Lower Cholesterol Without Medications

What is Cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a waxy substance normally present in animal tissues. In the human body, cholesterol is measured by the total cholesterol in the bloodstream. Elevated levels of blood cholesterol pose health risks such as an increased risk for heart diseases and stroke. Hence, one should maintain healthy levels of cholesterol. Medications could help lower cholesterol levels, but one should opt to lower cholesterol levels naturally.

Despite its known health risks, cholesterol plays a vital role in a number of important biological processes. The liver produces cholesterol and packed them into lipoproteins, which allows it to be transported to other parts of the body where it is needed. Cholesterol may accumulate in areas where it should not be. People should find ways to lower cholesterol level so that consequences associated with it would be prevented.

Lower Cholesterol to Avoid Health Risks

The body has two types of lipoprotein which transport cholesterol in the bloodstream. These are low-density lipoprotein (LDL)and high-density lipoprotein (HDL). HDL is considered as the good cholesterol because it prevents accumulation of fats. It also performs a protective function for the arteries because it carries excess cholesterol away from the arteries to liver for excretion. In contrast, LDL is referred to as the bad cholesterol because it can contribute to atherosclerosis. LDL cholesterol may deposit fats within the walls of the arteries and narrows it. Health risks could be prevented with lower cholesterol level, specifically LDL.

Lifestyle, diet and genetic factors could tip the balance between LDL and HDL, which encourage the occurrence of health risks. Many health organizations suggested cutting intake of dietary cholesterol as part of the effort to lower cholesterol levels. Obesity has been one of the biggest health issues especially in developed countries. Obese individuals have high cholesterol levels and thus have higher risk for heart disorders related to cholesterol. To avoid all the health consequences of high cholesterol, people, especially obese individuals, should embark on a diet and exercise program to lower cholesterol to desired levels.

Natural Ways to Lower Cholesterol

Natural ways to lower cholesterol offer tremendous benefit to ones health. Though it could be easier to drop levels of cholesterol with medications, the adverse consequences of cholesterol medications make it an unlikely treatment. Liver damage could be just one of the potential harm caused by cholesterol medications. More importantly, one cannot be assured that such medications would work for them. There are better ways to lower cholesterol. Eliminating high saturated fat from the diet is just one of the ways.

It was also found that exercising regularly regulates total blood cholesterol. Dietary changes alone could not restore that balance between HDL and LDL. It must be coupled with exercise. Exercising regularly for at least three months have been found to result in positive physiological changes such as improved fat metabolism. In addition, cholesterol supplements could also help lower cholesterol levels naturally.With cholesterol supplements, one could lower cholesterol levels without the side effects of cholesterol medications.