Home Remedies for High Cholesterol

High cholesterol often is caused by unhealthy lifestyle choices like a diet high in saturated fats and lack of adequate physical activity.

Factors such as obesity, smoking, excessive drinking, aging (arteries tend to narrow with age),genetics, and certain underlying conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and kidney or liver disease also increase the risk of developing this problem.

Cholesterol is a fatty substance present in your blood that is needed for building and maintaining cell membranes, converting sunshine to vitamin D, and other important functions.

However, a high level of cholesterol, also called hypercholesterolemia, is unhealthy and can lead to serious and even fatal health problems. Cholesterol tends to accumulate along artery walls and increases your risk of developing heart disease.

Usually, blood cholesterol levels should remain below 200 mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter of blood). It is considered borderline high when it is between 200 and 239 mg/dL, and when it increases to 240 or higher mg/dL it is regarded as high cholesterol.

Mostly, a test called lipoprotein profile is used to test the cholesterol levels in terms of total cholesterol (the sum of HDL, LDL and VLDL), HDL, LDL and triglycerides.

Of these, HDL, or high density lipoprotein, is considered good because it carries cholesterol to the liver where it can be broken down and reprocessed.

Although it is good for that reason, your body needs a certain amount of HDL to perform its function fully. Those with low levels of HDL are considered at higher risk of developing heart disease.

LDL, or low density lipoprotein, on the other hand, is considered bad. It is the cholesterol that tends to build up along the inner walls of the arteries and over time causes narrowing of these blood vessels.

Are eggs good or bad for my cholesterol?

The answer to this is that Chicken eggs do raise cholesterol levels but its impact on heart health is fairly misunderstood.

It is true that a single medium sized egg contains 186 mg (62% of the recommended daily intake) of cholesterol, all of which is found in the yolk. The whites are free of cholesterol and rich in protein. Most experts have recommended that for a healthy individual, ideally a single egg should do no harm if he manages to keep the rest of the cholesterol intake in check. For people with heart disease and diabetes the dietary limit of 200 mg is a bit tough to meet.

Having said this, the real story of how our body reacts to cholesterol in the diet is fairly intriguing and alters our perception about cholesterol the “villain”. While it is true that higher cholesterol levels in the blood are detrimental to heart health, the truth is that cholesterol is super critical element for a healthy body. It is a structural molecule that is an essential part of every single cell membrane and an essential element in making steroid hormones like testosterone, estrogen and cortisol.

Not relying on diet to provide cholesterol, the liver is programmed to produce cholesterol needed for vital processes, on its own. If you introduce cholesterol rich food into the body, the liver correspondingly lowers the production, ensuring healthy levels are maintained. So even with a cholesterol loaded diet, your cholesterol levels remain fairly stable.

Studies have shown that eggs increase HDL (good) cholesterol levels, reduce triglyceride levels (Omega-3 enriched eggs) and maintain (sometimes slightly increase) LDL levels. Additionally it provides vital protein, vitamins- B12 and D, riboflavin, folate, antioxidants-Lutein and Zeaxanthine, and Choline, a brain nutrient.

Studies show that eggs change the LDL particles from small, dense LDL to Large LDL which actually lowers the risk of heart disease. So even if eggs cause mild increases in Total and LDL cholesterol levels, this is not a cause for concern.

The science is clear that up to 3 whole eggs per day are perfectly safe for healthy people who are trying to stay healthy. But diabetics who eat eggs are at an increased risk of heart disease.

Note: Not all eggs are the same. Most eggs at the supermarket are from chickens that are raised in factories and fed grain-based feeds. The healthiest eggs are Omega-3 enriched eggs, or eggs from hens that are raised on pasture. These eggs are much higher in Omega-3s and important fat-soluble vitamins.

Why Cholesterol is Essential for Optimal Health

There’s some serious confusion about cholesterol, and whether high cholesterol levels are responsible for heart disease.

Chris Masterjohn, who recently received his PhD in nutritional sciences from the University of Connecticut, has published five peer-reviewed papers on vitamins and supplementation, and he’s currently researching fat-soluble supplements – A, D, and K – at the University of Illinois. (Please note that the opinions expressed here represent Dr. Masterjohn’s own positions, and may not represent the position of the University of Illinois.)

He also maintains a blog, The Daily Lipid1, and his website, Cholesterol-And-Health.com2, which are dedicated to the issue of cholesterol. He’s also active with the Weston A. Price Foundation.

Cholesterol has been demonized since the early 1950′s, following the popularization of Ancel Keys’ flawed research. As a result, people now spend tens of billions of dollars on cholesterol-reducing drugs each year, thinking they have to lower this “dangerous” molecule lest they keel over from a heart attack.

