How To Reduce Your Cholesterol Levels Naturally

Your BMI might be on point, you might not be overweight, and you might show absolutely no symptoms of high cholesterol. Until you get yourself tested or fall prey to a stroke or heart disease. So, before you have to deal with the complications, here are some natural home remedies that will help lower your cholesterol levels. Keep reading!

What Is Cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a kind of fat (lipid) present in your blood. Your cells need cholesterol to function normally, and your body makes it. However, you also get extra cholesterol from fatty foods that you consume.

When you have more than the required amount of cholesterol in your body, it starts building up in your arteries. This condition is known as atherosclerosis. This may further lead to heart and blood flow problems like blood clots, heart attacks, and strokes.

The condition of suffering from high cholesterol is medically termed as hypercholesterolemia.

There are mainly two types of cholesterol:

• Low-Density Lipoproteins (LDL) – LDL is the bad cholesterol that increases your risk of heart disease and stroke.
• High-Density Lipoproteins (HDL) – HDL is the good cholesterol that reduces your risk of developing heart disease and stroke.

Let us now look at the factors (other than your diet) that may lead to high levels of bad cholesterol and lower the levels of good cholesterol.

What Causes High Cholesterol?

The following are the most common factors that affect your cholesterol levels:

• Foods Rich In Saturated And Trans Fats: Consuming these foods regularly can increase the levels of LDL or bad cholesterol.
• Overweight: Being overweight can lower the levels of good cholesterol and increase the levels of bad cholesterol.
• Inactivity: Not exercising and being inactive can increase your LDL levels and increase the HDL levels.
• Age: Cholesterol (LDL) levels usually begin to rise after 20 years.
• Family History: Those with a family history of high cholesterol levels are prone to the condition.

Let’s now look at the possible symptoms associated with high cholesterol.

Signs And Symptoms Of High Cholesterol

Most of the time, you may not know that you have high cholesterol levels until you get yourself tested.

In some cases, individuals find out about their high cholesterol levels only after suffering a stroke or heart attack. However, such situations only occur when the high cholesterol levels lead to the formation of plaque.

Given below are the varying cholesterol levels that range from normal to high.

Cholesterol Levels

A blood test is almost the only way to find out if your cholesterol is too high.

• High Cholesterol – Above 240 mg/dl
• Borderline High Cholesterol – 200-239 mg/dl
• Normal Cholesterol – Below 200 mg/dl

Today, most individuals suffer from high cholesterol levels and are thus at high risk of heart attacks and strokes. Hence, the earlier you bring down your cholesterol levels, the better it is for your health. Here are a few home remedies that can help you lower bad cholesterol levels naturally.

15 Natural Ways To Lower Your Cholesterol

1. Essential Oils

a. Lemongrass Essential Oil

You Will Need

• 2 drops of lemongrass essential oil
• 1 glass of water

What You Have To Do

1. Add two drops of lemongrass essential oil to a glass of water and mix well.
2. Drink this solution.

How Often You Should Do This

You must drink this solution twice daily.

Why This Works

Lemongrass essential oil is mainly used for its analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. It can help lower your cholesterol levels and dilate your blood vessels for uninterrupted blood flow (1).

b. Holy Basil Essential Oil

You Will Need

• 2 drops of holy basil oil
• 1 glass of water

What You Have To Do

1. Add two drops of holy basil oil to a glass of water.
2. Mix well and consume.

How Often You Should Do This

You must consume this mixture twice daily.

Why This Works

Holy basil essential oil is known for its cholesterol-lowering effects, owing to the presence of a compound called eugenol in it (2).

2. Vitamins

Vitamins B3, E, and C are known to reduce the serum cholesterol levels. Vitamin C supplementation was found to reduce LDL levels (3), (4). Vitamins B3 and E help combat symptoms of high cholesterol like atherosclerosis by reducing the build-up of cholesterol in your arteries.

Foods rich in these vitamins include citrus fruits, green leafy vegetables, chicken, mushroom, tuna, almonds, and sweet potato.

