High Blood Cholesterol

Cholesterol is a white crystalline substance found and produced in the liver. 20-30% of it came from the food that we eat. Normal cholesterol levels are between 150-200 mg per 100 ml of blood. It occurs in combination with lipoproteins, a type of lipids or fats. Two types of lipoproteins are LDL (low density) and HDL (high density). LDLs are harmful types that are found along with cholesterol on blood vessels. Higher LDL ratio with that of cholesterol will greatly increase the risk of getting arterial and heart disease. Higher HDL ratio on the other hand will prevent cholesterol build up and thereby reduce the risks of heart disease.

Individuals that have high blood cholesterol levels are at risk of getting heart attack or stroke.

Causes
Hypercholesterolaemia or increase in cholesterol level is primarily caused by hereditary factors, although alcoholic consumption, smoking, and stress contribute greatly to its rise.

Diets that contains fried foods, fish, eggs, meat, white flour, cakes, pastries, biscuits, sugar cheese, milk and milk products such as butter, cream and ghee all contributes to a rise in cholesterol levels.

Home Remedies
Lecithin: Egg yolk, soybeans, unpasteurized milk, wholegrain cereals, and vegetable oils contain lecithin. It is a fatty food substance that is abundant in phospholipids which prevents cholesterol build-ups in the arterial walls and veins. It also increases bile acid productions, which reduces the cholesterol present in blood.

Vitamins: Eat plenty of foods that are rich in choline, inositol and vitamin B6. Examples of these foods are: vitamin B extracted from bran, yeast and wheat germ. Vitamin E from butter, safflower, soybean, sunflower seeds and sprouted seeds and grain reduces cholesterol level and helps elevates blood lecithin.

Sunflower Seeds: Try replacing sunflower seeds from using butter or cream.

Coriander Seeds: Boil 2 tablespoons of dry coriander seeds in a glass of water. Strain then let chill. Take twice daily. It is a good diuretic that helps lower blood cholesterol and stimulates kidney functions.

Ishabgul: Take 1 teaspoon of ishabgul seed oil. It contains 50% linoleic acid that helps in lowering blood cholesterol.

Fiber: Fiber-rich diets will help lower the LDL cholesterol levels. This can be found on fruits such as guavas and mangos; leafy vegetables such as cabbage, celery, lady’s fingers (okra) and lettuce; legumes such as carrots, beet, potatoes and turnips; corn and oat bran, unprocessed wheat bran; and whole cereals such as barley, rice, rye and wheat.

Diets
Avoid foods that are rich in cholesterol such as cheese, bacon, beef, butter, eggs, organic meats and whole milk; and vegetable oil that contains saturated fats such as coconut oil and palm oil for they will increase LDL level.

Consume more corn, safflower, sesame oils and soybean for they contain polyunsaturated fats that effectively lower the LDL level.

Drink plenty of water, at least 8-10 glasses a day to eliminate traces of cholesterol and to encourage the excretory activity of the kidneys and skin.

Other suggestions
Take regular physical exercises such as bicycling, badminton, jogging or brisk walking and swimming. It promotes blood circulation and works well in lowering LDL cholesterol and raising the protective HDL level.