Herb remedies are sometimes used to lower harmful cholesterol levels, otherwise known as LDL or "bad" cholesterol. If left uncontrolled, this form of cholesterol can damage your cardiovascular health and overall functioning. You can take control of your cholesterol by learning about its causes. Check with your doctor prior to beginning treatment with herbal remedies for high cholesterol as they are not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Garlic
Using garlic may reduce your harmful LDL cholesterol, total cholesterol and triglycerides, according to the Mayo Clinic. Garlic can keep your blood vessels elastic and healthy. Garlic helps to lower your serum cholesterol level while also raising your beneficial cholesterol, states Womenfitness.net. The herb contains anti-clotting properties that reduce your chances of developing plaque formation along your arterial walls. Get your garlic in capsule form as a supplement. Or, sprinkle some garlic powder on your food. Using fresh garlic in your dishes provides you with two benefits: increased taste and lower cholesterol.
Psyllium Seeds
Start consuming the herb psyllium seed. Consuming between 5 to 10g daily may lower your cholesterol by 9 percent, according to the Mayo Clinic. Gain the cholesterol-lowering effects by using the seed in capsule form, powdered form or by eating the seeds. Sprinkle the seeds into your morning cereal or make a drink out of the powdered form. Psyllium seed is commonly found in natural foods or health foods stores.
Turmeric
Turmeric is an herb typically found in your spice section. Many curry mixes commonly contain turmeric. This herb contains a cholesterol-lowering component known as curcumin. Curcumin serves two purposes. It can lower your LDL levels and also improve your blood circulation, states Herbal-supplements-guide.com.
Green Tea
Green tea is an herb that contains antioxidants which can benefit your heart health. Antioxidants help fight the free radicals found throughout your body. Free radicals may cause a variety of ill-health effects, including forming cholesterol plaque on your arterial walls. Consuming green tea can help remove this harmful plaque from your body. You will receive two benefits from using green tea. First, the tea can lower your harmful cholesterol level, states Herbal-supplements-guide.com. Second, your beneficial cholesterol level will increase by using green tea. Purchase green tea in supplement form or use the leaves in a beverage.
Red Yeast Rice
Red yeast rice is an herb that has been used for centuries in Chinese medicine. This herb contains monacolins, a naturally-occurring statin, states the Mayo Clinic. Monacolins contain lovastatin, which the pharmaceutical industry processes into cholesterol-lowering medications. The FDA does not regulate red yeast rice. This nonregulation may result in ingredient nonconformity. There is a dispute over whether the rice is a herbal remedy or dietary food supplement. Do not take red yeast rice if you are pregnant, breast feeding or taking cholesterol-lowering medications. Purchase red yeast rice in health food stores, natural foods sections of your grocery store or online. Be wary of products sold online, warns the FDA.
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