Cholesterol provides a variety of benefits to health, such as helping to maintain the membranes of cells and playing a role in the creation of hormones, acids and vitamins. Too much cholesterol, however, can lead to a hardening and clogging of the...
Lowering the level of low-density lipoproteins, or LDL cholesterol, in your body can help reduce your risk of developing heart disease. Too much cholesterol in your blood can clog your arteries, reducing blood flow and forcing your heart to work...
Elevated cholesterol levels may be present in your body without your knowledge. There are no external signs or symptoms of this condition until the increased cholesterol causes plaque buildup in your arteries. This buildup leads to...
Cholesterol has a bad reputation, but a certain amount is actually needed by the body. It is a waxy fat, a lipid that is necessary for the production of hormones and building cell membranes. However, too much cholesterol circulating in the blood...
Red yeast rice is a dietary supplement created by growing a specific strain of yeast, Monascus purpureus, on red rice. The resulting compounds, known as monacolins, have been shown to lower cholesterol levels, according to MayoClinic.com. Although...
Both red yeast rice, made by fermenting yeast on top of red rice, and grapefruit pectin, made from the pulp and peel of the fruit, can have cholesterol-lowering effects. Red yeast rice contains monacolin K, also known as lovastatin, the same drug...
High cholesterol is a chronic condition that may lead to strokes and heart attacks, according to Dr. James Balch and Phyllis Balch, authors of "Prescription for Nutritional Healing." Excess levels of cholesterol in your bloodstream can contribute...
Although a few herbal remedies for high cholesterol have been the subject of animal research, no randomized, controlled, double-blind scientific studies are available to prove that herbs safely lower cholesterol in humans. Elevated fats in the...
If you want to lower your cholesterol and decrease your risk for developing cardiovascular disease, methods proven effective include shedding excess weight, exercising regularly and following a low-fat, low-sugar diet. Cinnamon and tea,...
You have heard a lot about "good" and "bad" cholesterol and their effects on heart health. Excess amounts of LDL---the bad cholesterol---can lead to a number of serious problems. Typically, lifestyle changes form a cornerstone of management along...
Elevated blood levels of LDL cholesterol, the bad cholesterol, and low levels of HDL cholesterol, the good cholesterol, are risk factors for heart disease. Physicians often prescribe statin drugs to treat high cholesterol. Yet statins are not for...
Artichokes have been used to treat everything from liver problems and jaundice to anemia, while artichoke leaf extract has been found to help lower serum cholesterol and triglycerides. You should always consult your doctor about alternative...
While genetics may play a role in high cholesterol, poor lifestyle choices often take the lion's share of responsibility. The good news, however, is that since your choices played a large role in giving you high cholesterol, they also play a role...
Nowadays, it seems that everyone worries about cholesterol. Prime-time television ads exhort you to get your cholesterol checked and ask your doctor if you should take medicines to lower your level. In 2008, the American Academy of Pediatrics...
Hypercholesterolemia, is a condition in which the body's blood vessels have excessive deposits of cholesterol, a waxy lipid. High cholesterol may eventually cause stroke, heart attack and decreased blood flow to your brain. High cholesterol has no...
Cholesterol and heart disease can lead to a shorter lifespan. As an alternative to prescription cholesterol remedies, some herbal treatments have shown promise in lowering cholesterol. Before starting an herbal approach to your health care,...
Niacin and fish oil are two once-alternative treatments for high cholesterol and triglycerides that have become mainstream. Fish oil is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat very high triglyceride levels, and niacin is...
When you suffer from high blood cholesterol, fatty deposits can begin to accumulate on your arterial walls. Over time, these deposits form plaque, narrowing blood vessels and impeding blood flow. Diet is by far the most common culprit of this...
Cholesterol is a substance that plays several important roles in the health of the human body. It is essential for the production of testosterone and estrogen, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. It also helps your body repair...
Several prescription drugs are available to treat high cholesterol. The problem with these drugs is that they cause a number of side effects. Statins, a widely prescribed drug to treat high cholesterol, can cause liver damage, muscle waste, rashes...
High cholesterol can contribute to blockages in the arteries and blood vessels, which can result in life-threatening heart problems such as strokes and heart attacks, according to Dr. James Balch and Phyllis Balch, authors of "Prescription for...
Low-density lipoprotein, also called LDL cholesterol, composes between 66 to 75 percent of the cholesterol in your blood. LDL is sometimes called the "bad" type of cholesterol, because an excess amount in the blood can stick to the interior walls...
High blood cholesterol levels, a condition often diagnosed as hyperlipidemia, affects approximately 16.3 percent of the adults in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Because high cholesterol increases...
Cardiovascular disease kills more people in the United States than any other condition. High cholesterol is one of the primary risk factors. The amount and type of cholesterol you consume plays a role in your heart health. Although reliable human...
Making changes to your diet and other lifestyle habits typically form the cornerstone of successful cholesterol management. In some instances, you might require medication. Several herbal treatments have a long history of use to lower cholesterol...
Your heart's got a hard job: It beats ceaselessly, pumping blood to every part of your body. If you've got high cholesterol, your heart has to work even harder to keep you alive, and that can be very dangerous indeed. In the late 1960s, scientists...
As you age, your blood cholesterol levels are likely to increase, states MedlinePlus, a website of the National Institutes of Health. Higher levels of this fat-like substance build up in your arteries and forms plaque. This cholesterol build-up...
According to the American Heart Association, over half of the American population has high cholesterol. Heart disease and poor health accompanies high cholesterol levels. Medications and lifestyle changes, such as losing weight, reducing fat...
According to the Mayo Clinic, flaxseed has fiber and omega-3 fatty acids, and a flaxseed supplement with additional omega-3 fats may benefit your heart and digestive system. However, if you are considering a dietary supplement for its health...
