How to Lower Cholesterol With Alternative Medicines
When it comes to lower cholesterol, alternative medicine choices often come in the form of supplements. These methods are often used in conjunction with other forms of treatment Before making an independent decision to begin a new course of treatment that involves alternative methods, contact your physician and discuss your desire to take a more natural path.
- Take garlic supplement pills, or eat foods that have garlic as part of the recipe. Garlic is an anti-oxidant that helps reduce the presence of low-density lipoproteins (LDL), which are the bad form of cholesterol. However, it also magnifies the effect of blood thinning medication, which means it should not be consumed in large amounts while one is taking these drugs, such as Coumadin.
- Eat walnuts, almonds, oat bran or foods made with oats, including oatmeal. The soluble fiber in these foods binds with water and carbohydrates, slowing the production of glucose; plus it blocks the absorption of bad cholesterol.
- Eat foods and supplements that contain beta sitosterols. These include rice bran, cashews, soy based products and avocados. Beta sitosterols inhibit the absorption of LDL cholesterol into the body and can also fight cancer. There are certain side-effects associated with it, however, including lower testosterone levels.
- Eat barley and foods with barley in their recipe. Barley contains insoluble fiber and the propionic acid in the fiber inhibits the enzyme that is necessary for the liver to produce cholesterol. It also contains beta glucan, which binds to bile acids and forces it out of the body. When this happens the liver must make more bile, which causes it to use up cholesterol, taking it out of the bloodstream.