As a testament to the power of this incredibly effective marketing system, Lipitor was the number one selling drug for 2011. This also reveals why challenging this belief system is met by such intense resistance. There are very powerful, financially-motivated forces backing the continued belief in the cholesterol myth.

Cholesterol is Essential for a Healthy Life

The Weston A. Price Foundation has been a major leader in helping people understand the truth about cholesterol, and Dr. Masterjohn has also lectured on this important topic.

Here are the top 10 home remedies for high cholesterol.

1. Coriander Seeds

Research has shown that coriander helps lower the levels of total cholesterol, LDL (the ‘bad’ cholesterol), and triglycerides. Coriander seeds also have hypoglycemic effects and can be useful in diabetes management.

• 1. Add two teaspoons of coriander seed powder to one cup of water.

  2. Boil the mixture and then strain it.

  3. Drink this once or twice a day. You can add milk, sugar, and cardamom to it and use it as a replacement for your regular tea.

If you do not have coriander seed powder, then simply use coriander seeds or dry roast and grind them to make the powder.

2. Onions

Red onions are beneficial in dealing with high cholesterol. Scientists in Hong Kong found that they help reduce bad cholesterol and elevate good cholesterol levels. This, in turn, lowers the risk of developing heart disease.

• • Mix one teaspoon each of onion juice and honey. Drink it once daily.

  • Add one finely chopped onion and one-quarter teaspoon of pepper to one cup of buttermilk. Consume it on a regular basis.

  • Also include onion, ginger, and garlic in your diet.

3. Indian Gooseberry

Indian gooseberry, or amla, acts as a natural hypolipidemic agent, which means that it promotes the reduction of lipid concentrations in the serum. A study published in the International Journal of Medical Research & Health Sciences revealed that this fruit has antihyperlipidemic, anti-atherogenic, and hypolipidemic effects.

• 1. Mix one teaspoon of Indian gooseberry powder, or dried and powdered Indian gooseberries, in a glass of warm water.

  2. Drink it daily in the morning on an empty stomach.

4. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar helps lower your total cholesterol and triglyceride levels. In addition, it is a great home remedy for a number of ailments including acid reflux, high blood pressure, gout, upper respiratory infections, and others.

• 1. Mix one teaspoon of organic apple cider vinegar in a glass of water.

  2. Drink this two or three times a day at least for a month.

You can gradually increase the amount of apple cider vinegar to two tablespoons per glass. If you do not like the taste of apple cider vinegar, you may mix it with fresh orange juice, apple juice, grape juice, or other fruit juices.

5. Orange Juice

Drinking three cups of fresh orange juice daily can be a great help in reducing blood cholesterol levels naturally because it is rich in vitamin C, folate, and flavonoids.

A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that drinking 750 mL of pure orange juice daily can increase HDL cholesterol and triglycerides, and decrease the LDL/HDL ratio in hypercholesterolemic patients.

Orange juice fortified with sterols is even better. Studies have shown that about 3 grams of phytosterols a day can help lower total cholesterol by up to 11% and LDL by up to 15%. So, drink two glasses of plant sterol-fortified orange juice per day.

6. Coconut Oil

Though counterintuitive, coconut oil is considered a beneficial home remedy for high cholesterol, even though it is a saturated fat. Coconut oil contains lauric acid that helps increase HDL (the ‘good’ cholesterol) and improve the LDL/HDL ratio.

Add moderate amounts of organic coconut oil to your diet. You can have one to two tablespoons of this oil daily. Do not use refined or processed coconut oil.

7. Oatmeal

In those rare cases where a baby is born with Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome, the child is susceptible to and can present a wide range of defects, such as:

Cholesterol is Essential for Cellular Function

What this tells us is that cholesterol deficiency impacts virtually every aspect of your health. One of the primary reasons for this widespread effect is because cholesterol plays a critical role within your cell membranes. Your body is composed of trillions of cells that need to interact with each other. Cholesterol is one of the molecules that allow for these interactions to take place. For example, cholesterol is the precursor to bile acids, so without sufficient amounts of cholesterol, your digestive system can be adversely affected.

It also plays an essential role in your brain, which contains about 25 percent of the cholesterol in your body. It is critical for synapse formation, i.e. the connections between your neurons, which allow you to think, learn new things, and form memories. In fact, there’s reason to believe that low-fat diets and/or cholesterol-lowering drugs may cause or contribute to Alzheimer’s disease3. Low cholesterol levels have also been linked to violent behavior, due to adverse changes in brain chemistry.

Furthermore, you need cholesterol to produce steroid hormones, including your sex hormones. Vitamin D is also synthesized from a close relative of cholesterol: 7-dehydrocholesterol.

