15 Home Remedies to Reduce Cholesterol

 15 Ways to Naturally Reduce Cholesterol and Lower the Risk of Heart Attack - Plus Cholesterol's Role in the Body and Side Effects of Statin Medication

Clockwise form top left – strawberries, magnesium salts to make magnesium oil, nettle and fish oil.

Under the new guidelines issued by the American Medical Association, roughly 1/3 of all adults should consider taking cholesterol-lowering statin drugs to control their cholesterol levels.  Many healthcare practitioners already feel there is an overuse of statin medication in the United States.  Statins may cause serious side effects, which I’ll get to in a bit.  Also, 50% of people who die suddenly from heart attacks do not have high cholesterol.   In this post we’ll discuss 15 home remedies to naturally reduce cholesterol and lower the risk of heart attack, the role of cholesterol in the body and side effects of statin medication.

 15 Ways to Naturally Reduce Cholesterol and Lower the Risk of Heart Attack

Home Remedy for Lower Cholesterol

#1 – Increase Your Magnesium Levels

In The Magnesium Miracle, Dr. Carolyn Dean explains how magnesium acts as a natural statin, limiting cholesterol production so that it covers necessary functions but is not produced in excess.  Foods that are high in magnesium include:  kelp, wheat bran, wheat germ, almonds, cashews, molasses, brewer’s yeast, buckwheat, brazil nuts, dulse, filberts, peanuts, wheat grain, millet, pecans, English walnuts, rye, tofu and dark chocolate.  Many wild plants are also high in magnesium, such as burdock root, dandelion, chickweed and nettle.  It may be difficult for people to get enough magnesium through diet, so applying magnesium oil topically can also be helpful.

#2 – Get More Vitamin C

As an antioxidant, vitamin C helps to reduce inflammation.  A 2008 study showed a significant decrease in serum LDL cholesterol and tryglyceride concentrations with the supplementation of at least 500mg/d of vitamin C.  Some good sources of vitamin C include:

citrus fruits such as oranges, grapefruit, lemons and limes

kiwi

papaya

strawberries

pineapple

cantaloupe

sweet bell peppers – green or red

cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli and kale

sweet potatoes

#3 – Drink Some Green Tea

Catechin, a major constituent of green tea, has been shown to reduce oxidized (damaged) low-density lipoprotein.  In a 2007 study, volunteers consumed the equivalent of 6 to 7 cups of green tea daily and experienced a significant change in plasma LDL concentration.

#4 – Add Some Vitamin K2 to Your Diet

In the book Vitamin K2 and the Calcium Paradox, the author explains how vitamin K2 packs a one-two punch when it comes to heart disease.  While K2 can lower serum cholesterol, more importantly, K2 reduces atherosclerois, i.e. plaque accumulation in the arteries.  This plaque is the deposits of calcium, fatty substances and scar tissue that together cause “hardening of the arteries”.  With plaque build up, the arteries either clog up and reduce or stop blood flow entirely, or get fragile and have a blow out.  Vitamin K2 is not the same as vitamin K1, which is abundant in leafy greens and great for bone building.  Vitamin K2 works in concert with calcium and vitamin D, making sure the calcium gets where it’s needed – in your bones, not your muscles and arteries.  In addition, vitamin K2 can remove calcium build up in the arteries after it has formed and help restore arterial flexibility.  The best source of vitamin K2 is natto, a fermented soybean concoction with a stringy, slimy texture.  Other sources of vitamin K2 include goose liver pate, hard cheeses (such as gouda), soft cheeses (such as Brie), egg yolk, butter and chicken liver.  Most people in the US are low in vitamin K2, although regular cheese eaters tend to far better than the general population.

 #5 – Eat Your Oatmeal

As the much publicized commercials for popular cereal brands note, the soluble fiber in oats helps to lower total and LDL cholesterol levels.  Go ahead and enjoy a nice warn bowl of oatmeal (soak overnight for quick morning cooking and easier digestion) or sneak some oatmeal into your snacking with fun recipes such as these cranberry-walnut power balls.

