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To lower cholesterol with home remedies it is important to give preference to foods rich in omegas 3 and 6 and fiber, as they help to decrease fat absorption and promote the regulation of cholesterol levels. It is important that home remedies are used as a way to complement the treatment indicated by the doctor.
Cholesterol is a fatty, whitish, odorless substance that cannot be seen or perceived in the taste of food. The main types of cholesterol are good cholesterol (HDL) which must be above 60 mg / dL and bad cholesterol (LDL), which must be below 130 mg / dL. Keeping blood cholesterol values properly balanced is important to ensure the proper functioning of the hormonal system and prevent cardiovascular diseases, such as heart attack and stroke. Learn more about the types of cholesterol.
Best home remedies to lower cholesterol
Home remedies are useful to help control the level of cholesterol in the blood because they have properties that facilitate the elevation of HDL and decrease the absorption of LDL, thus improving total cholesterol. Some examples are:
| Benefit | How to use |
Artichoke | Protects the liver and decreases the concentration of bad cholesterol. | Cook in water for 7 minutes and then eat. |
Flax seeds | It has fibers and omega 3 and 6 that when absorbed in the intestine fight bad cholesterol. | Add 1 tablespoon of flax seeds to soups, salads, yogurt, juice, milk or smoothie. |
Eggplant tincture | Contains fibers that favor the elimination of cholesterol in the stool. | Soak 4 slices of eggplant peel in cereal alcohol for 10 days. Then strain with a paper filter and take 1 spoon (of coffee) of the liquid part diluted in half a glass of water, twice a day. |
Mate tea | It has properties that decrease the absorption of fat from food. | Boil 1 liter of water with 3 teaspoons mate, strain and take during the day. |
Fenugreek Tea | Its seeds help to reduce blood cholesterol. | Boil 1 cup of water with 1 tablespoon of fenugreek seeds for 5 minutes. Take warm. |
Despite being indicated to control cholesterol, these home remedies are not a substitute for diet, exercise and the remedies indicated by the cardiologist, but they are excellent forms of therapeutic complement.
To be able to lower bad cholesterol, it is recommended to follow a healthy diet, consuming only good fat sources such as olive oil, olives, avocados and nuts, and excluding foods with fats harmful to the body, such as those present in industrialized and processed foods. A good strategy is to observe the amount of fat on the food label and packaging to assess whether it is safe to eat or not.
Watch the following video to learn about other home remedies listed:
Recipes to lower cholesterol
These recipes are great strategies to lower cholesterol, being a great option for a healthy and balanced meal.
1. Avocado cream
Avocado cream is rich in healthy fats and antioxidants, which helps to reduce bad cholesterol. To make this cream, just blend 1 ripe avocado in the blender with 100 mL of skimmed milk and sweeten to taste.
2. Eggplant pancake with flaxseed
Eggplant has functional properties that help to balance cholesterol and triglycerides, while flaxseed is rich in omegas 3 and 6 and also creates a gum in the stomach prolonging the satiety effect of the meal, helping in the weight loss process.
To make the pancake batter, just beat in a blender 1 cup of skim milk, 1 cup of whole wheat flour, 1 egg, 1/4 cup of oil, salt and oregano. Then, you can make the filling for the pancake, and for that, you must sauté 1 eggplant and 1 shredded chicken breast and season to taste. Another option is to slice the eggplant and bake with spices such as fresh garlic, salt, onion, lemon and curry.
3. Lettuce salad with carrots and lemon
The lettuce salad with carrots and lemon contributes to lower cholesterol because it is low in fat. To do this, place chopped lettuce, grated raw carrots, sliced onions in a container and season with 1 squeezed lemon and a few cloves of fresh garlic.
4. Braised green soybeans
Green soy in the pod contains isoflavones that help reduce cholesterol, is low in fats and the quality of soy protein is very similar to that of meat, with the advantage of not containing cholesterol, surpassing in quality all other vegetable proteins.
To make sauteed green soy, it is recommended to cook the green soy in water and after soft, season with soy sauce, vinegar and ginger powder.
5. Brown rice with carrots
Brown rice with carrots is rich in fibers that favor the elimination of fat molecules by feces, in addition to B vitamins, minerals such as zinc, selenium, copper and manganese as well as phytochemicals with antioxidant action. The outer layer of brown rice contains oryzanol, a substance known to prevent and control cardiovascular disease.
To make brown rice with carrots, simply sauté brown rice with garlic, onion and salt and then add water and grated carrots.
See more information on what to eat to lower cholesterol by watching the following video: