Natural Medicines that Reduce Cholesterol

There are two types of cholesterol, HDL (good cholesterol) and LDL (bad cholesterol). Too much LDL and not enough HDL can put you in line for stroke, heart disease or even a heart attach. Sometimes the amount of cholesterol your body makes, LDL or HDL, is an inherited factor. At other times, it is due to your diet. Just by changing a few things in your diet, such as replacing junk or fast food with more fruit and vegetables, can made a big difference. However, there are also some natural medicines you can use to further healthy cholesterol levels.

Fiber

• Whole grains, vegetables and even fiber supplements are excellent ways to increase fiber in your diet. It is believed that fiber binds to cholesterol, preventing blood absorption.

Carnitine

• Carnitine is an amino acid that is generally made by your body's kidneys and liver. It has been shown to improve cardiac performance as well as lower LDL cholesterol when taken in supplement form.

Grape Seed Extract

• Grape seed extract, a known antioxidant, has been found to lower lipid oxidation in the body, which aids in producing LDL cholesterol.

Pantothine

• Pantothine, also known as pantothenic acid or B5, is part of the B vitamin complex. When used in supplement form, it has been shown to increase HDL and reduce LDL in the blood.

Vitamin C

• Although vitamin C has proven beneficial in many areas, when added to the diet with fruits and vegetables or supplements, it yields only a slight improvement in cholesterol levels.

Chocolate

• Dark, high-quality chocolate has been shown to lower LDL cholesterol. This does not, however, give you license to partake in chocolate cake, chocolate chip cookies or chocolate mousse, which are all laden with high sugar and fat.