12 Best Herbs to Lower Cholesterol and Beat Heart Disease!

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4. Red Yeast Rice

Red yeast rice has been shown to lower cholesterol in studies and was recently found in some over the counter supplements. The FDA removed some of these, as they felt that these products contained another substance that was too similar to a prescription medication Mevacor. New products have much lower levels of red yeast rice, but you can still find these supplements, it’s just that the FDA will no longer allow them to state that they can lower cholesterol levels. You will find red yeast rice supplements in your local health food store.

5. Fenugreek

Fenugreek has been used to improve digestion for at least one thousand years and it has been proven to not only lower blood cholesterol, but to lower blood sugar levels as well. The extracts of fenugreek, ethyl acetate, has been shown to reduce total cholesterol, LDL (the bad cholesterol), and triglycerides while increasing the good (HDL) cholesterol levels in a study done in 2012. This is because fenugreek has high phenolic and flavonoid compounds. Studies support that fenugreek has hypocholesterolemic effects and high activities of powerful antioxidants.

6. Licorice

Licorice is another powerful herb that is super effective when it comes to lowering cholesterol levels. There have been numerous studies done to determine the effectiveness of licorice on cholesterol levels and almost every single study confirms that this herb is outstanding. Even the American Cancer Society states that licorice is a great source of flavonoids, which are effective when it comes to lowering total cholesterol levels. This herb also appears to prevent the accumulation of cholesterol along the arterial walls. One of the active ingredients in licorice, glabridin, plays a major factor in delaying the oxidation of LDL cholesterol, which is thought to be one of the key agents that contribute to increased levels of cholesterol buildup in the arteries.

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