-IBIS-1.7.6-
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cardiovascular system
Hypercholesterolemia
Integrative Therapies
Home Care
Cholesterol is a fat-related substance that is a normal part of most body tissues. It is produced in the liver.
If you obtain a fasting blood test, it will show the level of total cholesterol. This should be lower than 180. Higher levels than this, mean an increased risk of heart disease and strokes. Two other items measured by the blood test are HDL and LDL. High LDL also means an increase in risk for heart disease, while high HDL is a good sign and lowers the risk.
A PROPER DIET TO HELP REDUCE CHOLESTEROL WILL INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:
1. If you are overweight, it is important to get on a sensible diet. Obesity greatly contributes to elevated cholesterol levels. For more information, refer to the article on obesity and weight loss.
2. Omega-3 oils, such as flaxseed and fish oils, reduce cholesterol and boost HDL levels. Take at least 1 to 2 tablespoons or 3 capsules per day.
3. Include at least 3 servings or more of fruits and vegetables per day in your diet.
4. Include beans such as pinto, navy, and kidney beans in your diet on a regular basis.
5. A fiber supplement of psyllium seeds, oat bran, or pectin will bind to cholesterol so it can be excreted. This decreases LDL levels while increasing HDL. Take 1 tablespoon of the supplement at night just before bedtime, in a cup of water.
6. Eliminate or greatly reduce animal fat in your diet. This includes fatty meat, organ foods such as liver, eggs, cheese, milk, butter, sour cream, and other dairy products.
7. Alcohol and sugar intake also need to be kept to a minimum or avoided altogether because these turn into fats in the body.
8. Avoid eating large portions of grains.
THE FOLLOWING SUPPLEMENTS CAN BE USED TO HELP REDUCE CHOLESTEROL LEVELS:
1. Vitamin C 1,000 milligrams twice a day. A low intake of vitamin C is linked to high cholesterol levels.
2. B-complex vitamins 50 milligrams once a day.
3. Calcium carbonate 1,000 milligrams once a day.
4. Vitamin E 400 Units per day.
5. Carnitine 1,000 milligrams per day.
6. Lecithin 1to 2 tablespoons per day.
HERBS USED FOR CHOLESTEROL:
1. Onions, Garlic, and Ginger are recommended for their ability to help lower cholesterol levels. Include them raw as well as cooked in your diet as often as possible. As a garlic source, raw garlic is most likely best, but odor-controlled, enteric-coated tablets standardized for allicin content also appear to be effective.
2. Combine equal parts of fresh minced or grated garlic with fresh minced parsley. Mix with enough honey to make a syrup. Take 1 tablespoon 3 times per day.
3. Alfalfa leaf tea 1 to 2 cups per day. To prepare, add 1 teaspoon of the herb per cup of boiling water and steep.
AS PHYSICAL THERAPY MEASURES:
1. Stress should be dealt with effectively through stress management techniques such as visualization and meditation. For more information, refer to the article on stress reduction.
2. It is important to exercise regularly. Vigorous physical exercise will boost HDL levels. At least 30 minutes 5 times per week should be engaged in physical exercise that will get your heart working vigorously. Brisk walking, aerobics, swimming, tennis, and racquetball are all excellent forms of exercise.
3. Since smoking highly increases risk for heart disease, try to quit. For more information on how to quit smoking, refer to the article on that topic.
Clinic
Footnotes
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