Cholesterol is a type of fatty element, which is produced by the liver. It plays an important role in the formation of cell walls, the nervous system’s protective shield and hormones. It combines with proteins to form lipoproteins, which prevent fat from dissolving in the blood. There are two types of cholesterol in our body – HDL (high density lipoprotein, good cholesterol) and LDL (low density lipoprotein, bad cholesterol). HDL ie good cholesterol is very light and it takes away the frozen fat in the blood vessels with it. let’s see how to lower cholesterol.
Cholesterol is a type of fatty element, which is produced by the liver. It plays an important role in the formation of cell walls, the nervous system’s protective shield and hormones. It combines with proteins to form lipoproteins, which prevent fat from dissolving in the blood. There are two types of cholesterol in our body – HDL (high density lipoprotein, good cholesterol) and LDL (low density lipoprotein, bad cholesterol). HDL ie good cholesterol is very light and it takes away the frozen fat in the blood vessels with it.
Bad cholesterol ie LDL is more sticky and thick. If its quantity is high, it accumulates on the walls of blood vessels and arteries, which obstructs the flow of blood. Increase in cholesterol is injurious to health and its increase can lead to problems like heart attack, high blood pressure and obesity. A blood test called lipid profile is done to check cholesterol. A healthy person should have total cholesterol less than 200 mg/dL, HDL more than 60 mg/dL and LDL less than 100 mg/dL.
What is cholesterol
According to Ayurveda, cholesterol is produced due to excess of kapha in the body. There are two types of cholesterol in the body – good cholesterol ( HDL – High Density Protein ) and bad cholesterol ( LDL – Low Density Protein ). But the amount of cholesterol should be as follows-
Total Cholestrol – 200- Desirable
200- 239- Border line
240 or Above– High Risk.
HDL – 60 or Above– Low risk of heart disease.
40-60- Near-optimal.
40 or Below– High risk of heart disease.
LDL – 100 or Below– Low risk of heart disease
Causes of Cholesterol
The basic reason for increasing cholesterol is unbalanced diet and poor routine but there are other reasons along with it. All of you should keep complete information about the symptoms of cholesterol increase, so that if you see any of those symptoms, then you should get treated with home remedies or allopathy method . Let us first know about the reasons for increasing cholesterol:
Unbalanced diet – High cholesterol can arise even when there is full use of saturated fat in the body. Saturated fat is found in foods that are high in cholesterol and fat. If you are looking for ways to reduce cholesterol, then first of all reduce the intake of high fat foods like red fatty meat, butter, cheese, cake, ghee etc. This is the most effective way to reduce cholesterol .
Hereditary reasons-
If someone in your family has already had high cholesterol problem, then it is a cause of concern for you too. This genetic high cholesterol also causes premature blockage and stroke.
Alcohol consumption-
Excessive consumption of alcohol can damage the liver and heart muscles, which causes high blood pressure and increases the amount of cholesterol in the body.
Stress-
When people are under stress, they tend to smoke, consume alcohol and eat fatty foods to calm themselves. Therefore, prolonged stress causes an increase in blood cholesterol.
Disease Some diseases like sugar and hypothyroidism etc. also increase the level of cholesterol in the body. Hence, go for regular medical check-ups to keep cholesterol levels under control.
Symptoms of Cholesterol Increase
All these symptoms of cholesterol are very common:
Headache-
If you are often troubled by headache or you feel very lightheaded sometimes, then be careful, because these can be symptoms of increased cholesterol. Actually, due to cholesterol, there is no proper blood supply in all the veins of the head, then such a problem arises. For this reason, problems like headache and dizziness or loss of sensation can occur.
Breathlessness-
If your breath starts bloating after a little work or exertion, then it can be a sign of increased cholesterol. There can be many reasons for breathlessness or tiredness, but if this is happening then you must get your cholesterol checked. Due to increase in cholesterol, you start feeling tired without doing much work. Usually obese people have more of this problem.
Obesity-
If you feel that you have suddenly started getting fat without any specific reason, then it can also be a sign of increased cholesterol. Apart from this, if you feel heaviness in the stomach or you sweat more than usual and feel hot, then you should get your cholesterol checked.
Chest pain or discomfort-
Increase in cholesterol mainly increases the risk of heart diseases and stroke. So if you feel chest pain, uneasiness or heart palpitations, these can be signs of high cholesterol. Ignoring it can prove fatal for you, so in such a situation, get a doctor checked immediately and manage your cholesterol. The appearance of small boils or skin tags under the eyes or on the neck is also a sign that your cholesterol level is increasing.
How to lower cholesterol
Generally people try home remedies first to reduce cholesterol . Let us know what are the home remedies that help in reducing cholesterol-
Walnut is beneficial in the treatment of cholesterol
Walnut is a storehouse of energy. By eating four walnuts daily, our body gets instant energy, as well as many nutrients like calcium, magnesium, omega-3, fiber, copper and phosphorus are found in it. Eating four walnuts daily in the morning starts melting the cholesterol deposited in the blood vessels and it is very helpful in sending your bad cholesterol back to the liver, so make a habit of eating four walnuts daily.
