If we talk about cholesterol, then calories are always attached with it. You will also find that if anybody talks about high cholesterol, then the first thing that strikes your mind is the risk factors associated with it. There are several risks associated with high cholesterol, but the basic risk is coronary heart diseases that may even cause a heart attack. Hence, it is really very important to maintain proper cholesterol levels of our body. Well, you don’t need to worry as there are various home remedies for reducing high cholesterol.
Functions of Cholesterol in Our Body:
If we talk about the cholesterol, then it is basically a greasy substance that is present in our body required to build healthy cells and maintaining the cell membrane. Though, it gets naturally produced in the human body, but it can be also obtained from the foods. It also helps in converting the sunlight into vitamin D nutrient. Hence, it is essential for our body as well. But, one need to understand the concept of daily requirements, so there is no need to face the condition of high cholesterol. Remember, that the cholesterol in our body starts increasing after the age of 20. Therefore, it is really very important to maintain it.
Types of Cholesterol Levels:
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LDL Cholesterol
This type of cholesterol basically builds on the walls of the arteries. It even causes the blockage in the arteries. It is the most common factor of increasing the risk of heart diseases. LDL cholesterol is also termed as “bad cholesterol”. Hence, it is the main cause of the high cholesterol in the body. Less than 200mg/dL is considered as optimal LDL cholesterol level. And, if will talk about LDL cholesterol level above 190 mg/DL, then it is simply considered to be a very high cholesterol number. It is very dangerous for our health.
HDL Cholesterol
This type of cholesterol is also termed as “good cholesterol”. But, remember the more it is in number, the more you will have the risk of heart-related diseases. If, HDL number is less than 40 mg/DL than is considered to be a major risk factor for heart diseases while if it is 60 mg/DL or higher than that, then it acts as a shield against the heart-related problems.
Causes of High Cholesterol Levels:
There are various factors that cause high cholesterol:
Wrong Eating Habits and Imbalanced Diet
In the urbanized nations, the eating habits of people are rapidly changing. People rarely pay attention towards their eating habits, especially when they lack time in the industrialized nations. They consume tons of calories every day, which is very larger than the estimated average calories intake. If we talk about an average consumption of calories by an adult man, then it is estimated as 2,700 calories on a regular basis while women should consume 2,200 calories on a daily basis in U.S. But, these days it is a very common problem that people skip their food. They usually adopt the wrong eating habits without paying any attention towards the diet they are following. Such habits may include overeating, eating food that is high in saturated oil and fat, skipping breakfast, physical inactiveness, and much more.
Genetically Inherited
The problem of high cholesterol may also be inherited from the genes of your parents. Sometimes, just one faulty gene is enough to give birth to such genetic problem.
Home Remedies for Reducing High Cholesterol Level:
1.) Eat Nuts for Reducing High Cholesterol Level
Nuts contain proteins, monounsaturated fats, nutrients, fibers, and antioxidants in it. There are various varieties of nuts available in the market like walnuts, hazelnuts, peanuts, pecans, almonds, and many more. They are very helpful in reducing the cholesterol level in our blood. Even it is proven in the study that eating almond daily can lower LDL cholesterol by 4.4 percent. Also, the walnuts contain the high level of omega-3 fatty acids that are very useful in lowering your LDL cholesterol up to 16 percent.
2.) Oatmeal for Reducing High Cholesterol Level
They are one of the most effective home remedies for reducing high cholesterol. Eating oatmeal is not just healthy for us, but it can help a lot in reducing the absorption of high cholesterol in our bodies. You can drop LDL level up to 12-24% by eating oatmeal on a regular basis.
3.) Drink Orange Juice for Reducing High Cholesterol Level
This citrus fruit like oranges is high in vitamin C; they can fight the problem of high cholesterol easily. Though, many scientists are not yet sure about how it took place, but all we know is it can fight the problem of high cholesterol like anything. Drink 3 cups of orange juice regularly to reduce high cholesterol of your body. It is one of the most renowned home remedies for reducing high cholesterol.
4.) Coconut Oil to Reducing High Cholesterol Level
Coconut oil is basically a saturated fat. It even contains lauric acid that helps in improving the HDL/LDL ratio and also increases the HDL. Consume 1-2 teaspoons of coconut oil to maintain your high cholesterol. It is one of the best home remedies for reducing high cholesterol.
5.) Eat Spinach for Reducing High Cholesterol Level
It contains large content of lutein in it, which helps in averting the cholesterol from getting stuck to the walls of arteries. It also prevents arteries from clogging. Spinach even contains vitamin E nutrient that helps in keeping the eye on the formation of plaque. Therefore, it plays a major role in reducing the chances of heart stroke and high cholesterol. So, don’t forget to add spinach in your diet.
6.) Honey for Reducing High Cholesterol Level
Honey is considered to be one of the best cholesterol busters. It is rich in numerous minerals and vitamins in it. It also helps in moving out the cholesterol out of the blood. It is one of the most effective preventive measures that prevent cholesterol from entering the lining of the blood vessels. You may consume honey in hot water. You can also drink honey while adding lemon juice in water. Honey not only helps in reducing high cholesterol, but it also helps in removing excessive fat from our body. So, start consuming it every morning on a regular basis.
7.) Barley for Reducing High Cholesterol Level
It is the most nutritious and healthy cereal that helps in normalizing the blood sugar level of the body. It can also reduce blood cholesterol levels by 4-10 percent. Barley is rich in fibers like beta-glucan that can easily curb your cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Therefore, it is one of the best home remedies for reducing high cholesterol.
8.) Brown Rice for Reducing High Cholesterol Level
If you are still eating the white rice, then it is better to replace it with brown rice. Brown rice is considered to be one of the best home remedies for reducing high cholesterol. It is high in various fibers, minerals and vitamins that help in reducing your cholesterol levels easily. Also, just one cup of brown rice contains 11 percent of the fiber in our body. Therefore, it is considered to be one of the healthiest grains for making your health.
9.) Herbal Products for Reducing High Cholesterol Level
There are several herbal home remedies for reducing high cholesterol. Consuming herbal products are the best treatments to maintain your LDL and HDL levels. You can consume green tea, which is a great antioxidant that helps in reducing the cholesterol levels. You may even add herbs like chicory and licorice roots, hawthorn berry, rhubarb, and margarine in your diet to lower the high cholesterol levels. Even you may add ginger in your diet as it is one of the best treatment for reducing high cholesterol.
10.) Use Turmeric for Reducing High Cholesterol Level
Turmeric contains wonderful healing properties. It also helps in lowering the LDL cholesterol. It can even cut down the build-up of plaque on the artery wall. To prepare this remedy, follow these steps:
- Just add turmeric to your daily diet. Add it in curries and consume it on a regular basis.
The other alternate way is to boil one and a half tablespoons of water and mix the three-fourth teaspoon of turmeric in it. - Also, add 2 tablespoons of cooked mashed eggplant in it. Use this paste for spreading on the bread and consume it every morning.
11.) Beans for Reducing High Cholesterol Level
Beans contain cholesterol-lowering fibers. Hence, they help in bringing down the LDL level. There are various different types of beans like kidney, chickpea, pinto, navy, black, or butter beans. Consume them on a regular basis for 6 weeks to reduce your cholesterol up to 10%.