Reduce Cholesterol without Medication

Lifestyle Changes Can Reduce Cholesterol without Medication

Most physicians say that lifestyle changes along with certain dietary supplements can reduce cholesterol without medication. Changing your diet and starting an exercise routine can significantly lower your cholesterol numbers in as little as four or five weeks. But, some people need dietary supplements to help the process along because their metabolism is different. Natural products that have a proven cholesterol reducing track record are few and far between, but there are some good choices.

You can reduce cholesterol without medication, but it may not be as easy as popping a daily pill. Some doctors believe that dietary changes are too hard for a large number of their patients. They may prescribe a diet low in saturated fat, and they will promote better eating habits, but they also prescribe statins. Statins are cholesterol-lowering drugs that lower your low-density cholesterol number (LDL).

But a large number of cholesterol patients can't tolerate statins and their side effects. Other people simply don't want to take a pill every day or they don't want to pay the cost of the prescription. Those patients feel that dietary supplements are a great option because they work when you give them enough time to interact in your body.

But it's still a good idea to consult with your doctor before you try anything new. That being said, barley and artichoke extract can lower low-density cholesterol (LDL), although artichoke extract has been known to create excess gas in some people. Margarines like the Activ and Promise can lower LDL as well, and blond psyllium found in products like Metamucil can also have a positive impact on your total cholesterol number. Fish oil capsules can reduce your triglyceride levels, and ground flaxseed may also reduce the amount of triglycerides in your bloodstream.

Garlic extract also reduces cholesterol without medications, but it does cause bad breath, heart burn, body odor, and gas. Green tea will lower your LDL number, and oat bran found in oatmeal reduces cholesterol without medications when it is consumed on a regular basis. Another popular cholesterol lowering supplement is red yeast rice, but the Food and Drug Administration warns that red yeast rice could contain a natural form of the prescription medication Lovastatin. They say it may be dangerous because there is no way of knowing the quality as well as the quantity of the statins that enters the body when red yeast rice is consumed.

Alternatives to Reduce Cholesterol without Medication

Wine as well as other types of alcohol can reduce cholesterol without medication, but some doctors don't like to condone drinking so they avoid discussing this very popular solution with patients. But, there is evidence that one or two glasses a wine a day for men and one glass for women certain has health benefits. No one is really sure why alcohol helps cholesterol levels, but it does.

There are less controversial foods available that contain omega-3 fatty acids and monounsaturated fats as well as soluble fiber that will reduce cholesterol without medication so a large number of high cholesterol patients choose them over the alcohol. Apples, pears and beans can be consumed anytime, and they have what it takes to help lower cholesterol in everyone. Herbal supplements also help lower low-density cholesterol. Combining omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil, policosanol, niacin, and guggulsterones have been found to significant reduce cholesterol levels. These ingredients can be found in a daily supplement and since they are all natural there will be no side effects. For information on where you can find these products, visit www.vasacor.com. Soon enough you will be on the road to optimal health.