8 Best Ways to Reduce Cholesterol Naturally

Are you experiencing easy tiredness after walking few miles or doing some work? Then be careful that it might be cardiovascular disease. Do you know that more than 60% of people die because of heart problems every year?

Thinking what the culprit? It’s none other than cholesterol. Cholesterol is a waxy substance that found in the fats (lipids) in the blood. In general, the cholesterol is used to build healthy cells in the body and helps to maintain the cell membranes, convert the sunshine into vitamin D and perform other important functions in the body.

A rise in cholesterol levels is caused due to unhealthy lifestyle choices (poor nutritional diet + rich junk or saturated fat foods + less physical activity). Certain factors like smoking, aging, obesity, excessive alcoholic or carbonated drinking, genetics, certain underlying problems like high blood pressure, diabetes, liver or kidney problems, stress, etc. will increase the risk of developing this problem.

High cholesterol (or hypercholesterolemia) will result in any serious or even fatal health problems. A high-level of cholesterol will accumulate along the artery walls and thereby increase the risk of developing heart disease. The cholesterol deposits (or plaques) reduce the blood flow through arteries and results in many complications like brain or heart stroke, kidney problems, chest pain, etc.

Cholesterol is carried away through the blood that attached to proteins. The blood cholesterol levels should remain below 200 mg/dL and when it is 200 – 239 mg/dL then it is considered borderline high and if it is 240 or higher mg/dL then it is considered as high cholesterol.

The combination of protein and cholesterol is called a lipoprotein. The lipoprotein profile is the only test done to understand the cholesterol levels in terms of HDL, LDL, and VLDL & triglycerides.

High-density lipoprotein (HDL) is the good cholesterol that carries cholesterol to the liver for breaking and reprocessing. It is also used by the body to perform its functioning properly.

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is bad cholesterol that transports cholesterol particles throughout the body. It builds up along the inner walls of the arteries and thereby causes narrowing of the blood vessels.

Very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) contains triglycerides (a type of fat attached to protein in the blood) that causes blood vessel narrow by making LDL cholesterol larger in size. So, people who are taking medications to lower their cholesterol levels should take medications to lower their triglycerides first and thereby for cholesterol.

If you’re one among those lists of people suffering from high cholesterol, it’s time to take a special care of your health in order to clear many health issues. Don’t panic and rush to your doctor for diagnosis and treatment. There are many natural ways to lower your high cholesterol in a safe and effective manner.

Home Remedies for High Cholesterol:

Here are some best natural ways that help you a lot in reducing the high cholesterol levels. All you need is to follow them regularly.

Remedy – 1: (Coriander Seeds)

Coriander seeds lower the bad or LDL cholesterol levels and triglycerides to get rid of the health risk associated with high cholesterol. these seeds exhibit hypoglycemic effects on the body, which is used for managing diabetes.

• Pour 1 glass of water in a pan placed on the heat.
• Then add 2 tablespoons of coriander seeds to it and stir.
• Let it boil for about 15 – 20 minutes and remove it from the heat.
• Strain the mix and allow it to cool down for few minutes.
• Finally, drink this coriander water for 2 – 3 times daily to reduce your cholesterol level.
• Or simply mix sugar, cardamom, and milk to coriander water and drink it as coriander tea.

Note: Or replace coriander seeds with coriander seeds powder to grab its benefits.

Remedy – 2: (Basil and Margosa Leaves)

Basil has an antioxidant and hypolipidemic activity that helps a lot in lowering the cholesterol levels. this basil has the lipid lowering effect that increases the cholesterol absorption to prevent gaining cholesterol levels in the blood. Neem or Margosa leaves reduces the bad cholesterol levels in its alcoholic extracts.

• Mix equal quantities of fresh basil and neem leaves.
• Crush them finely to make it like a paste and then place this paste in a sieve.
• Press it gently to extract its juice and then add 1 glass of water to this juice.
• Stir well and drink this water on an empty stomach in the morning to get control over your cholesterol levels.
• Continue doing the same process for once daily to reduce the bad cholesterol in the blood.

Remedy – 3: (Onions)

Red onions are very effective in dealing with high cholesterol levels, as they not only reduce bad cholesterol but also raises the levels of good cholesterol for the proper functioning of the body and thereby lowers the risk of developing health problems.

• Chop an onion finely into pieces.
• Then add 1/4 teaspoon of pepper powder and chopped onion pieces in 1 cup of buttermilk.
• Stir well and consume it to get rid of the problem.
• Regular consumption will definitely help you to get control over your blood cholesterol.

Note:

• Also, mix 1 teaspoon each of onion juice and honey in a small bowl. Stir and drink it once daily to get rid of high cholesterol levels in your blood.
• Or include ginger, garlic other than onion in your diet to get relief from the problem.

Remedy – 4: (Oatmeal)

Oats are full of soluble fiber-rich food that reduces the absorption of cholesterol in the blood and body, which in turn helps to lower the bad cholesterol levels.

• Take 1 ½ cups of cooked oatmeal (or 1 cup of oat bran) in a bowl and add finely chopped fruits (apple, strawberries, banana, berries) and nuts (almonds, walnuts, hazel nuts).
• Stir and consume these oats to reduce your cholesterol levels.
• Daily intake will definitely add an advantage of not only lowering your cholesterol levels but also lowers your risk of getting many health issues.

Remedy – 5: (Indian Gooseberry)

Indian gooseberry (or amla) helps to promote the lipid concentration reduction in the serum and thereby reduces your cholesterol levels. it exhibits anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-atherogenic and hypolipidemic effects that lower your high cholesterol levels.

• Add 1 teaspoon of amla powder in 1 glass of warm water.
• Stir well and drink this amla water in the morning on an empty stomach.
• Repeat the intake of this amla water regularly to keep the cholesterol levels less and perfect.

