High cholesterol levels affect many people. Lipid disorders increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Therefore, it is worth taking care to maintain or achieve normal cholesterol levels to stay healthy and reduce the risk of dangerous incidents such as myocardial infarction or stroke. How to lower cholesterol naturally? Which plant raw materials are worth keeping in mind when wanting to maintain healthy cholesterol?
Table of Contents:
- Good cholesterol, or what kind of cholesterol?
- Elevated cholesterol levels – what to do?
- How to lower cholesterol by natural means?
- Herbs that help maintain proper cholesterol levels
Good cholesterol, or what kind of cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a substance that is certainly needed for the proper functioning of the body. The problem, therefore, is not cholesterol per se, but only an excess of it. The main source of this compound is the synthesis of cholesterol, which takes place in the intestine and liver. To a lesser extent, it is obtained from the products we eat. The more cholesterol we consume with food, the more its internal synthesis decreases.
Cholesterol levels can be checked by performing a lipid profile. This test allows you to determine not only the level of total cholesterol, but also its individual fractions:
- LDL cholesterol referred to as „bad cholesterol.”
- HDL cholesterol referred to as „good cholesterol.”
The lipid profile also allows the determination of triglyceride levels and additional parameters that help to reliably assess lipid metabolism.
The normal cholesterol level should be no more than 190 mg/dl. As for LDL cholesterol, it should be less than 115 mg/dl. Good HDL cholesterol, on the other hand, should be more than 40 mg/dl.
Elevated cholesterol – what to do?
How to reduce cholesterol levels? Reduction of total cholesterol, including LDL cholesterol, is based on non-pharmacological recommendations, which will be discussed later in this article, and, if necessary, drug treatment. Therapy is determined on an individual basis, based on the results of laboratory tests, the patient’s general health and tolerance of the medications taken.
Commonly used to lower cholesterol levels are statins. These drugs cause a decrease in LDL cholesterol and total cholesterol. Statins are available by prescription only. Other medicinal products, which, like statins, are given by prescription, have also been used in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia. Although statins are considered effective drugs, it should be remembered that they are not without side effects. Their use usually has to be continued already for the rest of the patient’s life.
How to lower cholesterol by natural means?
Natural ways to lower cholesterol are recommended for all people with hypercholesterolemia, regardless of its degree. However, in the case of very high cholesterol levels, such methods are not sufficient to normalize it. They are then an adjunct to primary treatment.
Here are ways to get optimal cholesterol levels:
- Change in diet – reduce cholesterol-rich foods, increase the amount of fiber in foods. A Mediterranean diet can bring beneficial changes,
- Weight reduction – it helps lower LDL cholesterol by several units (8 mg/dl on average),
- Regular physical activity – high-intensity activity lowers LDL cholesterol levels by approx. 5-7%.
Herbs that help maintain proper cholesterol levels
Diet contributes significantly to lowering cholesterol. It is important not only to reduce the intake of saturated fats and trans fats, but also to enrich the daily diet with ingredients that help control cholesterol. An herb to keep in mind when struggling with high cholesterol is artichoke . Artichoke has the effect of reducing LDL cholesterol levels by about. 5-15%. The active ingredients in artichoke reduce the activity of the liver enzyme, which is involved in the process of cholesterol synthesis.
To take care of proper total cholesterol levels, you can also turn to fenugreek. In fenugreek seeds are present compounds that help lower cholesterol levels in the body. Proper supplementation can provide valuable support for people who want to comprehensively take care of their body fat levels. When looking for a good supplement for problems with elevated cholesterol, consider the following Cholesterol herbal tea. Among its ingredients, in addition to the aforementioned artichoke and fenugreek, peppermint, wild rose, hops and birch berry are also present. The tea comes in the form of convenient-to-brew pyramid teabags. It is dedicated to adults. It is recommended to make the herbal infusion 2 times a day. 1 bag of the supplement is used to prepare 1 serving of the product.
The problem of high cholesterol is widespread and requires the implementation of appropriate prevention and often treatment. In addition to cholesterol medication, appropriate lifestyle changes are an important part of treatment. Complementarily, it is worth remembering appropriate supplementation, which allows you to enrich your diet with ingredients that help maintain normal cholesterol levels. A comprehensive approach to hypercholesterolemia influences better effectiveness of therapy.
Bibliography:
- Banach M., Burchardt P., Chlebus K. et al. PTL/KLRWP/PTK/PTDL/PTD/PTNT guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of lipid disorders in Poland 2021.
- Król-Kogus B., Krauze-Baranowska M. Fenugreek(Trigonella foenum graecum L.) – tradition of use against the background of scientific research results. Progress of phytotherapy 2011, 3, 185-190
- European Union herbal monograph on Trigonella foenum-graecum L., semen
