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Home Remedies Index
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Natural Home Remedies for High Blood Cholesterol
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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 percent generally comes from the foods
we eat.
Cholesterol is measured in milligrams per 100
millimeters 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 lipoproteins. There are two
main types of lipoproteins: a low density one (LDL) and
a high density one (HDL).
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The low density lipoprotein is the one which is considered harmful and is associated with cholesterol deposit 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.
Hypercholesterolemia or increase in cholesterol is mainly a hereditary disorder. It is also caused by taking rich
foods and fried foods; excessive consumption of milk and its products like ghee, butter, and cream; white flour,
sugar, cakes, pastries, biscuits, cheese, and ice cream; and non-vegetarian foods like meat, fish, and eggs.
Other causes of increase in cholesterol are irregularity in habits, smoking, and drinking alcohol. Stress has also
been found to be a major cause of increased level of cholesterol.
Home Remedy with Lecithin
Lecithin, also a fatty food substance and the most abundant of the phospholipids, is beneficial in case of increase
in cholesterol level. It has the ability to break up cholesterol into small particles which can be easily handled by
the system. With sufficient intake of lecithin, cholesterol cannot build up against the walls of the arteries and
veins. Lecithin also increases the production of bile acids made from cholesterol, thereby reducing its amount in
the blood. Egg yolk, vegetable oils, wholegrain cereals, Soya beans, and unpasturised milk are rich sources of
lecithin. The cells of the body are also capable of synthesizing it as needed, if several of the B vitamins are
present.
Home Remedy with Vitamins
Vitamins B6, choline, and inositol are particularly effective in reducing the level of blood cholesterol. Wheat gram,
yeast, or vitamin B extracted from bran contain high quantities of these vitamins. Vitamin E also elevates blood
lecithin and reduces cholesterol.
The patient should take liberal quantities of vitamin E-rich foods such as sunflower seeds, safflower, Soya bean
oils, butter, and sprouted seeds and grains.
Treatment using Coriander Seeds
Regular drinking of a decoction of coriander seeds helps lower blood cholesterol. It is a good diuretic and helps
stimulate the kidneys. It is prepared by boiling two tablespoons of dry seeds in a glass of water, and straining
the decoction after cooling. This decoction should be taken twice daily.
Treatment using Fiber
The amount of fiber in the diet also influences the cholesterol levels and LDL cholesterol can be lowered by
taking diets rich in fibers. The most significant sources of dietary fiber are unprocessed wheat bran, whole
cereals such as wheat, rice, barley, rye; legumes such as potatoes, carrots, beet, and turnips; fruits such as
mangoes and guavas; and leafy vegetables such as cabbage, lady's fingers, lettuce, and celery. Oat bran and
corn bran are specially beneficial in lowering LDL cholesterol.
Home Remedy with Sunflower Seeds
Sunflower seeds are valuable in lowering high blood cholesterol. They contain a substantial quantity of linoleic
acid which is the fat helpful in reducing cholesterol deposits on the walls of arteries. Substituting sunflower
seeds for some of the solid fats like butter and cream will, therefore, lead to great improvement in health.
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