Garlic beneficial in controlling cholesterol
Some enzymes are found in garlic, which prove to be helpful in reducing LDL cholesterol. According to research done by scientists, regular consumption of garlic can reduce the level of LDL cholesterol by 9 to 15 percent. Apart from this, it also controls high blood pressure. If we talk about home remedies to reduce cholesterol, then peeling and eating two cloves of garlic daily is the best home remedy.
Oats beneficial in the treatment of cholesterol
A thick sticky substance called beta glucan present in oats helps in cleaning our intestines and removes the problem of constipation. Because of this, bad cholesterol is not absorbed in the body. Studies conducted by scientists have proved that if oats are consumed regularly for three months, it can bring down the cholesterol level by up to 5 percent.
Soybeans Helps to Control Cholesterol
Soybeans, pulses and sprouts help the liver to remove LDL cholesterol present in the blood. These things are also helpful in increasing good cholesterol
Lemon Beneficial to Control Cholesterol
All citrus fruits, including lemons, contain some type of soluble fiber, which prevents bad cholesterol from entering the bloodstream right in the food bag. Vitamin-C present in such fruits cleans the blood vessels. In this way, bad cholesterol gets out of the body through the digestive system. Such enzymes are found in citrus fruits, which help in reducing the increased cholesterol by speeding up the process of metabolism.
Olive oil helpful in controlling cholesterol
The monounsaturated fat present in it helps in keeping the cholesterol level stable. It strengthens the artery walls. This reduces the risk of heart disease. It also controls high blood pressure and sugar level. Research has proved that if food made in olive oil is eaten continuously for six weeks, it can reduce the cholesterol level by up to 8 percent. If you see symptoms of increasing cholesterol, then start consuming olive oil in limited quantity.
Flaxseed: Home remedies for Cholesterol
Flax seeds are also very beneficial in reducing the rising cholesterol. You can consume flaxseeds or make powder of flaxseeds and consume it daily.
Take some powder of linseed and mix it in a glass of buttermilk. Consume it after mixing it well. You can also use linseed in your vegetable.
Amla is beneficial in the treatment of cholesterol
Cholesterol level can be reduced by regularly consuming one spoon of aloe vera juice mixed with one spoon of amla juice on an empty stomach every morning. Vitamin-C and citric acid are found in high amounts in amla, which is very important in reducing and controlling cholesterol.
Control cholesterol Vitamin C
All the fruits containing Vitamin-C and citric acid are very beneficial for cholesterol patients like- Amla, Pomegranate, Lemon, Orange, Sweet lime, etc. are good for you Consume these fruits regularly to control cholesterol.
Black gram helpful in reducing cholesterol
Black gram is often eaten as a vegetable in homes. Nutrients like Vitamin–A, B C, D, calcium, fiber, iron, carbohydrate, magnesium and phosphorus are found in black gram. People who have high cholesterol should consume black gram. Leave a handful of black gram soaked in water overnight and eat these gram empty stomach in the morning. Also, do not throw the water in which gram was soaked, but drink that water as well. Apart from this, eating roasted gram is also beneficial for you.
Raisin Helps to Treat Cholesterol
If you are feeling the symptoms of increasing cholesterol, then immediately check it out and adopt home remedies to reduce cholesterol. Soak 10 to 12 raisins and 6 to 7 almonds in water overnight. Consume almonds and raisins on an empty stomach in the morning, this also helps in controlling cholesterol. Cholesterol patients should consume them regularly, keep in mind that if you have sugar then do not consume raisins.
Mustard oil helps to reduce cholesterol level
Mustard oil is used the most in our India, but in the last few years people have started using many other types of ghee, refined and other oily oils, due to which complaints of increasing cholesterol in people also started increasing.
Monounsaturated fat and polyunsaturated fatty acids are also found in very high amounts in mustard oil, which are very beneficial in terms of health. If you have cholesterol problem then always use mustard oil only.
Bark of Arjun Good for Reducing Cholesterol
The bark of Arjuna tree is used in the treatment of many diseases. You will easily find Arjun’s bark in the market at the grocery store.
Take a little bark of Arjuna and put it in a glass of water and heat this water. Heat it till the water is reduced to half. Now let it cool down, drink this decoction like tea when it cools down, it is an effective home remedy to reduce cholesterol.
When to go to the doctor
If left untreated and continuously ignored, these symptoms of cholesterol increase later turn into serious diseases. Therefore, if cholesterol is not being controlled by home remedies or if there is any other serious problem, then immediately go to the nearest doctor and get treatment. Keep in mind that if you are seeing any of the symptoms of increasing cholesterol, do not ignore it.
- Constant weight gain despite exercising or not eating much is a sign of high cholesterol.
- If you feel short of breath even after walking a little.
- In general, feeling more tired in the body is also a sign that cholesterol has increased in the body. In this case, without delay, contact the doctor immediately.
- Do not ignore excessive sweating or excessive heat.
- Persistent pain in your legs without much running or doing any other work.
- Daily headache or pain in the brain.
- If blood pressure starts to be high.
- – There is any kind of discomfort in the chest or feeling of restlessness.
- Even if the heart is beating loudly, you should immediately get a checkup done by the doctor.