Dyslipidemia

Dyslipidemia is a condition that is characterized by abnormal levels of lipids in the blood.  Blood lipids are fatty substances, such as triglycerides and cholesterol.  The term Dyslipidemia can describe a wide range of conditions, but the most common forms include: 

• High levels of triglycerides
• High levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), or bad cholesterol
• High cholesterol, which means that triglyceride and LDL levels are high
• Low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), or good cholesterol

Although healthy blood lipid levels vary from person to person, someone with high LDL cholesterol levels and low HDL cholesterol levels usually has a higher risk of Dyslipidemia.  These high levels can cause atherosclerosis, which is characterized by hardened plaque accumulation in blood vessels.  That makes it difficult for blood to flow, which can cause other issues over time. 

Since Dyslipidemia is characterized by high LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels, the following natural remedies are intended to help lower cholesterol and blood pressure levels.  Some of the following remedies have proven to be successful, but each one may not work for everyone.  Experiment with the following remedies and see if they improve your situation:

• Hawthorn is an herb, of which the fruits, leaves, and flowers have been used by cultures since the Ancient Roman Empire.  Some initial studies have found hawthorn to be an effective treatment for milder forms of heart failure.  Some of the research is conflicting, though, and more research is necessary because hawthorn may negatively interact with prescription medications and other herbs. 
• Increasing your intake of both soluble and insoluble fiber may help you decrease LDL cholesterol levels.  Fiber helps to lower LDL in a couple ways.  If you eat foods that are high in fat or cholesterol, fiber acts like a sponge, absorbing the cholesterol to keep levels down in the bloodstream.  Soluble fiber works to lower cholesterol, even if you eat a low-fat and low-cholesterol diet, by preventing blood sugar spikes that trigger the body to produce more cholesterol.
• Limit your intake of alcohol because alcohol affects cholesterol in a couple ways.  Of course, the effect it has on your cholesterol depends on how much you consume.  Drinking more than moderate levels of alcohol can increase triglyceride levels.  As of now, the science isn't exactly clear on how much alcohol raises the risk of high cholesterol, but experts don't encourage drinking more than one drink per day. 
• Since smoking cigarettes can increase the risk of Dyslipidemia, it is wise to stop smoking.  Smoking lowers HDL cholesterol and raises LDL cholesterol.  When you stop smoking, you can commonly experience lower LDL levels and higher HDL levels, which is beneficial for your heart. 
• According to research, garlic may help lower blood pressure, reduce the LDL cholesterol levels, and slow the progression of atherosclerosis.  Some studies found that taking garlic for one to three months helped lower cholesterol levels.  Another study, however, didn't reveal long-term efficacy of three garlic preparations on blood cholesterol. 
• Astragalus is an herb that has a long history of use in Traditional Chinese Medicine.  It works to support the immune system and exhibits antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activity.  Because it is an adaptogen, the theory is that it helps protect the body against various stressors.  Limited research suggests that astragalus may benefit the heart, but high quality clinical human trials are lacking. More research is necessary to determine how astragalus affects cholesterol levels and overall heart health.