eric Dempsey
Master Sergeant, US Army Retired
MS, NASM Fitness Nutrition Specialist
Chaplain Paul Voorhees Ministry