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Alternative Treatment for Cholesterol

You have been diagnosed with high cholesterol, a blood sterol that can lead to plaque accumulating on artery walls. There are many things you can do to try to lower your cholesterol and reduce your risk of heart disease other than taking prescription medications. Talk to your doctor about alternative options to see if these will bring your cholesterol to a manageable level before going on a more aggressive treatment program.

  1. Cholesterol Lowering Substances

    • You have two types of cholesterol, good cholesterol (HDL) and bad cholesterol (LDL). The are several things you can take that are naturally occurring compounds that can help lower your LDL cholesterol. The most popular are niacin, garlic, plant sterols, guggul and policosanol.

      Niacin is one of the B vitamins, namely B3. Doctors often prescribe niacin to reduce cholesterol levels. Very high levels of niacin can cause liver damage and should be used with caution. Garlic is a medicinal herb used to treat many ailments and is proved to help reduce cholesterol when consumed in high enough quantities. If you can consume anywhere from 4 to 10 g of plant sterols daily, you can lower your LDL cholesterol. Guggul comes from an Indian herb extract and can lower LDL cholesterol in as little as four weeks, according to Dr. Gordon Chang, an alternative medicine specialist. Policosanol is derived from sugar cane wax and can lower bad cholesterol while increasing good cholesterol numbers.

    Diet Modifications

    • You don't always need to go on medication to lower your cholesterol. Making dietary modifications can greatly impact your bad cholesterol numbers. The American Heart Association recommends a diet low in fat. Try to consume less that 8 percent of saturated fat daily with no more than 30 percent of your calories coming from any fat. This means cooking with olive oil instead of butter, margarine or shortening. Choose lean meats and eat fish such as salmon and mackerel to increase levels of omega-3 fatty acid intake. This helps reduce cholesterol levels. Use low-fat dairy products such as yogurt and cheese when cooking.

    Lifestyle Alternatives

    • If you are overweight, the first thing you can do to help lower your cholesterol is to lose the extra pounds. Cut back on calories and follow the diet tips mentioned in the previous section. Incorporate exercise and activity into your daily routine. Make sure you are getting at least 30 minutes of aerobic activity five days a week or more. Walk to lunch or take the stairs instead of the elevator. Consult with your doctor to make sure you are on the right track to lowering cholesterol levels without prescriptions.

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