Cholesterol is a fatty substance that the body needs in specific amounts to function properly. However, an excess of this type of fat in the blood can combine with other substances and form a mass known as plaque, which can adhere to the walls of the arteries, causing them to narrow or block and thus complicate the cardiovascular health of the streets. People. For this reason, high blood cholesterol levels are a risk factor for developing heart disease and even gallbladder stones.
Increased cholesterol does not usually present any symptoms, so many people find out they have hypercholesterolemia when their doctor prescribes a blood test as part of a routine medical check-up. People who are overweight, obese, have diabetes, and with a family history of hyperlipidemia are more likely to have high blood cholesterol levels. Reducing the excess of this fat in the body is necessary for our body to function correctly and prevent coronary heart disease. Although there are medications to treat excess cholesterol, many people prefer natural alternatives; for this reason, in this FastlyHealarticle, we show you the home remedies to reduce cholesterol.
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Why do I have high cholesterol?
When we go to the doctor, and he tells us that we have high cholesterol, he refers to LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol, also known as bad cholesterol, because it represents that type of fat capable of forming the lac that narrows the arteries. Normal levels of LDL cholesterol range between 70 and 130 mg / dL, and the closer the value is to 70, the healthier the person will be. Now, why do we have high cholesterol? Many factors make us predisposed to hypercholesterolemia; among the most common we find:
- Overweight and obesity.
- Family background.
- Diabetes.
- Sedentary life.
- High-fat diet.
- Renal disease.
- Hyperthyroidism
- Pregnancy.
- Polycystic ovary syndrome.
- Medications: contraceptives, diuretics, treatment for depression.
Natural juices to lower cholesterol.
Fruits are a fundamental part of the diet because they are enriched with vitamins and minerals that not only help nourish the body but also offer properties that help reduce blood cholesterol, as is the case with antioxidant fruits. Preparing natural juices at home with fruits such as orange, apple, kiwi, strawberries, and lemon will be of great help to offer our diet a drink that allows us to reduce bad cholesterol.
Citrus juice (rich in antioxidants)
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of strawberries
- The juice of an orange.
- The juice of 1/2 lemon.
- 1 kiwi.
- 1 tablespoon of oatmeal.
Preparation: Process all the ingredients in the blender until you get a homogeneous mixture. You can add saccharin to sweeten it since it is recommended that you avoid sugar consumption. Why does this juice have oats in it? Because oats are rich in fiber and help eliminate accumulated fats in the body. Take this juice three times a week on an empty stomach.
White tea is an excellent antioxidant
White tea offers the body vitamin C, vitamin E, and a plentiful supply of fiber, which is why it is considered a potent antioxidant drink, which helps fight the effect of free radicals in the body and reduces the risk of suffering from diseases. Cardiovascular But why does white tea help lower cholesterol? Because it is rich in catechins, another natural antioxidant that helps lower bad cholesterol and increases good cholesterol.
In addition, this tea has a diuretic effect. It accelerates the metabolism, which will be ideal for helping the body release accumulated toxins and process new fats and stored fats better. Among the different types of tea, it has been proven that white tea is the one that offers the most significant antioxidant effect, which is why it also helps prevent the risk of suffering from some types of cancer, such as breast or colon cancer. After breakfast and lunch, a cup of white tea will go a long way in lowering cholesterol with home remedies.
Omega 3 is excellent for preventing cardiovascular diseases
Scientific studies have shown that the regular consumption of polyunsaturated fatty acids is capable of considerably reducing the concentration of cholesterol in the blood, helping prevent cardiovascular diseases. A 20-year study by The Seven Countries Study found that men who consumed 30 grams of oily fish daily reduced their risk of coronary heart disease mortality by 50%.
The best way to obtain the benefits of fish oils is through omega three supplements, which offer in a daily capsule all the necessary dose that our body needs and does not produce these fatty acids. However, if you disagree with the intake of this type of supplement, there are many foods rich in omega-three that, although they will not be as effective as capsules, will help you maintain a much healthier diet. Some of them are: steamed, baked, or grilled salmon, anchovies, white tuna, trout, blue mussel, natural oysters, sardines (even canned ones), herring, and Atlantic mackerel.
Foods rich in fiber help absorb fats.
Fiber is one of the best substances that we can find to reduce fat concentration in the body since it has the property of absorbing it and stimulating intestinal transit for its expulsion. There are many foods rich in fiber to reduce cholesterol. Still, among them, artichokes stand out, a vegetable with a shallow caloric index but with high levels of fiber that help fight bad cholesterol, improve blood pressure and prevent coronary heart disease. A very effective way to take advantage of the benefits of artichokes is by drinking artichoke water, which you can prepare by cooking two artichokes in boiling water for 20 minutes. Then, take out the artichokes and drink the water.
One of the most effective fibers to absorb fats in the body is the fiber of oats since it has the property of mixing with cholesterol in the small intestine to remove it from the body and prevent it from going into the blood. You can increase the consumption of oatmeal or drink oatmeal water. If you decide on the second option, you only have to pour a glass of water, add two tablespoons of oat flakes, leave it to rest overnight, and drink only the water on an empty stomach when you wake up.
Other Tips for Lowering Cholesterol
Although home remedies to lower cholesterol can help regain our health, there are some habits that we must also change to have a healthier life and prevent hyperlipidemia from returning. Take into account the following tips that will be of great help not only to combat bad cholesterol but also to have a more balanced diet and a healthier life:
- Give up smoking.
- I prefer low-fat foods.
- Avoid consuming fried foods, pastries, sweets, and white flour.
- Eat whole-grain pasta and rice richer in fiber than their original version.
- Cook food on the grill, steam, or in the oven.
- Increase the consumption of fish.
- Decrease the consumption of fatty proteins such as red meat.
- Season foods with a bit of salt and prefer fat-free sauces and dressings.
- Use three teaspoons of olive oil a day.
- Lose weight.
- Exercising helps the body burn more fat and speed up fat metabolism. Walking for 45 minutes 5 times a week is very helpful.
This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Home remedies to reduce cholesterol, we recommend that you enter our category of Blood, heart and circulation .
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.