#6 – Make Sure Your Thyroid is Functioning Normally

Hypothyroidism (under active thyroid) often correlates with high cholesterol levels.  Talk to your health care provider about checking your thyroid.  Improving thyroid function may help to naturally reduce cholesterol levels.

#7 – Get a Cat

University of Minnesota Researchers studied more than 400 people for 10 years and found that cat owners had their risk of heart attack reduced by 30%.  Of course, this tip would probably not be helpful if you are a cat hater like my father-in-law.  This may be related to a cat’s ability to purr.  In the article “The Cat’s Purr and Sounds That Heal“, the author states that “The type of frequencies that are found in the cat’s purr are good for healing muscle, tendon, and ligament injuries, as well as for muscle strengthening and toning. They are good for any type of joint injury, wound healing, reduction of infection and swelling, pain relief, and relief of chronic pulmonary disease.”

 #8 – Eat some Blueberries

A recent study concluded that “blueberry intake acutely improves vascular function in healthy men in a time- and dose-dependent manner”. Blueberries are high in anti-oxidants, which reduce inflammation.  Learn how to grow your own blueberries.

#9 – An Apple a Day Really May Keep the Doctor Away

My grandmother Catherine always loved to say, “an apple a day keeps the doctor away”. It turns out she was probably right. A 2011 study by researchers from Florida State University found that older women who ate apples every day reduced LDL cholesterol levels by 23% within six months and increased HDL cholesterol levels by 4%. The apple eating women also lost an average of 3.3 pounds.

#10 – Choose Coconut Oil for Lower Cholesterol and a Slimmer Waist

In a 2011 study, woman consuming about 2 tablespoons of coconut oil per day experienced increased levels of HDL, decreased LDL/HDL ratio and reduced waist circumferences.  For a sweet treat that includes coconut oil, cocoa (for magnesium) and walnuts, check out our No Cook Coconut Oil Fudge recipe.

#11 – Enjoy Some Garlic

A study published in January 2012 analysed 26 clinical trials and found that garlic was more effective than a placebo in reducing cholesterol levels, specifically total cholesterol and triglyceride levels.  Garlic did not appear to have a significant effect on HDL and LDL.  Garlic is also anti-viral, antibacterial and anti-fungal, and may help lower blood pressure and improve liver function.  Fresh garlic packs more punch than cooked.  Learn how to grow garlic.

#12 – Supplement with Fish Oil

Loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, fish oil is a nutritional powerhouse that reduces inflammation and clotting, lowers triglycerides and increases HDL cholesterol.  Make sure to choose a quality brand that has been tested for mercury and other contaminants.

#13 – Get a Little Nutty

Walnuts, like fish oil, are also high in omega-3 fatty acids.  Nuts are also high in magnesium.  In an unrelated note, getting a little silly to reduce stress is also very good for reducing inflammation and improving overall health.

 #14 – Ditch Transfats, Don’t Smoke, and Eat Less Processed Food-like Products

What you shouldn’t eat is as important as what you should eat.  The FDA has *finally* admitted that transfats are bad, after allowing them to dominate the market for years.  Of course, manufacturers are likely to come up with some other modified gobbledegook that is equally as nasty.  When choosing fats (and other foods), look for less processed options.  As the saying goes, I trust cows more than chemists, which is why I eat butter.  Shop around the edges of the grocery store, looking for items that are minimally processed – real vegetables and fruit, fresh meat and dairy.  Learn to bake your own bread.  You can check out our Recipes page for a wide assortment of homemade fare.

#15 – Exercise

Although exercise is very good for many reasons, promoting circulation and strengthening the body, it’s not a magic bullet when it comes to cholesterol.  Cleveland Clinic states that “Exercise has the greatest effect on triglycerides (lowers them) and HDL, the good cholesterol (increases it). Exercise does not have much impact on LDL unless combined with dietary changes and weight loss.” Start out slowly and gradually increase your activity levels.