3. Fish Oil

You Will Need

1000 mg of fish oil supplements

What You Have To Do

1. Take 1000 mg of fish oil supplements.
2. You can also consume fish like sardines, salmon, mackerel, and tuna.

How Often You Should Do This

You must do this on a daily basis.

Why This Works

Fish oil is a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids. Regular intake of these fatty acids is one of the best and easiest ways to reduce your cholesterol levels. They also help reduce your risk of heart disease (5).

4. Coconut Oil

You Will Need

Coconut oil (as required)

What You Have To Do

1. Add coconut oil to your favorite dishes and salads in moderate amounts.
2. You can also replace your cooking oil with coconut oil.
3. Alternatively, you can consume a tablespoon of coconut oil every morning.

How Often You Should Do This

You must do this on a daily basis.

Why This Works

Coconut oil is known to increase the good cholesterol levels in your blood. This, in turn, helps lower the bad cholesterol levels and also protects you from heart disease by helping you keep your weight in check (6).

5. Garlic

You Will Need

Minced garlic cloves

What You Have To Do

1. Add minced garlic cloves to salads and other dishes.
2. You can also chew on peeled garlic cloves.

How Often You Should Do This

You must consume garlic on a daily basis.

Why This Works

Garlic contains a compound called allicin that is only released when you crush it. This compound is known reduce your cholesterol naturally (7), (8).

6. Green Tea

You Will Need

• 1 teaspoon of green tea
• 1 cup of water
• Honey

What You Have To Do

1. Add a teaspoon of green tea to a cup of water.
2. Bring it to a boil in a saucepan.
3. Simmer for 5 minutes and strain.
4. When the tea cools down a little, add some honey to it.
5. Drink it while it is warm.

How Often You Should Do This

You must drink this thrice daily.

Why This Works

The powerful antioxidant potential of green tea is due to the presence of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) in it, which helps bring down the bad cholesterol (LDL) levels (9).

7. Yogurt

You Will Need

1 bowl of probiotic yogurt

What You Have To Do

Consume a bowl of probiotic yogurt.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this daily for best results.

Why This Works

Probiotic yogurt contains good bacteria that enhance your gut health and play a significant role in lowering your cholesterol levels naturally (10).

8. Chia Seeds

You Will Need

1 tablespoon of chia seeds

What You Have To Do

Add chia seeds to your favorite smoothie or fruit juice and consume it.

How Often You Should Do This

You must consume chia seeds daily to reduce your cholesterol levels.

Why This Works

Chia seeds are a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, which help reduce cholesterol levels and the risk of cardiovascular disease (11), (12).

9. Grapefruit Juice

You Will Need

1 glass of fresh grapefruit juice

What You Have To Do

Consume a glass of freshly squeezed grapefruit juice.

How Often You Should Do This

Drink this juice 1 to 2 times daily, preferably after every meal.

Why This Works

Grapefruit is a rich source of protein and various other nutrients that have amazing benefits. It provides your body with vitamin C, fiber, and minerals like magnesium and potassium. The strong antioxidant potential of grapefruits, along with their excellent nutrient composition, is great for lowering your cholesterol levels (13).

10. Orange Juice

You Will Need

1 cup of orange juice

What You Have To Do

Consume a cup of freshly squeezed orange juice.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this 2 to 3 times daily.

Why This Works

Regular and long-term consumption of orange juice was found to lower the cholesterol levels and the risk of developing cardiovascular disease according to a study published in Lipids in Health and Disease (14).

11. Pomegranate Juice

You Will Need

1 cup of fresh pomegranate juice

What You Have To Do

Consume a cup of freshly prepared pomegranate juice.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this 1 to 2 times daily.

Why This Works

Pomegranate contains high levels of antioxidants as compared to green tea and red wine. These antioxidants help in lowering the bad cholesterol (LDL), which, in turn, keeps cardiovascular disease at bay (15), (16).

12. Lemon Juice

You Will Need

• ½ lemon
• 1 glass of warm water
• Honey

What You Have To Do

1. Add the juice of half a lemon to a glass of warm water.
2. Mix well and add some honey to it.
3. Consume the juice immediately.

