High cholesterol is one of the most common health ailments that can lead to heart disease. Too much cholesterol can clog your arteries and cause a heart attack or lead to arteriosclerosis. Did you know that you don’t have to take medication to reduce your cholesterol levels? You can use fresh ingredients to naturally get rid of bad cholesterol in the body.
There is good cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein or HDL) and bad cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein). HDL helps to control LDL levels and helps keep blood vessels healthy. The goal is to maintain healthy HDL levels because the cells in your body need it. All you have to do is make small changes to get your cholesterol down to a healthy level.
When it comes to using foods to naturally lower cholesterol, it is best to eat a healthy plant-based diet that consists of fresh fruits, vegetables, legumes, and nuts and seeds. Consuming dairy products, meat, meat products, added sugars, and processed foods will only raise cholesterol levels, so we suggest not eating them.
It is also best to avoid cholesterol-lowering medications because they can cause memory loss, muscle pain, and elevated liver enzymes. Naturally lower your LDL levels and support HDL levels by following the tips below.
#1: Garlic
Garlic is a superfood with anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties. It can help you avoid clogged arteries by preventing cholesterol from sticking to arterial walls. You’ll reap the most benefits by eating garlic in its raw form. You can add garlic to juices, dressings, or sauces. Eat at least 2-4 cloves a day.
#2: Coriander
You may be more familiar with cilantro, which grows from coriander seeds. Generally used in curries or sauces, this aromatic spice helps increase HDL levels while decreasing LDL levels. Boil 1 cup of water with 1 tablespoon of coriander seeds and let it simmer for 3 minutes. Strain the tea and drink when it is palatable. You should drink this once or twice a day.
#3: Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is the mother of all herbal remedies. It helps to improve the pH balance in the body and can reduce skin rashes or calm conditions like psoriasis or dermatitis. If you want to lower blood pressure and LDL levels, apple cider vinegar is what you need. Mix 1-2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in 1 cup of warm water. Drink this once or twice a day to see results.
#4: Oatmeal
For this remedy, it is important that you don’t buy pre-packaged or flavored oatmeal. Those processed ingredients only contribute to bad cholesterol build-up. You want to get steel cut oats because they are a great source of fiber that helps prevent cholesterol from entering the bloodstream. Eat one bowl of oatmeal a day to see positive results. You can add fresh berries, raw almonds, and bananas for more benefits.
#5: Cinnamon
While this is a classic dessert spice, cinnamon can actually support weight loss and can cut down your bad cholesterol by 18%. It cannot solely lower your cholesterol, but you can combine it with other remedies in this article. Brew some cinnamon tea by boiling 1 cup of water with ¼ cup of cinnamon sticks. Strain the tea and you can drink it warm or let it cool. You may need to sweeten it with a little stevia or agave syrup.
#6: Onions
Onions have been known to bring down cholesterol levels because of their quercetin content. Cooking onions can reduce the potency of this powerful flavonoid, which is why it is more beneficial to consume raw onions. Since onions aren’t the most popular vegetable to eat raw, try making an onion tonic. Quarter one red onion and blend it. Strain the juice through a cheesecloth or fine mesh strainer. Mix an equal amount of raw honey into the onion juice and sip on this daily.
Vincent Stevens is the senior content writer at Dherbs. As a fitness and health and wellness enthusiast, he enjoys covering a variety of topics, including the latest health, fitness, beauty, and lifestyle trends. His goal is to inform people of different ways they can improve their overall health, which aligns with Dherbs’ core values. He received his bachelor’s degree in creative writing from the University of Redlands, graduating summa cum laude. He lives in Los Angeles, CA.
