Cholesterol and fat are two separate entities. A person does not have to be overweight to have a cholesterol problem.
Lowering Your Cholesterol
Before I start with how to lower cholesterol, let me explain that anyone can have high cholesterol. Cholesterol and fat are two separate entities. A person does not have to be overweight to have a cholesterol problem.
Cholesterol keywords:
HDL --- this is the good cholesterol. Your body can handle this cholesterol. It handles the bad cholesterol and takes it away. Always get confused on which one is good and which is bad? HDL --- what your body can hdl (handle).
LDL --- this is the bad cholesterol. This is the one that you want to keep around 100. Keep a lid on the LDL.
Triglycerides --- This comes from the food you eat and is produced in your body by the liver. You want your triglycerides to be under 150.
The body needs cholesterol. That is why it is produced in the liver. It helps the formation of hormones, bile salts, and transports fats in the bloodstream to tissues in the body.
Cholesterol levels are influenced by diet, heredity and metabolic diseases (for example, diabetes).
Fats:
Saturated fats: They are usually found in milk, butter, cheese and meat.
Unsaturated fats: Fish, chicken, turkey and most vegetable oils
Polyunsaturated fats: these are the omega’s and fatty acids found in cooking oils, fish, etc. These are the fats that stay in liquid form in room temperature. You hear doctors say to use polyunsaturated fats. (Just do not forget your antioxidants)
Hydrogenated oils: Not good because they have added hydrogen to them and that does not sit well in the body when combined with fats.
The most important thing is to read the labels!
This is not a thorough list but if you notice there is a consistency of what direction you should go.
All fresh fruits and vegetables
The veggies should be steamed, grilled or baked. If you boil the vegetables, use the water. It has many of the nutrients in there. Do not fry your vegetables.
All foods that are antioxidants (you need antioxidants to fight cholesterol)
For example: fruit, veggies, nuts, grains, and seafood
Fiber is a necessity for reducing cholesterol.
You will find fiber in pretty much all plant foods. Potatoes with the skins, beans, fruit, vegetables, wheat, bran, oatmeal, nuts
Another thing most people seem to forget. Drink fluids. Fluids without fake sugar, without sugar, or added anything. Yes, I mean water, plain, simple water. You need to drink at least eight glasses of water a day. Not flavored water, power drink water or anything that can be construed as any kind of flavored drink hidden behind a “we put vitamins in this drink for you”. Ok, you can cheat if you put a slice of fresh fruit in the water, like oranges, limes or lemons, etc.
Have you noticed I have not said much about red meats? I believe we need red meat. Am I an expert? No. However, I do not eat red meat everyday. I would say we probably consume red meat once a week. It is a good number for me. I am working my way to lowering cholesterol myself.
Exercise! Reduce coffee consumption. Stop smoking. (Yes, they say it does effect your cholesterol) Take it easy on the sugars. Go natural, but do it slowly. (Listen to your doctor) We do not want your body to rebel.
Now that we covered foods, let’s go to herbs that are good for cholesterol.
Make tea infusions or make a tonic that you can refrigerate for the week.
There are probably thirty herbs you can use. Here are a few that will get you started:
Fenugreek, flax seed, garlic, green tea, violet, nettles, and red clover are a few herbs that can help lower cholesterol, clear the intestines, (cholesterols come out through the intestines too), help the heart, and are blood cleansers.
Key points:
Read the labels.
Eat fresh fruit and vegetables, fish (no excuses), fiber, nuts, etc. In other words, follow a balanced diet.
Exercise.
Drink water.
A simple herb recipe for a tonic to help reduce cholesterol
1 teaspoon of each
Fenugreek, green tea, nettles, red clover
Boil 2 cups of water. Take off the burner and add the herbs, cover. Let steep for 30 minutes. (The longer it steeps the stronger the tonic) Add honey or lemon for taste. (Not too much honey, that can affect cholesterol, too)
When it cools drain and squeeze out every bit of juice you can get. Place in a container with a secure lid. Keep refrigerated. Take 1 tablespoon a day.
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