To further reinforce the importance of cholesterol, I want to remind you of the work of Dr. Stephanie Seneff, who also works with the Weston A. Price Foundation. One of her theories is that cholesterol combines with sulfur to form cholesterol sulfate, and that this cholesterol sulfate helps thin your blood by serving as a reservoir for the electron donations you receive when walking barefoot on the earth (also called grounding). She believes that, via this blood-thinning mechanism, cholesterol sulfate may provide natural protection against heart disease. In fact, she goes so far as to hypothesize that heart disease is likely the result ofcholesterol deficiency — which of course is the complete opposite of the conventional view.

Identifying Risk Factors for Heart Disease

Heart disease is clearly one of the leading causes of death in the US, making it imperative for the vast majority of people to understand the risk factors in order to avoid becoming a statistic. However, total cholesterol will tell you virtually nothing about your disease risk, unless it’s exceptionally elevated (above 330 or so, which would be suggestive of familial hypercholesterolemia, which, in my view, would be about the only time a cholesterol-reducing drug would be appropriate).

Two ratios that are far better indicators of heart disease risk are:

• 1. Your HDL/total cholesterol ratio: HDL percentage is a very potent heart disease risk factor. Just divide your HDL level by your total cholesterol. This percentage should ideally be above 24 percent. Below 10 percent, it’s a significant indicator of risk for heart disease

  2. Your triglyceride/HDL ratios: This percentage should ideally be below 2

Four additional risk factors for heart disease are:

Enjoying a bowl of oatmeal is an easy yet effective way to reduce your cholesterol levels. It is full of soluble fiber and reduces the absorption of cholesterol and lowers bad cholesterol levels.

One and one-half cups of cooked oatmeal or one cup of oat bran contain approximately three grams of soluble fiber, beta-glucan. You can also add fruits and nuts such as apples, bananas, strawberries, and walnuts to your oatmeal for added health benefits.

8. Fish Oil

Fish oils and fatty fish such as mackerel, tuna, trout, herring, salmon, bluefish, sardines, and the like are packed with omega-3 fatty acids. They help lower triglycerides (fats in the blood) and prevent heart disease.

Consume about one to four grams of fish oil per day. If you have adopted a vegan or vegetarian diet, then include ground flaxseeds, which are also rich in omega-3 fatty acids, in your diet.

9. Red Yeast Rice

• • 1. Your fasting insulin level: Any meal or snack high in carbohydrates like fructose and refined grains generates a rapid rise in blood glucose and then insulin to compensate for the rise in blood sugar. The insulin released from eating too many carbs promotes fat and makes it more difficult for your body to shed excess weight, and excess fat, particularly around your belly, is one of the major contributors to heart disease

    2. Your fasting blood sugar level: Studies have shown that people with a fasting blood sugar level of 100-125 mg/dl had a nearly 300 percent increase higher risk of having coronary heart disease than people with a level below 79 mg/dl

    3. Your waist circumference: Visceral fat, the type of fat that collects around your internal organs, is a well-recognized risk factor for heart disease. The simplest way to evaluate your risk here is by simply measuring your waist circumference. For further instructions, please see my previous article, Your Waist Size Can Be a Powerful Predictor of Hypertension and Other Chronic Diseases

Red yeast rice contains compounds known as monacolins that inhibit cholesterol synthesis and hence help lower cholesterol. Simply put, it is rice fermented by red yeast (monascus purpureus). For thousands of years, it has been used in China for medicinal purposes. You can get red yeast rice tablets from pharmacies or health food stores.

For high cholesterol, take 1200 to 2400 mg of the supplement once or twice daily. Studies have shown that this dietary supplement can decrease total and LDL (‘bad’) cholesterol levels. However, be cautious while taking these supplements as their proper dosage and long-term effects are still unclear.

Besides, some red yeast rice products may contain lovastatin and other chemicals that may cause side effects. It is best to consult your doctor before you start taking them. Do not take these supplements during pregnancy, breastfeeding or when suffering from liver problems.

10. Nuts

• 1. Your iron level: Iron can be a very potent oxidative stress, so if you have excess iron levels you can damage your blood vessels and increase your risk of heart disease. Ideally, you should monitor your ferritin levels and make sure they are not much above 80 ng/ml. The simplest way to lower them if they are elevated is to donate your blood. If that is not possible you can have a therapeutic phlebotomy and that will effectively eliminate the excess iron from your body

Walnuts, almonds, peanuts, hazelnuts, pistachios, pecans, and other nuts and seeds are useful in controlling high cholesterol because they are rich in plant sterols and fiber. Walnuts, in particular, have been found to help lower total cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

So, now you have a good reason to enjoy a handful (one and one-half ounces) of delicious roasted nuts regularly; but do not overdo it. Also, increase your consumption of whole grains and other high-fiber foods.

Along with these home remedies, it is essential to make healthy diet and lifestyle choices. Eliminate trans fats from your diet; they increase your LDL (‘bad’ cholesterol) and decrease your HDL (‘good’ cholesterol). Plus, eat a diet high in vitamin C (100 to200 mg per day) to help lower cholesterol.