I hope this post has helped you to realize just how important cholesterol is for our bodies, and how many side effects statin drugs can have.  Remember that oxidized (damaged) cholesterol is more of a problem than high cholesterol.  Look to reduce inflammation so that your body doesn’t need to produce excess cholesterol to fight inflammation – don’t attack the firefighters for trying to put out the fire!

Related Posts :July 17, 2014 by Laurie Neverman 54 Comments

17 Foods Your Liver Loves

 

The liver – together with the kidney – acts as the body’s filtration system, preventing toxins and pollutants from actually circulating all over the organs.

Despite the efficiency of the liver in performing its job, the fact is that too much stress piled on to it can cause severe problems – in some cases, causing this vital organ to fail with its function.

This is where the word “detox” comes in. The idea is to “flush” out the toxins in the body by following a certain diet and limiting / stopping the amount of toxin-infested materials from entering your system until all the others are completely removed.

Unfortunately, this fosters the idea that you’ll have to: 

1 starve yourself to perform a detox and 

2 you’ll have to confine yourself to an unappetizing liquid diet.

Although those are one way to do a liver detox, that’s not the only one. If you really love your liver and want to take care of it, you can simply up your intake of liver-loving food items like:

1 – Water

Yes –it’s not food, but you’ll be amazed at just how well water can help flush your system and rejuvenate the liver and kidney. Water is the ultimate flushing product – it acts as a powerful hydrant that aids with the distribution of vitamins while getting rid of toxins through sweat, urine, and bowel movement. Unfortunately, very few people actually drink the required 8-glasses a day but this is a very minimum effort considering all the benefits you’ll get! Note though that if you’re going to drink water, it’s best to focus on those that have been specially filtered for drinking purposes.

2 – Green Tea

Another liver-loving drink is green tea. Although technically not food, green tea contains antioxidants which can help get rid of any toxic material in your intestines. You can add some lemon into the mix if you’re not happy with how green tea tastes.

Specifically, go for milk thistle and dandelion root since these are the ones best for liver protection. As much as possible, go for non-powder green tea.

3 – Fruit Infused Water

This one is incredibly popular nowadays and has been circulating in Facebook for months. Basically, you’ll soak favorite fruits in water overnight and use it as your basic hydrant for the day.

It doesn’t really change the taste of water much, but the infusion process allows for the transfer of vitamins and minerals in the water! The best option is usually lemon infused water with some peppermint, but the choice is really up to you.

4 – Avocado

Avocado is currently one of the most popular detox fruits today. They aid with the production of glutathione and manage to provide tons of vitamins and minerals with each serving. Keep in mind though that they’re best eaten fresh with no other additions that could cause imbalance.

5 – Apples

The adage “an apple a day keeps the doctor away” is true. In this case, apples are loaded with pectin which is used by the liver for handling toxins that pass through it every day. With more pectin in your diet, the higher the toxin load your liver can clean out in a given day.

6 – Artichokes

High in cynarin, these vegetables manages to protect the tissues of the liver even as it increases bile flow for better digestion. Aside from being a very powerful antioxidant, artichokes can also help you lose weight through increased metabolism.

Note that all cruciferous and leafy green vegetables are actually counted as perfect for the liver – kale, spinach, etc.

7 – Beets

Beets have a way of cleansing and purifying the blood which lowers the amount of work your liver has to do. Plus, it’s also rich in fiber, capable of making you feel full for longer periods of time! Beets are a popular ingredient in making juice cleansing recipes today but eating them as solid fruits will give you more access to their goodness!

8 – Turmeric

Turmeric doesn’t just make food taste good, it also helps remove enzymes that cause dietary problems.

9 – Citrus

Basically, all types of food items high in the vitamin C are perfect for the liver. Studies show that vitamin C can help prevent fatty liver disease.

10 – Onion

Much like garlic, onions also contain minerals that promote the health of liver tissue as well as aid with the removal of toxins. No needs to try complicated onion recipes – just add this product in some of your food items and eat them with relish to gain the positive effects!

