Cholesterol is a yellow fatty substance that is an essential ingredient of the body.
It performs several functions such as the transportation of fat, red blood cell protection, and defense and protection against the deterioration of the muscular membranes of the body.
Cholesterol travels through the bloodstream in protein packages known as lipoproteins.
There are two types of lipoproteins.
Low density lipoproteins are commonly referred to as bad cholesterol, which is the main cause of artery blockage.
The other is high density lipoproteins which are known as good cholesterol.
The high density lipoproteins remove bad cholesterol from the bloodstream and help prevent artery blockage, which can cause heart attacks.
There are many causes of high cholesterol.
Diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, excessive smoking, drinking, stress, and a high fat diet are all known contributors to high cholesterol.
Reducing cholesterol is vital to good health.
One of the natural ways of lowering cholesterol is to drink 8-10 glasses of water daily to stimulate the activity of the kidneys.
Another cholesterol lowering remedy is onion juice.
It cleans the blood, regulates the heart action, and helps in lowering cholesterol.
Applying a mud pack over the abdomen improves digestion and also helps liver function by activating the kidneys to promote excretion.
Oat bran is also beneficial in lowering cholesterol as well.
Products containing soy compounds can help to regulate cholesterol in the blood, minimizing spikes in cholesterol levels throughout the day.
Daily exercise also plays an important role in reducing bad cholesterol and raising good cholesterol.
Exercise is one of the best natural treatments for reducing "bad" (LDL) cholesterol.
Important cholesterol inhibitors in the development of arteriosclerosis are garlic and fish oil, which are known to reduce the occurrence of heart disease by as much as 45 percent.
Both garlic and fish oil contain omega-3 fatty acids.
Certain spices that we add to our foods are also known to lower cholesterol.
Curry spice (turmeric), is one of the spices that is known to lower cholesterol.
Gogul gum resin, which is derived from the myrrh tree, also reduces high cholesterol levels.
Psyllium, which is a plant fiber native to India and Iran, is another cholesterol-lowering agent.
Garlic and policosanol, an extract from sugar cane, have shown effectiveness in improving HDL levels of cholesterol while lowering triglycerides.
Fortunately, specialty products with added plant sterols and stanols are available in foods such as orange juice, cheeses, and various dairy products.
Gaining a better understanding of how natural foods, spices, herbs, and supplements work in lowering cholesterol is vital to maintain overall good health.
Emphasizing proper nutrition along with an exercise regimen will ultimately lead to healthier cholesterol levels and optimal vitality.
Statins should be considered a last resort, after other safer natural methods have been tried.
For more information on how to naturally control your cholesterol levels, visit http://www.
cholesterol-reduction.
org