3 effective home remedies for high cholesterol- Garlic, flaxseeds and barley&nbsp | &nbspPhoto Credit:&nbspGetty Images

New Delhi: High blood cholesterol, also known as hypercholesterolemia, is a medical condition that causes the levels of certain fats that are bad for your health to be too high in the blood. This condition typically doesn’t cause any symptoms, hence, often it is referred to as a ‘silent’ problem. It can be inherited but it’s usually caused by lifestyle factors. Making healthy lifestyle choices such as eating a healthy diet and regular exercise can help reduce cholesterol. In fact, many people are turning to natural home remedies to help manage their condition.

High cholesterol increases your risk of having a heart attack or stroke. If your cholesterol levels remain high despite making lifestyle changes, your doctor might prescribe medication to help control your condition – perhaps, depending on your personal risk factors, age, general health status, etc. In this article, we look at a few natural ingredients that have been shown to reduce cholesterol levels and lower the risk of heart disease.

Try these natural remedies to lower cholesterol levels

Garlic

Often considered as the herbal wonder drug, garlic has been used as a cooking ingredient and remedy for various ailments for thousands of years. Research has shown that garlic may help lower high blood pressure, reduce blood cholesterol levels, thereby slowing the progression of atherosclerosis, as per NCCIH. But like many alternative therapies, studies on the effectiveness of garlic preparations have produced mixed results. Also, a study in the Journal of Nutrition claimed that aged garlic extract could help reduce total cholesterol and LDL(bad) by 7 and 10 per cent, respectively.

Flaxseeds

Well-known for their health-protective properties, these tiny seeds have been shown to lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease, For example, a study in Nutrition and Metabolism suggested that a flaxseed drink caused a reduction in the levels of total cholesterol and LDL (bad) cholesterol by 12 and 15 per cent, respectively.

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Barley

Recent studies have shown that barley contains important vitamins, antioxidants, as well as soluble fibre, all of which may aid in lowering cholesterol levels. It is believed that beta-glucan ( a soluble fibre) found in barley and many whole grains can reduce the absorption of cholesterol and fat into the bloodstream. A study appeared in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition reported that the biggest improvements in total and LDL cholesterol levels were observed in the diets with medium or high levels of beta-glucan. The researchers suggested that adding barley to a healthy diet may effectively help lower total and LDL cholesterol in both men and women.

While the above mentioned ingredients may help lower cholesterol, you should always check with your doctor before trying any of these to determine if they’re safe for you. It may be noted that the ingredients in some natural products/supplements can have cause unwanted side effects or interfere with certain medications.

Disclaimer: Tips and suggestions mentioned in the article are for general information purpose only and should not be construed as professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor or a dietician before starting any fitness programme or making any changes to your diet.