11 – Coffee

Yes – coffee is healthy for the liver, but only in small amounts. Sticking to black coffee without too much sugar is always a good idea. Study shows that coffee aids with the production of bile, plus it also comes with a host of other health benefits. If you want some flavor in your coffee, add some lemon wedges in the cup.

 12 – Cilantro

A powerful herb that can be added to almost all types of food preparations, cilantro is also a well-known liver-loving product What’s great about this is that you can plant this in your backyard and just pick some up whenever they’re needed!

13 – Asparagus

Perhaps one of the best diuretics known to man – asparagus helps with the production of urine which is one of the body’s natural ways of flushing out toxins. If your urine production is quite low, try munching on these stalks to promote liquid flushing.

14 – Tomatoes

Tomatoes are popular for their cancer-fighting lycopene content, but they’re also rich in glutathione known for improving liver function.

15 – Walnuts

If you’re looking for a healthy liver-loving snack, walnuts are it! They’re high in omega-3 fatty acids which help with liver protection. Note though that they’re high in calories too so be careful.

16 – Olive Oil

Olive oil is credited with so many health benefits today and as it happens, it also works wonders for the liver! Specifically, flax seed, hemp, and olive manage to suck toxins circulating in the body and flush them out quickly and efficiently.

17 – Garlic

Add a bit of garlic each time you eat – perhaps grating the material and sprinkling some of them in your recipes. Garlic is known for its high sulfur compounds which helps reactive the liver. This manages to boosts the organ’s function, making it easier for the liver to handle and flush out toxins.

NOTE- ALWAYS CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE USING ANY THING NEW IN YOUR DIET.

Benefits of Green Tea for Health

Benefits of green tea for health - Drinking tea is one of the habits of the Asian community, not least Indonesia since time immemorial. Usually enjoyed in the morning or afternoon. Taste slightly bitter but this favour, can help refresh the body before and after activity. One type of tea that has been chosen is green tea.

Green tea, in addition to having good taste and refreshing, it can have a positive effect on our health. Green tea is anti-aging which can help slow the aging process. Other benefits of green tea is that it can prevent the entry of free radicals cause degenerative diseases of the body, because the green tea leaves contained high levels of antioxidants.

Health Benefits of Green Tea for Body
Benefits of green tea, of course, not be separated from substances / compounds contained therein. In the green tea, contained a number of important chemical elements and can provide benefits to the body. Are as follows:

1. Polyphenols / Tanin

• Act as anti-oxidants
• Can dissolve fat
• Digestion in the body, as well as capable of killing bacterial dysentery.

2. Catechins

• Lowering Cholesterol
• Anti-cancer
• Lowering high blood pressure and blood sugar levels.
• Improve performance and protect kidneys from gallstones

3. Mononitrate and Chlorophyll
Beneficial both to kill the bacteria found in the mouth, so it is widely used to prevent bad breath and scent the mouth.

4. Caffeine

• Helps blood circulation and improve kidney function
• Helps improve concentration and
• Stimulates the central nervous system.

5. Oil essence
These compounds are the source of the tea aroma therapy, one of the benefits that Digestion and helps dissolve fat.

6. Flavanols
Benefits include functions as an antioxidant and strengthens blood vessels.

• 7. Fluoride
• Prevent the growth of dental caries
• Prevent cavities and gingivitis.

8. Vitamin C
Levels of vitamin C in tea leaves was higher compared to some fruits such as tomatoes, lemon and apple. Benefits include functioning as antioxidants lower blood pressure, prevent colds, and reduce stress. And protect the eyes from cataracts.

9. Vitamin E

• When we drink a cup of green tea, the body gets vitamin E intake of 100-200 IU. This vitamin plays a role for the body include:
• Maintain healthy skin and making it remained smooth and protect it from premature aging.
• It protects the body from the risk of stroke and heart disease.
• Prevent fat clogging due to accumulation of fat.

