High cholesterol: A popular fiber supplement can help reduce the absorption of LDL, or harmful lipids, in the body.

KEY POINTS TO NOTE

• Doctors frequently prescribe statins to people who have a persistent high (LDL) cholesterol condition.
• Though there's no doubting that statins can save your life, it's also true that using natural components to lower cholesterol levels can benefit your body.
• This herb, which is also a supplement, aids in lowering the amount of cholesterol absorbed by your body.

Ghee, butter, and cheese should all be avoided. Too much advise on how to control or lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL), popularly known as "bad cholesterol," has resulted in a series of bans on foods we enjoy.

We all know that high LDL levels and a lack of HDL (good cholesterol), which helps to moderate LDL, are key risk factors for heart disease and stroke.

If you want to effectively combat LDL - bad cholesterol, you must see your doctor on a regular basis and follow his or her instructions. The necessity to follow the cholesterol-lowering medicine regimen and make healthy lifestyle modifications recommended by the doctor is critical.

Ask your doctor what herbs and supplements with "cholesterol-lowering" characteristics are available to you as a supplement to your medications and lifestyle changes.

Author Cathy Wong explains why cholesterol is such a health problem in an essay for VeryWellHealth.com, as well as which herbs and supplements can help lower "bad" cholesterol and raise "good" cholesterol. It also looks at alternative ways to lower high cholesterol and your risk of heart disease in general.

Is all cholesterol harmful to your health?

Some forms of cholesterol, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), are necessary for optimum health. Cholesterol is required by your body for critical functions such as hormone production and cell formation. Cholesterol is carried through the bloodstream via lipoproteins, which are proteins. Lipoproteins are two types of proteins that transport cholesterol throughout the body:

• The majority of your body's cholesterol is LDL (low-density lipoprotein), also known as "bad" cholesterol. High LDL cholesterol levels increase your risk of heart disease and stroke.
• The "good" cholesterol, HDL (high-density lipoprotein), transports cholesterol back to the liver. It is then flushed from the body by the liver. High HDL cholesterol levels can reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke.

When your body has too much LDL cholesterol, it can build up in the walls of your blood vessels, causing plaque to form and clogging the blood circulation pipeline. Heart attacks and strokes can be caused by any obstructions or limits in the blood flow to the heart.

So, what is a safe level of cholesterol in the blood?

In addition to other lipids, total cholesterol is the sum of two forms of cholesterol:

• The amount of LDL cholesterol in your blood is greater than 100 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL).
• HDL cholesterol is less than 60 milligrams per deciliter.
• The total cholesterol level is more than 200 mg/dL.

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Herbal Remedies and Supplements

Some people use herbs and supplements to help lower their "bad" LDL cholesterol and raise their "good" HDL cholesterol, either on their own or in conjunction with prescription drugs. There are exceptions to the rule, as many of these natural therapies are not well backed by research.

Niacin, soluble fiber, Omega-3, and phytosterols (plant-extract sterols and stanols) are among the supplements with some established advantages.

Niacin (Vitamin B3), commonly known as nicotinic acid, is a cholesterol-lowering supplement. Niacin appears to lower LDL cholesterol and triglycerides while concurrently increasing "good" HDL cholesterol levels in the blood. Niacin is accessible as a prescription medication as well as a nutritional supplement. Patients should only use the prescription type of niacin to decrease cholesterol, according to the American Heart Association. Niacin should not be used as a self-medication because it interferes with the effects of blood pressure medications. Nausea, indigestion, gas, diarrhoea, and gout are all possible side effects. It can aggravate peptic ulcers, cause liver inflammation, and raise blood sugar levels.

Soluble Fibre: In comparison, soluble fibre in food tends to be safer, so ask your doctor about prescription it if it's good for you. It reduces the quantity of cholesterol absorbed in the intestines, resulting in a reduction in harmful LDL cholesterol. Soluble fiber helps reduce cholesterol absorption into your system, according to the Mayo Clinic (https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-cholesterol/in-depth/cholesterol/art-20045192). Saturating your diet with five to ten grams of soluble fiber each day lowers your LDL cholesterol. 3 to 4 grams of fiber per serving of breakfast cereal with oatmeal or oat bran You can get even more fiber by adding fruit, such as a banana or berries. Kidney beans, Brussels sprouts, apples, and pears are all high in soluble fiber. However, consult your doctor because certain foods can interfere with the effectiveness of your cholesterol medications.

Fish and omega-3 fatty acids: According to the Mayo Clinic, fatty fish has high levels of omega-3 fatty acids, which can help lower your triglycerides. What are triglycerides, and what do they do? This is a form of fat that can be discovered in the bloodstream. Though Omega-3 fatty acids have no effect on LDL cholesterol levels, research reveals that eating Omega-3-rich foods lowers blood pressure and lowers the risk of blood clots while also sponging off triglycerides. Omega-3 fatty acids may lower the risk of sudden death in those who have already had a heart attack. Fish should be consumed at least twice a week, according to the American Heart Association. But, if fish is cooked in a greasy manner, won't that make it a worse diet for someone with high cholesterol? Mayo Clinic recommends baking or grilling the fish to prevent adding unhealthy fats.

PHYTOSTEROLS — Sterols and stanols: Sterols and stanols are plant-derived compounds that aid to prevent cholesterol absorption. Foods fortified with sterols or stanols are accessible in nations such as the United States. LDL cholesterol can be reduced by using margarine and orange juice with added plant sterols. According to Mayo Clinic, adding 2 grams of sterol to your diet every day can lower your LDL cholesterol by 5 to 15%. Inquire with your doctor about similar choices available in your area or nation.

A Harvard study explains why fiber is so beneficial to our health:

According to Harvard Health, investigators aggregated the data of 243 studies looking at the health consequences of dietary fiber in a new study published in The Lancet. The focus of this study was on the fiber obtained from eating whole foods. Supplemental fiber was not included in this study.

Researchers found a substantial link between higher dietary fiber intake and improved health outcomes after analyzing data from over 4,600 participants. In general, consuming at least 25 grams of dietary fiber per day is linked to decreased weight, blood pressure, blood sugars, cholesterol, and the risk of getting (or dying from) diabetes, heart disease, strokes, and breast or colon cancer. Unfortunately, most of us consume less than 20 grams of fiber each day, according to the Harvard study. To avoid missing out on all that nutritious fibre, carbs should be found in whole grains, legumes, and fruit. Include whole grains, legumes, and vegetables in your daily or weekly thrice-daily or weekly-thrice-daily or weekly-thrice-daily or weekly-thrice-daily or weekly

Disclaimer: The tips and suggestions offered in this article are for educational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advise. If you have any particular questions concerning a medical matter, always see your doctor or a skilled healthcare provider.