NaturalMedications

Blueberries that tantalize your tongue may help you lower your cholesterol, too. In a recent study, an antioxidant compound found in blueberries appeared to lower cholesterol as effectively as a popular cholesterol-lowering medication. The compound -- pterostilbene -- also has powerful anticancer properties. Top your high-fiber cereal with a handful of blueberries for extra cholesterol-lowering power

Bdellium gum has many  positive effects on the human body. Studies show they include: lowering  cholesterol levels, reducing tissue inflammation, promoting balance in the  thyroid gland, and lowering body weight.  

The flowers of the safflower plant are used to nourish  the liver,  gallbladder and respiratory system. Safflower helps balance  cholesterol in the body, and assists in eliminating excessive uric acid. It  helps break up phlegm and soothes the digestive system. 

Eating 2 or 3 apples a day lowers blood cholesterol. Apple skin is especially high in pectin, a soluble  fiber that binds cholesterol, removing it from the body.

Eating avocados, almonds, and olive oil decreases levels of the bad LDL cholesterol. What these foods have in  common is that they are sources of monounsaturated fats,  the best type of fat to include in your diet because it  actually helps lower cholesterol. Eating 1/2 to 1-1/2  avocados a day is better than using a low fat diet to  reduce cholesterol. You can eat sliced, raw avocados in  salads or spread them on bread or crackers.

Carrots may help lower cholesterol levels. Carrots are agood source of soluble fiber, which help your body to get rid of cholesterol.

Fatty fish are loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, which are significant protectors against cardiovascular  disease. In countries where a lot of seafood is eaten,  people have less heart disease. A recent study found  that eating just one ounce of fish a day, or 2 to 3 servings a week, can decrease the risk of heart disease by 50%. The fatty acids in fish oil fight heart disease by reducing blood vessel constriction, by preventing blood clots, and by raising good HDL cholesterol. The richest sources of omega-3 fatty acids are mackerel, anchovies, herring, salmon, sardines, lake trout, Atlantic sturgeon, and tuna.

Both garlic and onions help reduce cholesterol levels and make the blood resistant to clotting, thus reducing the risk of heart disease.

Ghee is made by melting butter, and then straining out the milk solids. Ghee is lower in cholesterol than  unclarified butter. It doesn't burn as easily, and it  stays fresh longer.

For over 5,000 years, millions os Asians have taken 2 to 3 grams of ginseng daily to lower cholesterol. Ginseng also dialates blood vessels, reducing blood pressure.

The flavonoids in hawthorn berries dilate the coronary arteries, and apparently have a strengthening effect on the heart. Hawthorn berries have been used to treat  angina, and hawthorn berry tincture is used widely in Europe to lower cholesterol levels. The Recommended dosage is usually 20 to 40 drops, twice a day. Hawthorn berry tea can be taken as frequently as desired.

Artichokes, which have a diuretic effect, lower blood cholesterol.

Both pasta and bread have valuable carbohydrates and are low in fat and cholesterol. Of course, pasta or bread  slathered with butter loses many of its health benefits. A better alternative is to use olive oil. Olive oil is a vegetable fat and has no cholesterol, although it  still has a high number of calories. Make a pesto sauce for your pasta with olive oil, garlic, and basil, or use a meatless marinara sauce.

Seaweed and shiitake mushrooms have both proven effective at lowering cholesterol levels. 

 Soybeans contain the substance lecithin, which breaks down cholesterol. Mixing soybean fiber into an already  low fat, high-carbohydrate diet can really make a  difference. Other soy products that you can add to your diet include soy oil, soy flour, soy powder, and tofu.

The National Institutes of Health now okay 3 or 4 eggs a week. Eggs, unlike meats, are a whole food. The egg contains a substance called lecithin, which breaks downthe cholesterol in the egg and keeps it from sticking to your blood vessel walls. There's enough lecithin in an egg to handle the cholesterol in that egg. Meat on the other hand, has plenty of cholesterol, but no lecithin.Try to eat a couple of large oranges, 1 or 2 grapefruits, or a cup or 2 of fresh strawberries each  day. And when you peel the oranges and grapefrui, don't  throw away the white, fiberous substance under the rind.  This substance contains the bioflavonoids, the nutrients  that help build strong blood vessels. The bioflavonoids,  and the vitamin C and E and other antioxidants in the  fruit (and in vegetables as well) act as bodyguards for the good HDL cholesterol and help block formation of the  bad LDL cholesterol.

HEART TONIC: A helpful tonic to strengthen the heart is obtained by using: HAWTHORN BERRIES, CAYENNE, LECITHIN and VITAMIN E. This combination will not only break down cholesterol in the bloodstream  but it will also break down cholesterol deposits built up over a

period of years.

ARTERIES: To cleanse congested arteries and improve the circulation: CAYENNE, PARSLEY, GINGER, GINSENG, GOLDEN SEAL ROOT and GARLIC, have a deobstruent effect, helping to dissolve clots, plaque, cholesterol, and dilate the blood vessels. Adding onions to one's  diet daily is an additional help.

Plant-based foods may help you rein in high cholesterol.

Although a diet that is low in fat and saturated fat may help lower both total and LDL cholesterol, a new study suggests you could do more. Eating a variety of veggies, whole grains, and legumes appears to make the usual low-fat, cholesterol-control diet even more effective.

>Mono unsaturated fat in avocados lowers cholesterol.

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE? EAT CELERY AND OLIVE OIL. Olive oil has been shown to lower blood pressure. Celery contains a chemical that lowers pressure too. Aubergine or eggplant lowers blood pressure. If you don't like eating it, make a smoothie from it. Mix it with other flavours. Its own flavour is bland enough to be easily disguised - reaction is virtually immediate

Alfalfa is full of calcium, vitamins A, B1, B6, B12, C, E and niacin. Very good for lowering cholesterol, preventing atherosclerosis, and for fighting infection.

Research shows that the beneficial effects of olive oil may extend beyond cholesterol control.  Replacing saturated fats with unsaturated fats such as olive oil can help reduce cholesterol and keep the heart healthy. Now researchers have discovered that fresh extra-virgin olive oil contains a compound that helps fight inflammation.

Reducing the fat and cholesterol in your diet has become one of the most challenging tasks. So here is a list of substitutions you may consider to help cut down on them. It's a life-style. You will feel better and eat healthier

Instead of: Choose:

Bacon Canadian Bacon

Butter = Polyunsaturated margarine, with liquid oil listed as first  ingredient

Cheese = Lowfat (1% or 2%) cottage cheese, part skim mozzarella, part- skim ricotta or non-fat mozzarella or ricotta.

Chicken with skin = Chicken without the skin, leg or breast

Chocolate, unsweetened= 3 tbs. unsweetened cocoa plus 1 tbs. salad oil per ounce chocolate.

Cream Sauce = Tomato sauce or pureed vegetable sauce.

Doughnut or other cake = Angel food cake

Eggs = 1 egg plus 2 egg whites for every 2 eggs OR use egg  substitute.

Ground beef = Use extra lean beef or ground turkey.

Ice Cream = Frozen lowfat or nonfat yogurt, sorbet or ice milk.

Mayonnaise = Use light or non-fat mayonnaise. You can also mix equal
parts mayonnaise and plain yogurt together.

Milk, whole or nondairy creamer = Use lowfat (1% or 2%) or nonfat  milk

Sour Cream = Plain lowfat or nonfat yogurt, or lowfat or nonfat  cottage cheese - blended until smooth.

64 ounces unsweetened apple juice

40 to 42 ounces unsweetened grape juice

7 ounces apple cider vinegar

Mix and refrigerate.  Drink 2 ounces daily.