Cholesterol, a yellowish fatty substance, is one of the essential ingredients of the body. Although it is essential to life, it has a bad reputation, being a major villain in heart disease. Every person with high blood cholesterol is regarded as a potential candidate for heart attack or a stroke. Most of the cholesterol found in the body is produced in the liver. However, about twenty to thirty per cent generally comes from the food we eat.
The most common symptoms of high blood cholesterol are general fatigue, excess sweating and feel of uneasiness, pain and heaviness in chest area and breathlessness.
Cholesterol is measured in milligrams per 100 millimetres of blood. The normal level of cholesterol varies between 150 - 200 mg per 100 ml. In blood, cholesterol occurs in combination with certain lipids (fats), hence, known as lipoptroteins. There are two main types of lipoproteins: a low density one (LDL) and a high density one (HDL). The low density lipoprotein is the one which is considered harmful and is associated with cholesterol deposits in blood vessels. The higher the ratio of LDL to the total cholesterol, the greater will be the risk of arterial damage and heart disease. HDL, on the other hand, plays a salutary role by helping remove cholesterol from circulation and thereby reducing the risk of heart disease.
Causes of High Blood Cholesterol:
The major cause of high cholesterol levels is wrong lifestyle. Fatty food, lack of regular exercise and stress are the main causes of imbalance in cholesterol. These and other causes can be listed as follows:
Ø High blood pressure
Ø Diabetes
Ø Obesity
Ø Excessive smoking and drinking
Ø Stress
Ø High intake of fat diets
Ø Hereditary disorder.
Remedies for High Blood Cholesterol:
1. It is advisable to have food prepared from sunflower seeds instead of butter and saturated oil. This is highly beneficial in regulating the cholesterol levels.
2. The best home remedy to cure a person with high cholesterol is to have at least 8-10 glasses of water per day.
3. Take 1 tsp. roasted chicory root, 1 tsp. lime flowers, ½ tsp. fenugreek seeds, ½ tsp. ginger rhizome, and 1 quart of water. Mix them and bring to boil. Let the boiled mixture cool. Then strain and drink 2 cups a day.
4. Immerse 2 tablespoons of coriander seeds in a glass of water. Boil the concoction and allow it to cool. Strain the water and have it three times a day.
5. Take 10 pieces of cinnamon sticks and put them in a pot containing 5 teacups of water. Boil the water and then add a tablespoon of honey to it. Drink this concoction when it’s warm.
6. In a glassful of milk, add a piece of garlic and boil it. Allow it to cool before drinking. Consume this for a few days. Not only would it reduce cholesterol, but also take care of the cardiac pains.
7. Mix 10-12 tablespoons of apple juice and 5-6 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar. Intake this mixture once a day.
8. Consuming raw onions or onion juice is also beneficial in reducing the high cholesterol.
9. Regular exercising is very necessary to keep the cholesterol levels under control.
10. In green leafy salads, mix a small amount of olive oil. It proves beneficial lessening the high cholesterol levels as well as for the proper functioning of the heart and the body.
11. Persons suffering from high cholesterol should have foods rich in fiber such as raspberries, blackberries, strawberries, broccoli, green beans, etc.
12. Consume lots of almonds and walnuts. These are helpful in reducing the cholesterol levels.
13. Chewing sweet neem is also beneficial in lowering the high cholesterol levels.
14. Having fenugreek seeds and sprouts helps to reduce the high cholesterol levels.
15. Persons suffering from high cholesterol levels should have a small bowl of curd every day. Curd acts favorably in reducing the cholesterol levels.
16. Eat a clove of garlic every morning on empty stomach. In fact, the intake of garlic should be increased by adding it to daily food preparations as it lowers LDL cholesterol level and increases HDL.
17. Take Guggul (Indian bedellium) which reduces triglycerides and LDL by 35% and increases HDL by 20 %. The Guggul extracts are easily available in form tablets and capsules.
18. Have oatmeal regularly.
19. Take onion juice. It cleans blood, helps digestive system, cures insomnia and regulates the heart action apart from lowering bad cholesterol.
20. Apply mudpack over abdominal area. It is good cure for indigestion and also improves the functioning of the liver and activates kidneys to promote excretion.
21. Exercise daily. It can simply be brisk walking or yogasanas like ardhamatsyaendrasana, shalabhansan, padmasana and vajrasana. These Yoga asanas help in lowering blood cholesterol. Obesity is one of the major causes of high cholesterol levels. However, if you suffer from any heart disease, consult your doctor before starting any heavy exercise like jogging, swimming, running or gym training.
