Natural ways to lower your cholesterol

Before you become reliant on medication, take a look at some natural ways you can get your cholesterol levels down.

We’ve all known for years how bad for us cholesterol is, but the message doesn’t seem to be getting through; two thirds of Britons over 40 have raised cholesterol levels. This high level of cholesterol increases risk of heart attack and stroke, prompting people to do anything they can to lower it – medication such as statins has become popular with seven million of us using them daily.

Whether you’re already taking medication or you’re trying to put off the inevitable, the following tips should help you lower your cholesterol naturally:

Eat good fats

Newsflash! Not all fat is bad for you. Saturated fats are known enemies of those watching their cholesterol levels, but a diet containing good, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats can be better for you than low-fat diets. These can be found in vegetable oils, nuts and avocados.

Eat your oats

Not only do they make for a nutritious breakfast, oats can help to prevent cholesterol from being absorbed by the body. This is thought to be down to compounds called beta-glucans, which help to bind cholesterol to the gut.

Think positive

The link between our physical health and our psychological health is becoming more and more apparent. Studies show that having an optimistic view on life can have tangible benefits – including lower cholesterol.

De-stress

Stress can cause a long-term rise in cholesterol levels. This could be down to stress causing the body to produce more fatty acids and glucose, which requires the liver to secrete more LDL or ‘bad’ cholesterol.

Shape up

Exercising can stimulate enzymes that help move ‘bad’ cholesterol from the bloodstream to the liver to be excreted. Try any activity that raises your heartbeat such as running, swimming or even housework.

If you want to learn more about natural alternatives, why not take a look at our Therapy Topics?

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