The issue before you: natural
cholesterol lowering or synthetic cholesterol lowering. Your doctor has told you
that your cholesterol levels are too high and suggests that medications might be
in order. You want to think about it, whether to get on a synthetic
pharmaceutical treatment plan with medications your doctor prescribes, or to
find alternative medications produced from herbs and natural substances.
You are not alone in looking in this direction, in having concerns about putting
too much synthetic into your system. More and more empirical studies are being
undertaken by medical researchers and scientists into natural alternatives to
synthetic drugs. And these ways of natural cholesterol lowering are remarkably
effective.
First, as always, is the lifestyle with plenty of aerobic physical exercise and
a heart healthy diet low on saturated fats and processed foods and high on
vegetables, fruits, whole grains and legumes. A lifestyle where alcohol means
occasional red wine and smoking refers to the fireplace vent you've forgotten to
open.
Second, when other medical conditions or genetic heart conditions call for it,
can be natural cholesterol lowering medications. Some of these herbs and natural
derivatives are familiar to you. The ones listed have been the subject of
empirical scientific study and proven effective. They include fish oils, B
vitamins, garlic, beta-sitosterol, the turmeric spice extract curcumin, the
myrrh tree resin golgul gum, the sugar cane derivative policosanol. These all
lower LDL cholesterol, can raise HDL and often reduce triglycerides.
