Natural remedies for high cholesterol can assist in bringing the bodies serum cholesterol to a normal level, thus helping to avoid possible serious problems such as heart disease or other cholesterol related conditions.
Cholesterol is needed by the body for proper brain and nerve function, and is a necessary part of every cell structure.
It is manufactured in the liver and transported throughout the body through the bloodstream. However, if cholesterol levels are too high, it can form plaque that sticks to artery walls and may eventually lead to heart disease.
Low density lipoproteins (LDLs) are the main transporters of cholesterol in the bloodstream, and because they tend to encourage the buildup of plaque on the artery walls, they are referred to as bad cholesterol.
High density lipoproteins (HDLs) on the other hand carry unneeded cholesterol back to the liver where it is broken down and removed from the body, so it is referred to as good cholesterol.
When everything is operating as it should, this system remains in balance. However, when there is too much of the bad cholesterol, or if there is not enough of the good cholesterol to remove it from the body, plaque can begin to build up on the artery walls, eventually leading to other complications.
The National Cholesterol Education Program has establised the "safe" levels for total serum cholesterol to be 200 mg/deciliter of blood or below. 200 to 239 is classified as borderline, and anything 240 or higher is considered to be at high risk for heart disease or other cholesterol related problems.
The normal good cholesterol level for men is 45 to 50, and for women is 50 to 60. Anything below 35 is considered to be at high risk, even if your total cholesterol level is well below 200.
Many of the natural remedies for high cholesterol will come in the form of dietary changes, as diet has been shown to have a very significant effect on blood cholesterol levels.
Include the following foods in your diet, as they have all been shown to lower cholesterol: almonds, apples, bananas, carrots, cold water fish, dried beans, garlic, grapefruit, oats, olive oil, salmon, strawberries, and walnuts.
Be sure to include plenty of fiber in the form of fruits, vegetables and whole grains, as this form of fiber is very helpful in reducing serum cholesterol. Good sources are barley, beans, brown rice, fruits, glucomannan, guar gum, and oats. Oat bran and brown rice bran are the best foods for lowering cholesterol.
By following some of the natural remedies for high cholesterol which we have listed here, you should be able to decrease your serum cholesterol levels. However, the use of natural remedies for high cholesterol should not replace the advice and oversight of your health care provider.
Drink fresh juices, especially carrot, celery and beet juices. Carrot juice helps flush fat from the bile in the liver, thus reducing cholesterol.
Use only unrefined cold or expeller pressed oils. Olive oil is recommended.
Do not eat any nuts except raw, unsalted pecans, walnuts and almonds. Almonds contain high levels of the amino acid arginine, which one study found to cut cholesterol levels by 16 points over a 4 week period.
Reduce the amount of saturated fats and cholesterol in your diet. Saturated fats include all fats which come from animals, as well as coconut and palm kernel oils.
Avoid alcohol, cakes, candy, carbonated beverages, coffee, gravies, nondairy creamer, pies, processed or refined foods, refined carbohydrates, tea, tobacco, or white bread.
Get moderate exercise on a regular basis, but always check with your health care provider before beginning a new exercise program.
Studies have shown that large amounts of coffee can significantly elevate blood cholesterol levels, more than doubling the risk of heart disease.
Pure virgin olive oil appears to actually help reduce cholesterol.
This information is not intended to diagnose or treat any specific condition, nor is it intended to replace the advice of your healthcare professional.
Sources
Balch, Phyllis A., CNC. "Prescription for Nutritional Healing". Garden City, NY.: Avery Publishing Group, 2006
Ritchason, Jack, ND. "The Little Herb Encyclopedia". Pleasant Grove, UT.: Woodland Health Books, 1995
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