Natural Treatments for High Cholesterol
Natural treatments for high cholesterol include exercising more and switching to a healthier diet. The food we eat is the second biggest factor contributing to the level of cholesterol in the body (the liver is the first) so improving your eating habits can help reduce high cholesterol levels. Increasing the level of fiber in your diet and cutting out fat has been shown to be as effective as in lowering your cholesterol level as taking drugs such as statins.
Fiber will also reduce cholesterol by breaking it down in the bloodstream, stopping it forming on the artery walls. Good sources of fiber are bread, oats, fruit, pasta and vegetables.
Trans fats in particular can have a big influence on your cholesterol levels as they increase the low-density lipoprotein and are found in many food products, such as butter and margarine, cookies, cakes and pastries, potato chips and crackers. Any food that have hydrogenated oils in them will contain trans fats as well.
You should aim to limit yourself to 300mg of cholesterol per day and keep saturated fats below seven per cent of your total daily intake of calories. Saturated fats which clog up your arteries are found in red meat so try to introduce substitutes into your diet such as chicken and turkey or fish such as tuna, cod, halibut, salmon and mackerel which are high in omega-3 fatty acids that protect against heart disease.
One of the most effective natural treatments for high cholesterol is simply to lose weight, again by exercising more, eating a healthier diet or a combination of the two if necessary.
You should also try to stop smoking and cut down your drinking as both alcohol and tobacco have an impact on your cholesterol level.
Published by Scott Kessman
Scott Michael Kessman is a freelance writer and also the author of The Tales of Tanglewood YA fantasy series. The novels meld together Irish & Celtic mythology with modern-day folklore, and are enjoyed by al... View profile
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