What You Need to Know about LDL and HDL with Respect to Heart Disease

LDL and HDL stand for low-density lipoprotein and high-density lipoprotein respectively. While most people talk about them as if they’re different types of cholesterol, these lipoproteins are actually carriers for cholesterol in the blood. According to Dr. Masterjohn:

According to Dr. Masterjohn, the researchers claim this failure was not related to the specific function of the drug, but rather that it had “off-target toxicity” that ended up putting people in mortal danger. He mentions another drug, Anacetrapib, which does the same thing as the failed Torcetrapib. So far, the short-term results have been promising, but the short-term results for Torcetrapib had also seemed promising, so I join him in issuing a warning well ahead of time that this drug — if released — is probably going to have some pretty significant detrimental side effects…

Proper LDL Turnover is Important for Prevention of Heart Disease

Dr. Masterjohn points out that just because the total to HDL cholesterol ratio predicts heart disease doesn’t mean that it causesheart disease.

There are two primary governors of LDL receptor activity:

• 1. Individual cells: Individual cells retrieve needed cholesterol by taking in LDL particles from your blood

1. Thyroid hormone

According to Dr. Masterjohn, when the total cholesterol to HDL cholesterol ratio increases, it may indicate poor LDL turnover and poor metabolism of the cholesterol, meaning your body is not using the available cholesterol appropriately. When your cells are not metabolizing cholesterol properly, the LDL carrier particles will stick around in your circulatory system longer, placing them at greater risk for oxidation and damage. And that’s when the LDL particles become harmful.

Now, as just mentioned, thyroid hormone is a communication molecule that helps govern LDL receptor activity. So when your thyroid hormone is not working properly, your LDL receptor activity will also be affected. Thyroid hormone, in turn, is governed in part by insulin. Insulin may even have a direct impact on promoting LDL receptor activity, according to Dr. Masterjohn.

I’ve long stated that insulin resistance is at the root of virtually every chronic disease known to man, and this again strengthens my position that normalizing your insulin sensitivity should be your top priority if you seek to stop or reverse the progression of any disease process, or to optimize your health and prevent disease in the first place.

The Importance of Vitamin K2 for Heart Health

There’s another important contributor to a healthy vascular system and that’s vitamin K2, which is responsible for the integration of calcium into arterial plaque caused by oxidized LDL particles. It’s critical for keeping your arteries squeaky clean, and works in conjunction with a number of other nutrients, most important of which are vitamin D, calcium and magnesium. Vitamin K2 is found primarily in fermented foods and animal fats. The best sources of it that most people consume are egg yolks and cheese, especially hard cheeses.

According to Dr. Masterjohn, animal studies have shown you can likely reverse arterial calcification with high doses of vitamin K2. This would not surprise me in the least, especially if you also optimize other nutritional variables that we know tend to normalize your cholesterol profiles, such as increasing consumption of healthful fats and restricting your intake of vegetable oils.

Are You Getting Enough Vitamin K2 to Protect Your Heart?

The optimal amounts of vitamin K2 are still under investigation, but it seems likely that 180 to 200 micrograms of vitamin K2 should be enough to activate your body’s K2-dependent proteins to shuttle the calcium where it needs to be, and remove it from the places where it shouldn’t.

As I’ve discussed on numerous occasions, vitamin D is a critical nutrient for optimal health and is best obtained from sun exposure or a safe tanning bed. However, many are taking oral vitamin D, which can actually be problematic unless you’re also getting sufficient amounts of vitamin K2. In fact, this is a really crucial point that has not been emphasized enough in the past: If you opt for oral vitamin D, you need to also consume in your food or take supplemental vitamin K2.

Why? Because when you take vitamin D, your body creates more vitamin K2-dependent proteins — the proteins that help move the calcium around in your body. But you need vitamin K2 to activate those proteins. If they’re not activated, the calcium in your body will not be properly distributed and can lead to weaker bones and hardened arteries.

In short, vitamin K2 ensures the calcium is deposited and removed from the appropriate areas. By taking vitamin D, you’re creating an increased demand for K2. And vitamin D and K2 work together to strengthen your bones and improve your heart health.

My favorite source of vitamin K2 is fermented vegetables made with a special starter culture designed to cultivate vitamin K2-producing bacteria. We recently had samples of high-quality fermented organic vegetables made with our specific starter culture tested, and were shocked to discover that not only does a typical serving of about two to three ounces contain about 10 trillionbeneficial bacteria, but it also contained 500 mcg of vitamin K2.

Please note that not every strain of bacteria makes K2. For example, most yogurts have almost no vitamin K2. Certain types of cheeses are very high in K2, and others are not. It really depends on the specific bacteria. You can’t assume that any fermented food will be high in K2, but some fermented foods are very high in K2, such as natto.