High cholesterol often is caused by unhealthy lifestyle choices like a diet high in saturated fats and lack of adequate physical activity.Factors such as obesity, smoking, excessive drinking, aging (arteries tend to narrow with age), genetics, and certain underlying conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and kidney or liver disease also increase the risk of developing this problem.
Cholesterol is a fatty substance present in your blood that is needed for building and maintaining cell membranes, converting sunshine to vitamin D, and other important functions.
* Coriander SeedsResearch has shown that coriander helps lower the levels of total cholesterol, LDL (the ‘bad’ cholesterol), and triglycerides. Coriander seeds also have hypoglycemic effects and can be useful in diabetes management.
- Add two teaspoons of coriander seed powder to one cup of water.
- Boil the mixture and then strain it.
- Drink this once or twice a day. You can add milk, sugar, and cardamom to it and use it as a replacement for your regular tea.
* Onions
Red onions are beneficial in dealing with high cholesterol. Scientists in Hong Kong found that they help reduce bad cholesterol and elevate good cholesterol levels. This, in turn, lowers the risk of developing heart disease.
- Mix one teaspoon each of onion juice and honey. Drink it once daily.
- Add one finely chopped onion and one-quarter teaspoon of pepper to one cup of buttermilk. - Consume it on a regular basis.
Also include onion, ginger, and garlic in your diet.
* Indian GooseberryIndian gooseberry, or amla, acts as a natural hypolipidemic agent, which means that it promotes the reduction of lipid concentrations in the serum. A study published in the International Journal of Medical Research & Health Sciences revealed that this fruit has antihyperlipidemic, anti-atherogenic, and hypolipidemic effects.
- Mix one teaspoon of Indian gooseberry powder, or dried and powdered Indian gooseberries, in a glass of warm water.
- Drink it daily in the morning on an empty stomach.
* Apple Cider VinegarApple cider vinegar helps lower your total cholesterol and triglyceride levels. In addition, it is a great home remedy for a number of ailments including acid reflux, high blood pressure, gout, upper respiratory infections, and others.
- Mix one teaspoon of organic apple cider vinegar in a glass of water.
- Drink this two or three times a day at least for a month.
* Orange JuiceDrinking three cups of fresh orange juice daily can be a great help in reducing blood cholesterol levels naturally because it is rich in vitamin C, folate, and flavonoids.Orange juice fortified with sterols is even better. Studies have shown that about 3 grams of phytosterols a day can help lower total cholesterol by up to 11% and LDL by up to 15%. So, drink two glasses of plant sterol-fortified orange juice per day.