Natural Remedies for High Cholesterol

On this page you will find a list of natural remedies for high cholesterol which includes cholesterol lowering herbs and foods to help lower cholesterol.

What is cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a fat or also known as lipid and it looks like a soft waxy substance. Some of its roles include forming the outer coating of cells or cell membranes, assisting in the digestion of food in the intestine and producing vitamin D and hormones such as estrogen and testosterone.

Cholesterol is found in the blood but doesn't mix with the blood because it is oil-based while blood is water-based. Because cholesterol doesn't dissolve in the blood, it is transported through the bloodstream to and from the cells in the body by carriers called lipoproteins. One of them is called low density lipoprotein or LDL and the other is high density lipoprotein of HDL. There is another one that is called very low density lipoprotein or VLDL.

What is LDL cholesterol? What is HDL cholesterol?

LDL cholesterol is known as the bad cholesterol and it is the one that builds up deposits in the wall of the arteries. VLDL cholesterol contains the most triglycerides which is a type of fat that will make the cholesterol large and narrow the blood vessels. Alcohol, excess calories and sugar are some of the substances that the body convert into triglycerides and stored in fat cells. HDL cholesterol is the good cholesterol. It transports excess cholesterol and returns it to the liver.

What causes high cholesterol and what are the risks and effects of high cholesterol?

While cholesterol is made from other cells in the body, most of it is produced in the liver. It also enters the body through foods that contain cholesterol such as dairy products, eggs and meat.

A condition called hypercholesterolemia happens when there is high levels or cholesterol in the blood. When this happens, fatty deposits will develop in the blood vessels and will block the smooth flow of blood through the arteries and the heart will not receive sufficient oxygen-rich blood. This condition can cause coronary heart disease and lead to a heart attack. And when there is a decrease in blood flow to the brain, it can cause stroke.

The main causes of high cholesterol and low HDL cholesterol include eating foods that are high in saturated fat or foods high in cholesterol combined with living an inactive or sedentary lifestyle, with little or no exercise. And this is one of the reasons why high cholesterol is more common in people who are overweight or obese.

Another factor that contributes to the big difference in cholesterol ratio includes genetic makeup in which the liver produces too much cholesterol or because the body isn't able to efficiently remove the LDL cholesterol from the blood. Certain diseases such as diabetes may also cause high cholesterol. Age is also a factor because as a person gets older, the cholesterol levels rise. This is especially common among women after menopause.

What are the symptoms of high cholesterol?

Just like hypertension, hypercholesterolemia is asymptomatic. It doesn't show any symptoms and the only way to find out your cholesterol levels is to do a blood test. There are two ways of testing the cholesterol levels. One of them is the non-fasting cholesterol test which will show your total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol. You have to fast or not eat any foods for at least 8 hrs prior to taking a fasting test and the result will show your LDL, HDL, triglycerides and total cholesterol levels.

Less than 200 total cholesterol levels are good while a level of 200 to 239 is borderline high. A total cholesterol level of 240 and above is considered high.

This list of natural remedies for high cholesterol may work for some people but not everyone. Do check with your doctor first especially if you are on prescription medication, have any type of illness, are pregnant or breast feeding.

Natural remedies for high cholesterol No. 1 - Herbs for lowering cholesterol

1. Reports indicate that herbs that contain natural source of octacosanol may lower plasma cholesterol in humans and treat hardening of the arteries or atherosclerosis. Octacosanol is found in herbs such as alfalfa and plants such as sugar cane, spinach and rice bran. It is available highest in wheat germ. Octacosanol has also shown to increase oxygen utilization during exercise and as a remedy for fatigue. It also has antiviral activities and is used as a remedy for herpes.
   
   
   
2. One of the natural remedies for high cholesterol is aloe vera. Two controlled studies conducted at a Thailand university found that aloe vera was able to reduce blood sugar and blood triglycerides and may reduce the risk of atherosclerotic heart disease.
   
   
   
3. Black seed or black cumin seed contains more than a hundred natural plant chemicals. Among them are oleic acid, linoleic acid, palmitic acid and stearic acid. Oleic acid is known to raise the good cholesterol HDL and lower the bad cholesterol LDL level. Black cumin also contains beta sterol and it may help maintain normal cholesterol levels.
   
   
   
4. Red clover contains beta sitosterol or phytosterols. Research found that it is able to interfere with the absorption of cholesterol and improve the HDL and LDL ratio as well as triglycerides. Other herbs that contain beta sitosterol and used as natural remedies for high cholesterol are saw palmetto and black cumin seeds. Other plant sources that can act as natural remedies for cholesterol are avocado, cashew nuts, peanuts, pecans, pumpkin seeds, soy and wheat germ.
   
