8 Alternative Medicine to Lower Bad Cholesterol & Fats
8 Alternative Medicine to Lower Bad Cholesterol & Fats
By: Arlene Gentallan
High "bad" cholesterol in the form of low density lipoprotein (LDL) can pose threat to your health. There are alternative natural ways to reduce your "bad" cholesterol level aside from taking "statins".
I'll share with you the best herbs proven to lower your cholesterol level. But first, how about an introduction about cholesterol.
"Good" and "Bad" cholesterol explained
Cholesterol don't dissolve in blood so they need lipoproteins to serve as a vehicle to be able to transport them to various areas of the body.
High-density lipoproteins (HDL) is known as the "good cholesterol", while low-density lipoproteins (LDL) is known as the "bad" cholesterol. The reason behind this is LDL contributes to atherosclerosis which is build-up of hard plaque in the inner wall of blood vessels leading to it's narrowing and poor blood circulation. On the other hand, HDL collects cholesterol from different areas of the body then transports them back to the liver.
What is cholesterol?
Cholesterol is lipid (which means it's insoluble in water but soluble in alcohol) that is fat substance. It is soft, white, odorless, and waxy.
Cholesterol is manufactured inside the body but can also be obtained from animal sources. Cholesterol is found in all cells of the body. They serve essential function for our survival, but like everything else, having to much is not good.
Did you know that cholesterol is different from fat? Here's 5 main difference between cholesterol and fat.
Cholesterol's Function
Cholesterol isn't completely bad. Did you know that cholesterol is found in every cell of the human body? Phospholipids comprises cell's plasma membrane which serves as a protective membrane. It serves a crucial role to our survival. Cholesterol is essential to make hormones (estrogen and testosterone), Vitamin D, bile (which digest foods we eat.)
Why is high cholesterol dangerous?
Having a high "bad" cholesterol such as LDH (low-density lipoproteins and triglycerides) puts you at grave risk. It can lead to gallstone formation, plaque build-up in the arterial walls (atherosclerosis) leading to it's narrowing and insufficient blood circulation that's a culprit of extremity pain, nape pain, headache, chest pain (angina). If left untreated may occlude heart or brain circulation which may lead to fatal heart attack or stroke.
If you suffering from other chronic disease like hypertension and diabetes, your risk of developing complication gets higher.
Natural Home Remedies
Hypercholesterolemia or high cholesterol level may be caused by several factors like over indulgence of fatty foods and sedentary lifestyle. It may also be an inevitable consequence of genetics (inherited.)
1. Coriander (Coriandrum sativum)
Coriander, also known as Chinese parsley is a traditional remedy to lower both cholesterol and blood sugar. Research have shown that intake of coriander decreases total cholesterol, LDL (bad cholesterol), while increasing HDL (good cholesterol.)
All part of coriander plant can be eaten although the most popularly used parts are it's leaves and seeds in culinary. Consumption of coriander leaves has also been shown to prevent platelet aggregation.
2. Onion & Garlic
Traditional kitchen companion onions and garlic also works as an alternative medicine to lower cholesterol and blood sugar levels. They can be use as an alternative medicine for hyperlipedemia and diabetes. Also, research has shown that onion and garlic are effective home remedies to reduce gallbladder stone. To maximize their potential, it is best to consume them raw.
3. Lemon, Orange, and Tangerine
Citrus peel have been studies as an alternative medicine to reduce blood and liver cholesterol levels without the side effects of conventional medicines. "Polymethoxylated flavones (PMF)" has been identified as the primary component responsible for lowering LDL (low-density lipoprotein) "bad" cholesterol.
4. Green Tea
Researches have been made to understand the efficacy of green tea as a home remedy to reduce cholesterol level. Studies have shown that it significantly reduces LDL "bad" cholesterol but has no significant effect in raising HDL "good" cholesterol and triglycerides. Green tea is a powerful antioxidant that has many health benefits.
5. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is made from fermented apples. It is rich in acetic acid which lowers total cholesterol and triacylglycerol levels. Apple cider vinegar also has beneficial effect to those with diabetes along with other health benefits. Before buying, read the label to ensure that it contains "the mother" which are protein strands packed with nutrients.
6. Oats and Barley
Oat ß-glucan, the soluble fiber content of oats and barley has been shown to decrease total cholesterol and LDL levels. Studies have shown that Oats and Barley have no significant effect in raising HDL and lowering triglycerides.
7. Omega-3 Fatty Acid
Omega-3 fatty acid reduces risk of cardiovascular diseases. It decreases triglyceride levels and reduces inflammation, however studies have shown no significant effect on LDL and HDL levels. Omega-3 is an essential nutrient the body can not make on it's own so we have to obtain it from our diet.
The three types of omega-3 fatty acids involved in human physiology are alpha linolenic acid (ALA) which is found in plant sources; eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) which are commonly found in animal sources.
Foods rich in omega-3 includes:
8. Honey
Honey is healthier than table sugar. Substituting table sugar with honey can lower cholesterol and triglycerides level.
Don't forget exercise!
Every health fitness initiative is not complete without exercise. Add at least 30 minutes exercise to your daily regimen. It pays a lot to your health.