How Often You Should Do This

Drink a glass of lemon juice once daily, preferably every morning on an empty stomach.

Why This Works

Lemon juice is a rich source of vitamin C and antioxidants. This makes it an effective remedy for reducing the bad cholesterol (LDL) levels and promoting weight loss (17).

13. Apple Cider Vinegar

You Will Need

• 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar
• 1 glass of water
• Honey

What You Have To Do

1. Add a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to a glass of warm water and mix well.
2. Add some honey to this mixture and consume it.

How Often You Should Do This

Drink this solution once daily or every alternate day for best results.

Why This Works

Apple cider vinegar (ACV) contains acetic acid and pectin. While the acetic acid helps you in losing the unwanted body weight associated with high cholesterol, the bad cholesterol (LDL) attaches itself to the pectin (fiber) of ACV and gets eliminated from your body (18), (19).

14. Flaxseeds

You Will Need

• 1 tablespoon of powdered flaxseeds
• 1 glass of warm water/milk
• Honey (optional)

What You Have To Do

1. Add a tablespoon of powdered flaxseeds to a glass of warm water or milk and mix well.
2. You can also add some honey to the mixture to improve its flavor.
3. Consume it immediately.

How Often You Should Do This

You must do this once daily.

Why This Works

Flaxseeds contain a lignan called secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG) that helps lower the blood cholesterol and decreases your risk of developing liver diseases (20).

15. Celery Juice

You Will Need

• 2 stalks of celery
• ½ cup of water
• Honey (optional)

What You Have To Do

1. Blend two stalks of celery with half a cup of water.
2. Strain and add some honey to the strained celery juice.
3. Consume a glass of this juice and refrigerate any leftovers.

How Often You Should Do This

You must drink a glass of celery juice 1 to 2 times daily.

Why This Works

Celery is a rich source of antioxidants and its regular consumption can lower your LDL (bad cholesterol) levels (21).

Let us now look at some foods you can include in your daily diet to assist the above remedies for better results.

Best Foods To Lower Your Cholesterol Fast

Listed below are some of the best foods that can help you lower your cholesterol levels:

• Oats
• Barley and other whole grains:
• Beans
• Avocados
• Nuts like almonds, pistachios, walnuts, peanuts, and or hazelnuts.

In addition to a healthy diet, following these tips can help you manage your cholesterol levels.

Prevention Tips

• Eliminate trans fats from your diet. They are often found in cookies, crackers, etc.
• Exercise daily.
• Quit smoking.
• Check your weight to understand if you are overweight.
• Avoid drinking alcohol.

Once you start following the above remedies, diet, and tips, you will see a change in your condition in a few weeks. Try them out and do let us know how well they worked in combating your cholesterol issues.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the foods to be avoided when you have high cholesterol?

If you have high cholesterol, you must avoid consuming trans fats like cookies, crackers, and other fried foods. You must also consume less of ghee, butter, fatty meats, and dairy products.

Is pasta bad if you have high cholesterol?

Pasta that is made of wheat and whole grains is comparatively healthier than the other types. Other types of pasta can increase the levels of bad cholesterol (LDL) in your blood.

How long does it take to lower cholesterol?

If you take the necessary precautions and make changes to your diet and lifestyle, you will start noticing an improvement in your cholesterol levels in as early as three weeks.

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Author Fact Checker

Payal KarnikSenior Health & Wellness Writer

 

Payal Karnik is a senior health and wellness writer and a Certified Health and Nutrition Life Coach. She is a biotechnology graduate from the University of Mumbai with a keen interest in writing and a natural curiosity for science.

Read full bio of Payal Karnik

Sindhu KogantiSenior Health & Wellness Writer

Sindhu Koganti is a Certified Health and Nutrition Life Coach and has over 6 years of experience in writing on health and wellness topics. She has a bachelor’s degree in biotechnology from Acharya Nagarjuna University, Guntur, and a diploma in nutrition from Fab Academy.

Read full bio of Sindhu Koganti