Remedy – 6: (Turmeric)

Turmeric lowers blood cholesterol (both LDL & triglycerides) with its rich content of curcumin. This compound communicates to liver cell genes to increase the production of messenger proteins and thereby increases the production of LDL receptors in the liver.

• Mix 3/4 teaspoon of turmeric powder to 2 tablespoons of cooked and mashed eggplant.
• Stir well and add 1 ½ tablespoon of boiling water and stir to make a fine paste.
• Then apply this paste on a whole wheat bread and spread it evenly on the bread slice.
• Consume this bread piece after having a heavy fat meal.
• Do it regularly for best and effective results.

Note: Or simply include turmeric in your daily cooking (or) supplements to get clear this LDL cholesterol.

Remedy – 7: (Watermelon Seeds)

The lycopene is a carotenoid pigment present in watermelon seeds that helps you a lot in reducing the cholesterol levels. it prevents the heart diseases, clogged arteries and boosts up the health boosting properties. So, consume a watermelon fruit or its seeds to lower LDL and to have healthy blood flow.

• Take some watermelon seeds and dry them thoroughly in the sun for few hours.
• Then dry roast these seeds and crush it properly by using a grinder into a fine powder.
• Add 1 teaspoon of this watermelon seed powder to 1 glass of water.
• Stir and drink it directly to cut down your high cholesterol levels in the body.
• Continue doing it once daily to get rid of the problem.

Remedy – 8: (Diet)

A healthy and well-balanced diet represents healthy mind and body. Here we are providing you some diet tips which guide you in maintaining proper cholesterol levels.

1. Omega – 3 Fatty Acids:

It lowers LDL and triglycerides levels in the body to reduce heart or other health problems. Fish is the best source of omega – 3 fatty acids but make sure that not to add saturated fat while cooking, as it this won’t change the LDL levels.

Salmon, Herring, Mackerel, Lake trout, Bluefish, Sardines, Albacore Tuna, Halibut or fish oil supplements (or) Walnuts, Canola, Soybeans, Flaxseeds, etc. are some best source of omega – 3 fatty acids.

2. Fiber Rich Foods:

Foods that are enriched with fiber will bind with the intestinal bile acids and thereby clears the cholesterol out of the body. In a study, it is stated that the intake of 10 – 15 grams of soluble fiber per day will help to lower your LDL levels up to 10% of the total level.

Dried beans, barley, apples, pears, oatmeal, prunes, beans (black, pinto & kidney), brown rice, grapefruits, whole grains, etc. are some best source of fiber and low in calories, saturated fats, and cholesterol.

3. Saturated & Trans Fats:

Saturated and trans fats increase dietary cholesterol and thereby raises LDL and triglycerides in the blood. In general, we should not exceed more than 7 – 10% of daily calories from the saturated fats. So, check the ingredient labels before purchase or consume. Remember there are some products labeled as trans fat-free but do you know that 0.5 gms of trans fat contained in each serving.

Also, make sure that if you found any label as trans fat-free then check whether partially hydrogenated oil (contains trans fat)  is there in that ingredients list. Butter, meat, full-fat dairy products, lard, vegetable oil, margarine, commercially baked cookies, crackers, cakes, and snacks, etc. are high in saturated and trans fats.

Prefer to use healthier fats like polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats rather than saturated fats to get control over your cholesterol levels and to maintain a healthy body.

4. Monounsaturated & Polyunsaturated Fats:

Monounsaturated fats lower the LDL cholesterol and raise HDL cholesterol in the blood to reduce the cholesterol levels in the body. So, shift to healthy fats like using olive oil, avocados, nuts, peanut oil, canola oil, etc.

Polyunsaturated fats reduce high levels of cholesterol and keep the blood vessels healthy. A handful of nuts which converts good fat into good HDL cholesterol is essential to grab this healthy fat during the day. So, consume some raw nuts like almonds, pine nuts, pecans, walnuts, hazel nuts, peanuts, pistachio nuts, etc. to get rid of high cholesterol.

Tips and Precautions:

1. The LDL or bad cholesterol will be reduced if you lose your excess weight. Exercise or physical strain is the best ways to reduces your LDL and enhance HDL to keep the proper functioning of your heart and other body parts. So, choose to walk, run, jog, swim, play, dance, aerobics or yoga to reduce your cholesterol levels.
2. Green tea is another effective cholesterol lowering agent, which you have to include it as your daily beverages by replacing your sodas, tea, coffee or carbonated beverages with this green tea. So, drink 2 – 3 cups of green tea daily to get rid of cholesterol and include black tea to decrease the blood lipids.
3. Drink plenty of water and other healthy liquids to flush out the toxins and thereby to lower the bad cholesterol levels.
4. The intake of apple cider vinegar (ACV) water by mixing 1 teaspoon of ACV In 1 glass of lukewarm water will help to lower the total cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
5. The rich source of vitamin C, folate and flavonoids in orange juice helps a lot in reducing the blood cholesterol levels naturally. So, drink 2 glasses of this plant sterol contained orange juice daily to reduce your cholesterol levels. also, include other vitamin C rich foods in your diet.
6. Take a note on the food items which you’re consuming will give you an idea of how much cholesterol you’re taking into the body and in what form. So that, you can plan your exercises to clear these deposits without storing as cholesterol in the blood and body.
7. People with 30 or greater BMI (body mass index) are considered at the risk of high cholesterol.
8. Boiling and streaming are preferred best ways of cooking foods, as they don’t require any additional fat for cooking.

Follow these natural ways to get rid of high cholesterol. do you know any other successful natural remedies to get complete control over cholesterol levels? then share it with us in the below comments box.