We already know that cholesterol is a fatty substance produced by the body and it is an essential ingredient for the healthy functioning of the circulatory system.  In the right amounts, it helps the body to hum along with all systems “go”.  In unhealthy amounts it is linked to heart disease and stroke.  Of course the major reason high cholesterol can be bad for us, is that the LDL (Low Density Lipoprotein) causes a plaque-like buildup on the arteries and can cause blockages and blood clots.

There’s a lot we can do to naturally lower cholesterol, without taking prescription medication.

Let’s take a look at these 6.5 Easy Home Remedies to Naturally Lower Cholesterol:

1.  Drink lots of water! This is one of the easiest and most important ways to control cholesterol.  By drinking at least 8 – 10 glasses of water each day, you help to flush the LDL out of your system and the extra liquid makes that task much easier.

2.  Eat foods rich in vitamin E. Not only will this help reduce cholesterol naturally, it helps keep your skin younger looking.  Foods rich in vitamin E are sprouted seeds and grains – you can add them to sandwiches and salads, soybean oils, sunflower seeds — better to eat these raw than with salt, and safflower oil.

3. Load up on anti-oxidants. Plant foods that are rich in color are usually rich in anti-oxidents.  Foods like blueberries, strawberries, black berries, broccoli, and green beans are all high with anti-oxidents.  As with vitamin E, these anti-oxidants not only help to naturally lower cholesterol, they keep the skin looking younger!

4.  Eat lots of garlic. If you can eat an extra to to three cloves of garlic each day, you will certainly lower your cholesterol levels in no time.  Raw is best, cooked is good.  If you just can’t eat that much, there are some wonderful natural supplements you can take to help naturally reduce cholesterol.

5.  An Apple a Day. The skins of the apple contain a powerful cholesterol fighting tool.  If you aren’t crazy about apples, this can be substituted for taking 6 ounces of apple juice each day.  Home made is best and if you make your own, leave the skins on.  Applesauce — again, home made, again cook the apples with the skins on, then later skim them off.  The benefits are amazing.

6.  Move it and Lose it. Yes, exercise is considered to be a home remedy to naturally lower cholesterol.  Start slow and work up to at least thirty minutes each day.  Remember, it doesn’t have to be all at once.  Think about how you can add extra steps to your daily routine.  Park in the farthest away spot at the mall or grocery store… remember to wear comfy shoes or you won’t be as willing to park far away.  Walk instead of driving the car or taking public transportation.  If you’ve only got a block or two to go, it makes sense for your health and for the environment to walk.  Or better yet, run your errands on a bike — its perfect exercise.

6.5 Add Some Meditation or Prayer. A little hint here, as your are praying or mediating, do not dwell on your body the way it is. Dwell on it the way you want it to be.  Give thanks for all the many blessing you have — do not think about what you do not have.  The energy you put out, is the energy you get back.  Send out positive, grateful, appreciative energy and you will get more things to be positive, grateful and appreciative back into your life.  The converse of that is also true.

Those are some powerful remedies that when followed will surely lower cholesterol naturally, improve the health of your skin and give you a bright sunny outlook on life!  What a deal!!

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I am an active 50-something who loves hiking and being in natural settings; the thought of taking medications sends chills up my spine.  I will go to almost any length to keep from putting synthetic chemicals in my body – especially when there are so many natural foods and food-based supplements that can help you to reduce cholesterol – and with none of the side effects associated with some drugs. That said, here are 5.5 proven methods to effectively reduce cholesterol naturally.

Proven Method #1 – Lose weight

Given that almost everyone wants to lose and most people aren’t losing – you may think – “Sure, easy for you to say.” Personally, maintaining a healthy weight hasn’t always been easy for me, but even a few pounds can make a difference.  If you follow all 5.5 proven tips, you will lose the weight you need and it will be well worth it. When I lost just 10 pounds my cholesterol dropped 15%!

Most of us need an easy-to-follow plan that is based on moderation in most things.  Depriving yourself of all the foods you love rarely works and if you really want something that is not in you best interest – have a VERY SMALL portion once in awhile. Otherwise a diet that is rich in omega 3 fatty acids, and includes a large variety of vegetables and whole grains is best.

Proven Method #2 – Reduce your intake of saturated fats

The primary sources of saturated fats in most western cultures, are deep fried foods and red meat. To reduce cholesterol, it is important to limit red meat consumption to no more than one meal per week. My doctor told me to avoid fried foods like the plaque – but I’ll be honest… I allow myself one small bag of French fries a month.  I feel like I’m not being horribly deprived and my cholesterol has returned to normal levels.

Salty snacks, like potato chips and tortilla chips can also be high in saturated fats.  It is easy to substitute those with their baked cousins without sacrificing taste.  Just look around the grocery shelves for the snacks with lower fat content.

Proven Method #3 -Increase your fiber intake

There are so many supplements claiming to reduce cholesterol and most of them contain fiber!  Soluble fiber has been proven to lower cholesterol – no question! One of the very best ways to get enough fiber is to increase your intake of fuirts and vegetables (some raw) to five to eight servings each day.

The American Heart Association also recommends adding oat and rice bran to your fruit and vegetable regimen. Nutritional supplements containing psyllium or flax have also been shown to have positive effect on cholesterol.

Proven Method #4 – Exercise

Yep – we all know it.  Getting more exercise is one thing every doctor prescribes. But few of us build it into our life-styles so we might try it for a few days or weeks then gradually go back to our same unhealthy habits.  But if you are serious about using natural ways to lower cholesterol, this must be part of your ongoing plan. Start small: just park your car further away from the store, take the stairs instead of the elevator, take 3 ten minute walks a day – just once around the block, three times each day.

Then, work up to a good aerobic workout, for one half hour, 3 to 5 days each week.  You’ll be amazed at how much more energy you have throughout the day! Not to mention how much better your clothes fit!

Proven Method #5 – Nutritional Supplements

You’ll find that nutritional supplements will enhance your goal to lower cholesterol naturally. Make sure they are part of the complete package though. Just because you’re taking a natural supplement, doesn’t mean you can eat less of the healthy  foods or give up exercising. You’ve got to do a little of each of these proven methods every day to naturally reduce cholesterol.

Proven Method #5.5 – Its all about your attitude

We’ve all heard the old saying – “Change your thinking and change your life”, well it is certainly true here.  Watch what you say to yourself and to others about your high cholesterol – tell the story of what you want to happen  — the story where, “It is really easy to lower cholesterol naturally.  It’s good to be healthy and fit – naturally.” Believe you CAN lower your cholesterol naturally. It all the difference.

It’s all in how we think – think health, think longevity, make good choices.  It’s up to you.

The time is right to start to lower your cholesterol naturally. Do it now. Feel better and have more energy. You will be astonished at how quickly you can reduce cholesterol!

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