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.
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.
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.
Note: Or replace coriander seeds with coriander seeds powder to grab its benefits.
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.
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.
Note:
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.
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.
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.
Note: Or simply include turmeric in your daily cooking (or) supplements to get clear this LDL cholesterol.
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.
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.
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.