10. Vitamin B complex

• Role is to speed up the metabolism of carbohydrates, protein, and fat in the body to make red blood cells.
• Helps adjust the temperature of the hot body

To get all the benefits of green tea, you are encouraged to routinely and regularly drink green tea but in the appropriate dosage. You need to know, in addition to other than beneficial to the body, a substance in green tea tannins can also cause a diuretic effect that sense the urge to urinate constantly. So to say, if you are the more frequent tea drinking water, the more fluid is wasted and cause the body to become weak.

10 Fat-Burning Foods You Need To Start Eating Immediately

Foodies, we have some good news! Instead of giving up food and restricting your diet to barely anything, you can switch over to these fat-burning foods to melt those extra kilos and become a lot healthier too!

1. Lentils

 

These are rich in both protein and fibre, so they help lower your blood sugar levels and keep your cholesterol in check.

2. Green Tea

 This detoxifying drink is very popular among people who want to lose weight. Its antioxidants and catechins speed up calorie burn considerably.

3. Peanut Butter

Who said fats only add to your paunch? Yes, peanut butter does contain fats, but they are good fats that can help you lose weight. Just take care to limit your portions.

4. Buttermilk

Substituting aerated drinks and other high calorie thirst quenchers with buttermilk, especially in summer, is a wise choice since it is a probiotic packed with essential nutrients and has minimal fats and calories.

5. Millets

Grains like jowar, bajra, ragi, etc., due to their high fibre content, reduce cholesterol and facilitate the secretion of the bile that emulsifies fats.

6. Mustard Oil

Rich in antioxidants and essential vitamins, this oil has less saturated fats than other cooking oils and is also good for the heart.

7. Chillies

Chillies are great for metabolism and can help your body burn unwanted fat.

8. Raw Veggies

Full of water, raw vegetables are low on calories. Substituting fried snacks with raw veggies coated with peanut butter or a salsa dip can be a healthier and yummier alternative.

9. Coffee

This is almost too good to be true! Coffee boosts metabolism and kills calories, but you have to skip the cream, sugar and chocolate however.

10. Yoghurt

This probiotic has friendly gut bacteria that reduce the absorption of fat during digestion.

Posted by: Elm Belle elm2belle@gmail.com

Simple Health Tips That Can Save Your Life

Don't you wish life was as simple as in the good old days, when our grandparents summarized health hazards under three heads - curry, hurry and worry? Well, these three hazards have snowballed out of proportion and every person is at risk of major health hazards that can even prove fatal. How can you protect yourself? Check out these quick tips that can even save your life.

Quick Tips That Can Improve Your Health And Save Your Life

Wash fruits and vegetables before you cook them. No matter how "organic" you think your food is, you can never really be sure unless you personally grow it. Chances are high that your food has come in contact with pesticides, even if not while being grown, at least in transit.

Don't skip your daily anti-oxidants. Many people swear by green tea these days, while still other retch at the thought of swallowing what tastes more like putrid rainwater! Green tea, though, is good for your health. A cup of green tea each

day, coupled with fresh fruits and vegetables, can keep you healthy and prevent diabetes, stroke and even heart problems.

Cut down on sugars in your diet. Sugars are the ultimate killers and lead you on the path of illnesses. If your sweet tooth doesn't give you any peace, satisfy it with nothing more than 2 spoons of sugar for the entire day.

Keep your teeth healthy. Interestingly, rotten teeth have been the cause of numerous health problems, ear infections and even heart problems. Germs that lodge in rotten teeth can travel through your body wreaking havoc. A regular visit to your dentist is less scary than the complications that can arise from cherishing your decaying teeth!

Use comfortable and ergonomic chairs while working. Bad posture while working can lead to the curvature of your spine, snowballing into several other complications. Your workstation should be at a comfortable height, and choose a chair that allows you to rest your feet flat on the floor.

Exercise daily. Spend a good 20 minutes each day with any form of exercise - aerobics, stretches or a brisk walk. Exercises get your metabolism up and helps your body function well. People who exercise more regularly are known to live longer.

