Causes of High Blood Cholesterol and Home Remedies

Cholesterol is essential for life. But a person with high blood cholesterol can suffer from high Blood Pressure, stroke or heart attack. Normal Cholesterol level is 150-250mg/100ml. Cholesterol is bound with 2 main types of lipo proteins – Low Density Lipo protein (LDL) which is harmful and deposits cholesterol in blood vessels and High Density Lipo protein (HDL) that beneficially removes cholesterol from circulation. Risk of heart attack decreases by 2% with every 1% reduction of cholesterol.

Causes of High Blood Cholesterol

Excessive consumption of milk products, fried foods, white flour, eggs, fish and meat; drinking alcohol, smoking, irregularity in habits and stress are the main factors.

Home Cures for High Blood Cholesterol

• Firstly increase level of High Density Lipoprotein and reduce Low Density Lipoprotein. Saturated fat should be replaced with polyunsaturated fats like sesame, soybeans, safflower and corn oil. Men can consume 300 milligram and women 275 milligram of cholesterol per day.
• Fiber rich whole cereals, unprocessed wheat bran, vegetables like celery, lettuce, lady finger, cabbage; fruits like guava and mango; legumes like beetroot, carrot, turnip and potato and oat-bran lowers LDL cholesterol.
• Non-pasteurized milk, whole grain cereals, vegetable oils, egg yolk and soybeans contain lecithin that breaks up cholesterol into pieces and prevents deposits on the walls of arteries and veins.
• Wheat germ, bran and yeast contain Vitamin B6, Vitamin Choline and Vitamin Inositol that reduce blood cholesterol.
• Vitamin E increases blood lecithin and reduces cholesterol.
• Drink at least 8-10 glasses of water everyday as it facilitates elimination of excessive cholesterol.
• Decoction prepared by boiling dry seeds of coriander with water should be strained and consumed regularly.
• Bicycling, brisk walking, playing badminton, jogging or swimming lowers LDL and raises HDL level and helps in circulation of blood to every part of the body.
• Yoga helps lower blood cholesterol and increases systemic activity.
• 10 minute cold hip baths twice a day and steam baths are also beneficial.