High cholesterol: Nutritionist reveals top prevention tips
High cholesterol is the name given when a person has too much of a fatty substance in their blood. This substance is known as cholesterol and could lead to blockages in the blood vessels culminating in serious health complications. Taking a daily magnesium or green tea extract supplement, however, could help lower your cholesterol and reduce your risk of heart disease.
High cholesterol leads to the formation of plaque in the arteries.
Plaque can narrow arteries so less blood can pass through. The formation of plaque changes the makeup of the arterial lining and this leads to serious complications.
For those looking to lower their levels and reduce their risk of serious complications, considering a cholesterol-lowering supplement could help reduce one’s numbers.
Although few natural products are known to improve cholesterol levels, two in particular might be extra helpful in lowering levels.
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Magnesium supplements
One of the best strategies to help reduce LDL “bad” cholesterol is by taking a magnesium supplement daily.
Magnesium acts like a natural statin drug and lowers bad cholesterol, reduces triglycerides and increases good cholesterol.
In order for the body to make cholesterol, it requires a specific enzyme known as HMG-CoA reductase.
Magnesium regulates this enzyme and helps to maintain a proper amount of cholesterol in the body.
When the body is magnesium deficient, cholesterol continues to be produced in excess and this causes a build-up of cholesterol which may lead to coronary heart disease.
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Medical journal BMJ advised how magnesium could help with high cholesterol.
The health site said: “Magnesium is an essential mineral found in the body and is naturally present in many foods.
“It is also available as a dietary supplement.
“Magnesium serves as a cofactor in more than 300 enzymatic reactions including those responsible for regulating blood pressure, glycaemic control and lipid peroxidation.
“Magnesium is therefore critical to the cardiovascular system.”
Green tea extract supplements
The healing benefits of green tea have been enjoyed worldwide for centuries and modern science is now catching on to its myriad of health benefits.
Research has shown that green tea may treat some medical conditions, including high cholesterol.
In a study which was published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, green tea intake and its cholesterol-lowering abilities were analysed.
Fourteen eligible randomised controlled trials with 1136 subjects were enrolled in the meta-analysis.
The study found that green tea consumption significantly lowered the LDL-cholesterol concentration by 2.19 mg/DL, but no effect of HDL cholesterol was observed.
Tea is rich in polyphenols, which are believed to have antioxidant, anti-cancer and anti-bacterial, and anti-viral properties. Green tea has the polyphenol catechin.
Dr David Moran said: “Findings have to be confirmed in larger studies with longer follow-up for green tea’s cholesterol-lowering capabilities.
“But for centuries green tea has been thought to have medicinal uses and shows an apparent therapeutic value.”
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