How To Lower Cholesterol Naturally And Live Longer

Elevated Cholesterol has been conclusively proven to be an independent risk factor for heart disease and strokes. The importance of screening, evaluating and treating elevated cholesterol levels cannot be stressed enough. Research has clearly shown that reducing elevated cholesterol levels can reduce the risk of heart disease. 1 in 2 men and 1 in 3 women develop heart disease at some point of their lives and annually millions of people are succumbing to fatal heart attacks the world over. It is thus imperative that one gets his or her cholesterol levels checked and institute appropriate measures to reduce elevated cholesterol.

What makes Cholesterol levels high? Several factors are involved in a complex relationship to bring about the ultimate end point - Elevated Cholesterol levels.

• Heredity: Chances are pretty high that an individual has elevated Cholesterol levels if a blood-relative has the same problem. Genes influence how much ‘bad’ Cholesterol (LDL) is present in the body, how fast it is made and removed from the body.
• Diet: Saturated fats and animal products influence the levels of bad cholesterol in the body.
• Obesity: Excess weight increases the amounts of LDL cholesterol, triglycerides and reduces the ‘good’ cholesterol (HDL) in the body.
• Exercise: Regular physical activity increases the good cholesterol and lowers the bad cholesterol and the vice-versa happens in sedentary people.
• Stress: High levels of stress can affect the levels of cholesterol.
• Alcohol: In moderation alcohol has some beneficial effects but when consumed in excess alcohol is detrimental to overall heart health.
• Age and sex: After menopause women tend to follow the same patterns as men in terms of cholesterol metabolism.

How can you lower elevated cholesterol levels?
Simple lifestyle changes like watching what you eat, undertaking some form of regular exercise, shedding extra kilos, reducing alcohol intake, cutting down on smoking can help reduce the cholesterol levels. These measures cannot alter your genes or sex but are nevertheless extremely important. Medications to lower elevated cholesterol are available on prescription and should be resorted to if there is a definite need.

Herbs and natural products have been around for quite some time and interest in them have been renewed especially in the light of some prescription medications coming under the scanner for detrimental side effects. Following is a list of natural products that are proven to reduce elevated cholesterol levels.

• Vitamin B Complex: These reduce the oxidization of LDL cholesterol which is the first step in the formation of plaques in the arterial walls.
• Carnitine increases HDL levels and reduces total cholesterol levels.
• Chromium: Reduces LDL and increases HDL.
• Coenzyme Q 10: Reduces total cholesterol.
• Fiber: Fiber in diet binds to cholesterol and decreases their intestinal absorption.
• Garlic: Has been widely used for its cholesterol-lowering potential.
• Pantothine: Reduces total cholesterol and increases HDL.
• Grape seed extract, Soy and Vitamin C: Reduce total cholesterol levels.
• Royal jelly: Reduces cholesterol levels by blocking the cholesterol-elevating effects of Nicotine.
• Red yeast rice: Contains a natural form of the Statin - Lovastatin. Lowers cholesterol levels.

The primary initiative on the part of the person with elevated cholesterol levels should be lifestyle modifications before resorting to prescription drugs. Natural remedies are an attractive safe and effective alternative to prescription drugs to lower cholesterol.