Lower Cholesterol Naturally Part 1

Lower Cholesterol Naturally With Garlic

You can lower cholesterol naturally using garlic. In a double-blind placebo-controlled study that followed 152 individuals for 4 years, standardized garlic powder at a dosage of 900 mg daily significantly slowed the development of atherosclerosis. (Koscielny J, Klussendorf D, Latza R, et al. The antiatherosclerotic effect of Allium sativum. Atherosclerosis. 1999;144:237–249.)In another study, 432 individuals who had suffered a heart attack were given either garlic extract or no treatment over a period of 3 years.

Lower Cholesterol Naturally With Fish Oil (Omega-3)

Dr. Fran Hu of the Harvard School of Public Health reviewed data on 84,688 female nurses, ages 34 to 59, who were part of the Nurses' Health Study over 16 years. They found that high consumption of fish (4-5 times a week) cut the risk of dying from heart disease by 45 percent compared to women who rarely ate fish, it is a good way to lower cholesterol naturally. Another study published in The New England Journal of Medicine compared 94 men who died suddenly to 181 other men. Men with the highest levels of omega-3 fatty acids had an 81 percent lower risk of dying suddenly than men with the lowest levels. According to Dr. JoAnn Manson of Boston's Brigham and Women's Hospital, “the fats in fish actually lower cholesterol naturally, helps prevent blood clots that form in heart attacks and lessens the chances for the irregular heart beats that cause about 250,000 sudden deaths a year.” If you don't like fish or have allergies to certain kinds of fish, supplements are very effective as shown by the study published in the American Heart Association’s journal Circulation. Participants who took one gram daily of an omega-3 fatty acid supplement reduced their risk of sudden cardiac death by 42 percent.

Lower Cholesterol Naturally With Beta-Sitosterol

Another natural remedy is Beta-Sitosterol, which should be taken as 300 mg twice a day. The great thing about this is that is helps to lower blood serum cholesterol and triglycerides with few diet changes and little or no exercise.

Psyllium

Psyllium is native to Iran and India . The seeds are primarily used in traditional herbal medicine, which is a common ingredient in bulk laxative products. Studies have shown that psyllium found in supplements can lower LDL cholesterol. This study showed improvement in both children and adults. This benefit is believed to come from the soluble fiber component of psyllium.

Other forms of natural herbs and supplements believed to help reduce LDL cholesterol include:

• Vitamin E and C
• Green Tea
• Licorice Extract
• Aspirin (80 mg a couple of times per week)
• Extra Virgin Oil (1 tablespoon daily)

Keep in mind that natural therapy for lowering cholesterol is not intended to replace any medication you may currently be on so before making any changes, you should first consult your physician.

Other Means of Lowering Cholesterol

One such study is being conducted by Dr. Nicolas Duverger of Gencell in France along with Dr. Caroline Desurmont of Institut Pasteur in Paris. They are conducting studies using gene therapy as a means of not only reducing high cholesterol, but also eliminating the fatty plaques associated with "hardening of the arteries."