Beat stress as much as you can. Stress is a silent killer and claims more lives than many people care to admit. It is the root cause of many cases of sudden death, and can lead to unexplained illnesses that can't really be diagnosed with traditional medical diagnostics. Cut down on stress and you've taken one of the best steps to improve your lifestyle and lengthen your years.

There you have it! These are just a few doable tips to improve your health and even save your life. While you can really formulate an endless list of do's and don'ts for a better life, these few tips can do the job quite well. In fact, they cover most of the basics, and are quite simple to integrate with daily life. So what are you waiting for? Get started with these simple tips and literally "get a life"!

Check out more tips on healthy living at http://www.medicalhelpguide.com/healthy-living/

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Types of Healthy Tea

Tea is a kind of popular beverage in the world. Not only useful as a release thirst, a dish of tea also saved health benefits. At least, the following six types of tea, was quoted by Fox News.

• Black Tea
Is the most common variety with penetration reaching 75 percent of global tea market? Made from the leaves of Camellia sinensis plant, which is usually rolled, fermented, then dried and crushed.
It was a little bitter with the highest caffeine content than other types. It compared to 40 milligrams of caffeine-containing coffee between 50-100 milligrams.

Health Benefits: Research shows people who drank three cups of black tea or more per day reduced their risk of stroke by 21 percent. Has a sufficiently high concentration of antioxidants, known as  theaflavin and thearubigins.? "This compound has a good effect at lower blood cholesterol levels," said Rebecca Baer, a dietitian in New York City.

• Green Tea
Have a more delicate taste than black tea. Once picked, the tea leaves are dried and heated immediately to stop the fermentation process. It contains about 25 milligrams of caffeine per cup.

Health benefits: A study found that consumption of Green tea per day lowers the risk from cardiovascular disease by 10 percent. Green tea is rich in antioxidants called catechins. "Active compounds to prevent cancer and all diseases related to heart," said Karen Collins, dietitian and nutrition consultant at the American Institute for Cancer Research, Washington.

• Oolong Tea
Similar to black tea. The difference is in the process of fermentation that lasted shorter. A bunch of richer flavor, this tea contains about 30 milligrams of caffeine per cup.

Health benefits: A study shows the benefits from this type of tea to weight loss. Women who diligently tended to drink oolong tea can burn more calories than those who drank only water. "Oolong activated the enzyme responsible for dissolving triglycerides, a form of dietary fat stored in fat cells," said Baer.

• White Tea
Derived from tea leaves that are picked while still very easy, thus offering a much milder flavor than other types. Each cup has only about 15 milligrams of caffeine content. And the process was too long; the type of tea is capable of storing the highest antioxidant content than other types.

Health benefits: A number of studies have shown the good type of tea for diabetics. Clinical trials of experimental animals also showed the benefits improved glucose tolerance and lowers bad cholesterol. Experts believe the same effect on humans. "White tea is beneficial to protect the system against potential cardiovascular and cancer," said Joe Simrany, president of the Tea Association of the United States.

• Tea-Scented
Usually in the form of black tea, green tea or white tea in the process of compounding has the addition of aromatics such as cinnamon, orange peel, or lavender,

Health benefits: nutritional compounds depending on the type of tea used. Because basically, the addition will not reduce the aromatic content of antioxidants or other important compounds. "But the levels of antioxidants can be added if blended with fruit such as blueberries super-harbor," said Lisa Boalt Richardson, tea expert from Atlanta, who wrote 'The World in Your Teacup'.

• Herbal Tea
Technically, this type is not derived from real tea leaves. Rather than mixing types of plants which usually consists of dried fruit, some flowers, and herbs. Caffeine-free content.

Health benefits: The study, published in the Journal of Nutrition found that drinking three cups of herbal tea (hibiscus) every day to help lower blood pressure in hypertensive patients. There is also evidence to suggest that chamomile tea served to increase the quality of sleep, or peppermint tea to soothe the stomach. All you need to be vigilant when consuming herbal tea is a weight that may contain harmful laxatives.