Heart disease: 5 foods that can help control your blood cholesterol levels
Cholesterol is essential for our body to build healthy cells. It is a waxy substance found in your blood. There are two major forms of cholesterol: High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol also called "good" cholesterol and Low-density lipoprotein (LDL), also known as "bad" cholesterol. Cholesterol helps in keeping cell membranes intact, aids in metabolism of vitamins A, D, E and K. It also needed to produce hormones such as cortisol, estrogen and testosterone. However, high levels of cholesterol can lead to development of fatty deposits in your blood vessels and increase your heart disease risk. Blood cholesterol levels above 200 milligrams per 100 ml of blood are linked to high blood pressure and other cardiovascular diseases. Fortunately, there are a few herbs that can help control your blood cholesterol levels. They are –
Flaxseed--Flaxseed is a rich source of fibre that can help reduce cholesterol levels in your blood. Fibre can bind with cholesterol and get it excreted from the body. When there is too much cholesterol in your blood, it will get deposited on the walls of your arteries and lead to heart disease.
Garlic--Garlic contains sulfurous compounds that can help reduce the levels of LDL cholesterol while simultaneously increasing HDL cholesterol levels. These compounds can also help to prevent deposition of cholesterol on the arterial walls.
Fenugreek--Fenugreek seeds are also loaded with fibre. Also, the steroidal saponins present in fenugreek aid in controlling cholesterol levels. They help reduce cholesterol production in the body and absorption of cholesterol from the food we eat.
Green Tea--Green tea is rich in antioxidants – especially epigallocatechin gallate – that can fight LDL cholesterol. Two to three cups of green tea every day may do the wonders to your body.
Turmeric--This herb plays can lower the concentrations of LDL cholesterol in your body. Turmeric also helps to reduce the plaque build-up on the arterial walls and protect against atherosclerosis, a form of heart disease.
Flaxseed--Flaxseed is a rich source of fibre that can help reduce cholesterol levels in your blood. Fibre can bind with cholesterol and get it excreted from the body. When there is too much cholesterol in your blood, it will get deposited on the walls of your arteries and lead to heart disease.
Garlic--Garlic contains sulfurous compounds that can help reduce the levels of LDL cholesterol while simultaneously increasing HDL cholesterol levels. These compounds can also help to prevent deposition of cholesterol on the arterial walls.
Fenugreek--Fenugreek seeds are also loaded with fibre. Also, the steroidal saponins present in fenugreek aid in controlling cholesterol levels. They help reduce cholesterol production in the body and absorption of cholesterol from the food we eat.
Green Tea--Green tea is rich in antioxidants – especially epigallocatechin gallate – that can fight LDL cholesterol. Two to three cups of green tea every day may do the wonders to your body.
Turmeric--This herb plays can lower the concentrations of LDL cholesterol in your body. Turmeric also helps to reduce the plaque build-up on the arterial walls and protect against atherosclerosis, a form of heart disease.