High blood cholesterol, also known as hypercholesterolemia is a condition in which your blood cholesterol levels are higher than 200mg/dl. Excess cholesterol can deposit in your arteries, eventually clogging them, that can in turn cause stroke, atherosclerosis, hypertension and heart attacks.
You must get a lipid profile screening test done after every three years if you are above fifty years of age. You can consult your lab reports with a top internal medicine specialist in Karachi.
Your healthcare provider may prescribe you a medication known as a statin to lower cholesterol levels. But natural remedies can also help in its management. In this article, we are going to explore those natural remedies, that can help in lowering bad cholesterol and increasing good cholesterol levels.
Fibre
There are two types of fibres, soluble and insoluble. The soluble one dissolves in water and forms a gel. It helps in lowering down cholesterol levels by binding with it in the small intestine and does not allow it to enter your bloodstream. Therefore, excess cholesterol has to leave your body through faeces.
Consume it in moderation, as excess consumption of fibre may cause constipation, diarrhoea or bloating. Moreover, you can get it through fruits like oranges, apples, pear, peach, etc. Avoid consuming fibre with any medication.
Psyllium
Psyllium is also a kind of fibre. It lowers bad cholesterol by 5 to 10%. It is available as over the counter laxative. You need 10 to 20grams of it a day to lower the levels of bad cholesterol. It has a property to bind with fats and bile acids. Therefore, it binds with excess cholesterol in your intestines, hence lowers the bad cholesterol levels. However, consume it in moderation, as excessive consumption may cause diarrhoea, bloating and abdominal cramps. Always consult with a healthcare provider before consuming psyllium.
Ginger
Ginger lowers cholesterol levels by activating an enzyme that increases the body needs of cholesterol. According to a study, it also helps in boosting HDL -the good cholesterol. You can add it raw in your diet, or make a mixture of ginger and lemon, or take out ginger juice and sprinkle it over salad or food. Ginger is an antioxidant. Therefore, it has other benefits to your body as well. It eases digestion, slows down ageing, prevents heart diseases and many other.
Flaxseed
Flaxseeds, also known as linseed, is rich in omega3 fatty acids, that helps your body increase HDL cholesterol levels. Therefore, to lower bad cholesterol and increase the levels of good cholesterol, eat flaxseed. You can consume its oil or ground it. But do not eat it whole as your body can not break the outer, shiny coating of the seed. Therefore, it does not get absorbed if you eat it as a whole.
Niacin
Niacin is vitamin B. According to experts, it helps by increasing levels of good cholesterol and lowers triglycerides levels. You can take it in the form of a supplement. But always consult your healthcare provider about it. As taking it in the form of supplements may cause flushing, nausea, skin itching and diarrhoea. You can also get niacin by eating liver, chicken, fish, turkey and legumes.
Conclusion
Before starting any supplement, any special diet to lower the cholesterol levels, consult with a healthcare provider first. Moreover, try to avoid taking natural remedies with medicines as they may alter its effect. Incorporate walk and physical activity to your daily routine for at least thirty minutes. It will also help in the management of high blood cholesterol levels. If you have a complaint of high blood cholesterol, consult with the top internal medicine specialist in Islamabad.