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12 Best Herbs to Lower Cholesterol and Beat Heart Disease!
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With heart disease being the number one killer in America, and a serious problem in many other parts of the world, you want to do all you can to reduce your risk of developing this silent killer. One major way to do this is to control your blood cholesterol levels. Research shows that 1 out of every 2 men and 1 out of every 3 women will develop some type of heart problem at some point in their lives. Despite drugs and widespread information about the importance of keeping blood cholesterol levels low, high cholesterol continues to be quite common.
When there is too much cholesterol in the blood, the excess tends to accumulate along the walls of the arteries, which narrows then, leading to an obstruction of blood flow. When the heart muscle does not get enough blood, problems arise. Sometimes high cholesterol levels are due to genetics, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, alcohol abuse, chronic stress or, generally, a poor diet. Whatever the cause, high cholesterol leads to heart disease.
There are numerous ways you can lower your cholesterol levels, one of them being the consumption of herbs. Here are the 12 most common herbs that have been proven to lower cholesterol levels, and therefore, your risk of heart disease.
1. Garlic
Garlic is the number one herb when it comes to lowering cholesterol and improving circulation to the heart. Extensive studies have been conducted on this popular herb for its ability to regulate cholesterol in the body. Some studies show that it successfully lowers blood cholesterol by a few percentage points, and others show that when garlic is consumed on a frequent (daily) basis, cholesterol levels drop even more dramatically. Garlic also prevents blood clots, which means that if you have high cholesterol, this herb can be really beneficial as blood clots that form around the heart and/or brain are generally fatal. Garlic does thin the blood, so you should always consult your doctor if taking garlic supplements is right for you, especially if you are taking prescription medications or if you are using blood thinners.
2. Policosanol
This cholesterol reducing compound actually comes from sugar cane. There is another variety that is made from beeswax, but the type that is made from beeswax has not been shown to reduce cholesterol levels. If you want to consume this supplement, be certain the product states that it was taken from sugar cane.
3. Turmeric
The potent extract from turmeric, curcumin, is known to protect the body from atherosclerosis. Curcumin also suppresses the accumulation of cholesterol in the blood. The roots of the turmeric plant lower cholesterol levels down to the point that it can greatly reduce your chances of developing heart disease.
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