Resources:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18831331
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3083808/
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18983715
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3193144/
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11990004
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22027055
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22547185
By: Arlene Gentallan
 |
| Tuna, orange, & honey can lower your cholesterol 8 Alternative Medicine to Lower Bad Cholesterol & Fats |
High "bad" cholesterol in the form of low density lipoprotein (LDL) can pose threat to your health. There are alternative natural ways to reduce your "bad" cholesterol level aside from taking "statins".
I'll share with you the best herbs proven to lower your cholesterol level. But first, how about an introduction about cholesterol.
"Good" and "Bad" cholesterol explained
Cholesterol don't dissolve in blood so they need lipoproteins to serve as a vehicle to be able to transport them to various areas of the body.
High-density lipoproteins (HDL) is known as the "good cholesterol", while low-density lipoproteins (LDL) is known as the "bad" cholesterol. The reason behind this is LDL contributes to atherosclerosis which is build-up of hard plaque in the inner wall of blood vessels leading to it's narrowing and poor blood circulation. On the other hand, HDL collects cholesterol from different areas of the body then transports them back to the liver.
What is cholesterol?
Cholesterol is lipid (which means it's insoluble in water but soluble in alcohol) that is fat substance. It is soft, white, odorless, and waxy.
Cholesterol is manufactured inside the body but can also be obtained from animal sources. Cholesterol is found in all cells of the body. They serve essential function for our survival, but like everything else, having to much is not good.
Did you know that cholesterol is different from fat? Here's 5 main difference between cholesterol and fat.
Cholesterol's Function
Cholesterol isn't completely bad. Did you know that cholesterol is found in every cell of the human body? Phospholipids comprises cell's plasma membrane which serves as a protective membrane. It serves a crucial role to our survival. Cholesterol is essential to make hormones (estrogen and testosterone), Vitamin D, bile (which digest foods we eat.)
Why is high cholesterol dangerous?
Having a high "bad" cholesterol such as LDH (low-density lipoproteins and triglycerides) puts you at grave risk. It can lead to gallstone formation, plaque build-up in the arterial walls (atherosclerosis) leading to it's narrowing and insufficient blood circulation that's a culprit of extremity pain, nape pain, headache, chest pain (angina). If left untreated may occlude heart or brain circulation which may lead to fatal heart attack or stroke.
If you suffering from other chronic disease like hypertension and diabetes, your risk of developing complication gets higher.
Natural Home Remedies
Hypercholesterolemia or high cholesterol level may be caused by several factors like over indulgence of fatty foods and sedentary lifestyle. It may also be an inevitable consequence of genetics (inherited.)
1. Coriander (Coriandrum sativum)
Coriander, also known as Chinese parsley is a traditional remedy to lower both cholesterol and blood sugar. Research have shown that intake of coriander decreases total cholesterol, LDL (bad cholesterol), while increasing HDL (good cholesterol.)
All part of coriander plant can be eaten although the most popularly used parts are it's leaves and seeds in culinary. Consumption of coriander leaves has also been shown to prevent platelet aggregation.
2. Onion & Garlic
Traditional kitchen companion onions and garlic also works as an alternative medicine to lower cholesterol and blood sugar levels. They can be use as an alternative medicine for hyperlipedemia and diabetes. Also, research has shown that onion and garlic are effective home remedies to reduce gallbladder stone. To maximize their potential, it is best to consume them raw.
3. Lemon, Orange, and Tangerine
Citrus peel have been studies as an alternative medicine to reduce blood and liver cholesterol levels without the side effects of conventional medicines. "Polymethoxylated flavones (PMF)" has been identified as the primary component responsible for lowering LDL (low-density lipoprotein) "bad" cholesterol.
4. Green Tea
Researches have been made to understand the efficacy of green tea as a home remedy to reduce cholesterol level. Studies have shown that it significantly reduces LDL "bad" cholesterol but has no significant effect in raising HDL "good" cholesterol and triglycerides. Green tea is a powerful antioxidant that has many health benefits.
5. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is made from fermented apples. It is rich in acetic acid which lowers total cholesterol and triacylglycerol levels. Apple cider vinegar also has beneficial effect to those with diabetes along with other health benefits. Before buying, read the label to ensure that it contains "the mother" which are protein strands packed with nutrients.
6. Oats and Barley
Oat ß-glucan, the soluble fiber content of oats and barley has been shown to decrease total cholesterol and LDL levels. Studies have shown that Oats and Barley have no significant effect in raising HDL and lowering triglycerides.
7. Omega-3 Fatty Acid
Omega-3 fatty acid reduces risk of cardiovascular diseases. It decreases triglyceride levels and reduces inflammation, however studies have shown no significant effect on LDL and HDL levels. Omega-3 is an essential nutrient the body can not make on it's own so we have to obtain it from our diet.
The three types of omega-3 fatty acids involved in human physiology are alpha linolenic acid (ALA) which is found in plant sources; eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) which are commonly found in animal sources.
Foods rich in omega-3 includes:
- Fish oil
- Herring
- Mackerel
- Salmon
- Sardines
- Tuna
- Oysters
- Achovies
- Flaxseed
- Chia seed
- Walnuts
- Nuts
- Soybeans
8. Honey
Honey is healthier than table sugar. Substituting table sugar with honey can lower cholesterol and triglycerides level.
Don't forget exercise!
Every health fitness initiative is not complete without exercise. Add at least 30 minutes exercise to your daily regimen. It pays a lot to your health.
Resources:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18831331
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3083808/
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18983715
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3193144/
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11990004
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22027055
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22547185
