Cholesterol is a fatty substance made by the liver and is also found in food. It serves several purposes that are vital to the body, such as stiffening and stiffening cell walls. However, when there is too much in the body, it can lead to plaque build-up on the walls of the arteries, atherosclerosis, and heart disease, among other things.
Although high cholesterol can cause certain diseases, it is not considered a disease in itself. As is the case with many modern ailments, doctors are likely to prescribe medications for high cholesterol. Like other medications, these can have many dangerous side effects. However, there are many ways to lower cholesterol naturally without the use of medications. This article will discuss some natural remedies, general diet guidelines, and lifestyle habits that can lead to lowering cholesterol.
Alcohol and tobacco
First of all, smoking will lower your HDL (good) cholesterol level and increase your LDL (bad) cholesterol level, so it is highly recommended to quit smoking if you smoke. Inhaling secondhand smoke has the same negative effects on cholesterol as smoking, so it is best to avoid exposure to secondhand smoke. Also, limit your alcohol intake because too much alcohol can increase bad cholesterol over time.
Exercise
One way to increase HDL cholesterol levels and lower LDL cholesterol levels is to exercise. Exercise also burns calories and helps control weight. Running, walking, biking, and swimming are beneficial types of exercise. At least 30 minutes of exercise a day is recommended. It also helps to do little things like take the stairs instead of the elevator and not try to get to the parking spot closest to the entrance.
Diet
High cholesterol can be the direct result of a poor diet. If you eat a lot of fast food and junk food or other foods typically high in saturated fat and trans fatty acids, your cholesterol level is very likely too high. Foods high in these fats are worse than just foods high in cholesterol because fatty foods cause the body to make too much cholesterol. Saturated fat should make up less than 7 percent of your total calories, but it shouldn’t be completely eliminated. However, trans fatty acids are not natural and should never be consumed. Monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats are much healthier and can increase HDL levels and lower LDL levels. Olive oil, flaxseed oil, and fish are good sources of unsaturated fats.
A diet that includes whole grains and fresh fruits and vegetables will help regulate cholesterol. These foods help lower the level of LDL cholesterol in the body. They can also help control weight. Foods that contain plant sterols also help lower cholesterol by preventing its absorption in the intestine.
Free radicals
Free radicals are the particles that result from many chemical reactions in the body. These charged particles travel through the blood and bind to oppositely charged particles, to include LDL cholesterol, through the oxidation process. This process makes LDL more toxic and more likely to stick to your arteries. Over time, this can lead to clogged arteries and heart disease.
Grape juice
Antioxidants are compounds that neutralize free radicals. Grape juice is known to have high levels of antioxidants and therefore can help lower LDL cholesterol. Grape juice also increases HDL cholesterol and reduces inflammation that can lead to atherosclerosis.
Apples
Apples have also been found to have high levels of antioxidants. Apples contain a variety of phytochemicals, which are strong antioxidants. The phytochemical composition of apples varies greatly depending on the type of apple, and there are small changes in phytochemicals during fruit ripening. Storage appears to have little to no effect on apple phytochemicals, but processing can significantly decrease their effectiveness.
Red yeast rice
Red yeast rice has been used for over a thousand years by the Chinese to improve blood circulation and there have been no notable negative side effects. This rice contains several ingredients that can help control cholesterol levels, including monacin (especially Monacolin K), sterols, isoflavones, and monounsaturated fats. Red yeast rice results from the fermentation of rice in which red yeast has been cultivated. In China, red yeast rice has been found to reduce total cholesterol by 11-32%.
FDA regulation on lovastatin
In the United States, the FDA banned the sale of any food or supplement containing lovastatin, to include red yeast rice, arguing that this ingredient was in some prescription drugs and needed drug approval. As a result of this ban, red yeast rice is no longer available in the United States, forcing people to rely more on potentially dangerous prescription drugs to lower cholesterol. This is just one small example of how powerful drug companies control the American people. In this example, the FDA was helping protect the profits of drug companies by banning a product that the Chinese have used for more than a thousand years without noticeable problems.
Conclusions
By maintaining a proper diet and lifestyle, as well as the use of certain specific remedies, cholesterol can be naturally and safely kept under control. The medications will only lower cholesterol temporarily and can lead to potentially dangerous side effects. However, drug companies continually use their huge amounts of money to monitor information presented by doctors, the media, and even the FDA, thereby keeping people dependent on their drugs. Medications will only suppress symptoms, but you have the power to naturally eliminate the cause of those symptoms.
