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Lowering Cholesterol Without Drugs

thehigherstandard | May 26, 2010 |

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High levels of bad cholesterol have substantially increased over the years. High cholesterol levels has been scientifically linked to the causation of heart disease, strokes and heart attacks. Coronary heart disease is now recognized as the leading cause of death in the United States and other industrialized societies. Generally speaking, this increase is the result of high bad cholesterol levels caused by smoking, diets loaded with high saturated fats, coupled with a sedentary lifestyle. Accordingly, steps must be taken to stop this frightening trend.

Medications are now being used by physicians in an effort to take control of this problem. Unhealthy cholesterol levels are being treated by drugs such as "HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors," or "Statins," for short. These cholesterol lowering drugs are prescribed under a variety of different "drug names" and can help patients with high risk of heart disease lower their bad cholesterol levels. However, statins can also raised levels of good cholesterol (or "HDL").

While statins (and other cholesterol lowering drugs) have been shown to be extremely effective in lowering bad cholesterol and raising good cholesterol, cholesterol medications are not the only answer. In fact, there are many other alternatives to permit people to improve their cholesterol levels without drug use.

The primary method of improving cholesterol levels is relatively straight forward -- get off your butt and lead a more active lifestyle. Research has proven that exercise must be part of a cholesterol lowering program as it helps shed excessive weight, lowers blood pressure, and decreases the risk of diabetes.

Additionally, it is imperative that one trying to lower cholesterol eat a diet that is a low cholesterol diet coupled with fish oil supplements such as Carlson's Fish Oil. While not commonly disclosed in the media, research has shown that you are able to lower cholesterol levels up to twenty-nine percent in just one month. As a result, if your cholesterol is severely out of control, your physician might suggest a cholesterol lowering plan consisting of exercise and diet, couple with drugs such as statins. However, it is advisable that you try to improve your cholesterol levels naturally before resorting to the use of cholesterol medications.

If you are trying to avoid developing coronary heart disease through your diet, it is recommended that you consume non-hydrogenated or unprocessed fats, as well as eat a diet rich in soy protein, nuts and fiber (i.e., oats and barley). It is also recommended that you increase your consumption of Omega-3 fats using fish oil supplements such as Carlson Fish Oil.