   
   
5. Fenugreek may help lower bad cholesterol level. This herb contains choline which is a nutrient that assists in the breaking down of fats during metabolism and saponins which help in protecting against cancers and also lower cholesterol levels.
   
   
   
6. Flaxseed is rich in alpha linolenic acid or ALA which is an omega-3 fatty acid. A study from Iowa State University's Nutrition and Wellness Research Center reported that taking 3 tablespoons of flaxseed daily can help decrease cholesterol in men.
   
   
   
7. Though the results of several studies were conflicting, garlic is one of the most popular cholesterol lowering herbs. It has shown to support the circulatory system and has a positive on cholesterol.

Other herbs that may help as natural remedies for high cholesterol are cat's claw, chrysanthemum, evening primrose, grapeseed extract, guggul, green tea extract, ginseng, ginger, milk thistle, olive leaf, stinging nettles, sweetleaf or stevia and white tea.

Natural remedies for high cholesterol No. 2 - Foods to avoid high cholesterol

There is a very close relationship between cholesterol and diet. If you wish to prevent high cholesterol, maintain normal cholesterol level or lower LDL cholesterol, avoid trans fats in your diet. Examples of trans fats are baked foods, snack chips, fast foods and margarines. You should also avoid foods that contain saturated fats such as meat, full cream dairy products and some oils.

Some of the best foods to lower cholesterol

Dietary fiber is known to support healthy cholesterol levels and weight loss. Some of the natural sources are psyllium husks, rice bran and whole grains. Examples of cholesterol lowering foods that are rich in dietary fiber are apples, artichokes, almonds, beans, brown rice, figs, oat meal, prunes, sweet potatoes, peas, pumpkin seeds, spinach and walnuts.

If you diet is high in carbohydrates and you eat more that you burn, the excess is converted into triglycerides. You should then include foods that are high in omega-3 fatty acids because they help reduce the triglycerides and help maintain good cholesterol levels. Some examples of foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids are dark green leafy vegetables such as broccoli and spinach, flaxseeds, krill oil, fish oil, cod, mackerel, salmon, tuna and walnuts.

Eating more fresh fruits and vegetables and drinking fresh fruit and vegetable juices will also help in maintaining healthy cholesterol levels. Some examples of fruits are acai, avocado, banana, blueberry, elderberry, guava, pomegranate, prune, passion fruit and papaya.

Natural remedies for high cholesterol No. 3 - Dietary supplements

Another one of the natural remedies for high cholesterol is to increase intake of foods containing niacin, nicotinic acid or vitamin B3 or take dietary supplements. Foods that contain niacin include button mushroom, beef liver, chicken, nuts, portobello mushroom, salmon and tuna. The National Cholesterol Education Program recommends niacin as studies indicate that it can raise HDL levels up to 30 percent.

Vitamin B5 or pantothenic acid also has cholesterol lowering effect. Vitamin B5 is found in avocado, chicken liver, egg yolk, sunflower seeds, shitake mushroom and wheat bran. Other dietary supplements that are beneficial include choline, lecithin and vitamin C. Natural food sources of choline and lecithin that you can take as natural remedies for high cholesterol are barley, egg yolks, fish, legumes, peanuts, soybeans and whole grains.

Apple cider vinegar, chlorophyll and chlorella, kelp, red yeast rice and royal jelly dietary supplements are also beneficial for healthy cholesterol levels.

Natural remedies for high cholesterol No. 4 - Lifestyle changes

All the natural remedies for high cholesterol mentioned above won't help much in lowering LDL cholesterol if you don't make some lifestyle changes.

1. If you are overweighed or obese, you must lose the excess fat. You must eat less especially foods high in cholesterol and burn more. According to most experts, a 5 to 10 pound weight loss will reduce your triglyceride levels and increase HDL level.
   
   
   
2. Doing regular exercise is important not only in maintaining healthy cholesterol level but for your overall health and fitness. Regular aerobic exercise such as brisk walking or swimming 30 minutes a day everyday or every alternate day will help you burn calories and fat especially if you include strength training exercises.
   
   
   
3. Reduce consumption of alcohol because alcohol doesn't help in lowering LDL cholesterol and it will also damage the liver and heart muscles which then can lead to increase in triglycerides.
   
   
   
4. Stress is bad for the health and can cause many undesirable conditions and illness. Some studies found that it also contributes to raising blood cholesterol levels. Find out remedies for stress by clicking on the link.
   
   
   
5. Quit smoking because it is another factor that can lower good cholesterol levels. Smoking also increases your risk of lung cancer.

Back to Remedies for Various Conditions and Diseases

Back from Natural Remedies for High Cholesterol to Various Home Remedies