Ginger has been used to treat a variety of medical conditions, particularly gastrointestinal problems, for over 2,000 years, particularly in Arabic, Asian and Indian cultures. In addition to helping alleviate nausea, vomiting and inflammation, ginger can also help lower blood cholesterol levels and prevent clotting, which can in turn protect your blood vessels from blockages. Talk to your doctor before adding ginger to your daily regimen, particularly if you suffer from gallstones, take a blood-thinning medication or take other drugs or supplements. While ginger can help lower your cholesterol, it is not a substitute for your doctor's recommended treatment plan. Cholesterol levels do not drop in everyone who takes ginger.
Step 1
Take 1 g of ginger in capsule form three times per day--in the morning, around midday and in the evening or before you go to bed.
Step 2
Swallow your ginger capsules with a full glass of water to make them easier to take and help you absorb them properly.
Step 3
Visit your doctor regularly for a cholesterol test. A 2004 study conducted by the Babol University of Medical Sciences in Iran found that patients who took 3 g of ginger in divided doses had lower LDL levels at the end of a 45-day period than participants who took a placebo. Your doctor may recommend another form of treatment if your cholesterol is still too high after taking ginger.
