Changing food habits, ready to eat meals and other processed foods have contributed to increase in lipid levels in your body. While medicines help to control lipid levels, many people wish to find natural remedies. Here are some natural ways to reduce lipid levels in your body.
Cholesterol is produced by the liver in human body and needed for the proper functioning of nerves, cells and hormones. Though it traverses through lipid which are fatty acids found in bloodstream, it can gradually accumulate around the arteries, disturbing the natural flow of blood in the body. Over time, excess accumulation of cholesterol can elevate the risk of heart attacks or even stroke that might prove fatal for the person.
Though, cholesterol is needed in the right balance in the body, transition towards junk or processed food has caused an increase in its normal level in the body. Additionally, sedentary lifestyle, inactivity and the rise of other lifestyle disorders has added to the problem. There is a range of medicines used for lowering cholesterol in the blood and is used with prescription. However, many of us may prefer using natural ways to reduce lipid levels in your body.
10 Natural Ways to Reduce Lipid Levels
While, exercise and workout can ensure your body stays active, your diet and nutritional intake has a lot to influence your overall wellbeing. They can also influence your cholesterol and lipid levels in your body. Hence, natural ways to reduce lipid levels in your body, mainly include choosing natural foods and incorporating healthy dietary changes. Home remedies always prove beneficial when it comes to treatment of diseases and they do not have any side effect too.
Here are some of the natural ways to reduce lipid levels in your body.
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Say Hi to Veggies and Seasonal Fruits
Fresh vegetables and seasonal fruits are a wholesome meal that can help to regulate disturbing lipid levels in the body. Presence of fiber, stanols and sterols in fruits help to lower cholesterol, thereby reducing the risk of heart attacks and stroke. Go in for seasonal fruits and vegetables like plums, green leafy vegetables, strawberries, oranges, carrots etc. This is one of the best natural ways to reduce lipids in your body.
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Unsaturated Fats Can Help
Going in for oil that is unsaturated in nature could help reduce lipid levels in the body. Olive oil, sesame oil, sunflower oil could be used instead of refined oil used as a cooking medium. Incorporate food items like flax seeds, almonds, sunflower seeds and soybean can help as they are rich in unsaturated fats in your daily diet.
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Go for Whole Grain
Including whole grains like wheat, oats and barley is one of the most effective natural ways to reduce lipid levels in your body. They contain fiber and beta glucan, which acts as a binding agent in the intestine, prevents absorption of cholesterol and promotes lowering lipid levels.
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Red Yeast Rice
Yeast rice is found to contain a compound called monacolins. This helps in absorption of cholesterol in the body thereby keeping its level optimum. Including red rice in your diet will help in control high lipid levels in the body.
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Stay Away from Shocking Sugar
Excessive intake of refined sugar can be very harmful and contribute to rise of cholesterol. Moreover, choose complex carbs over simple sugars. Go for whole grain products, brown rice and completely avoid sugar to naturally reduce lipid levels.
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Garlic and Onion:
Garlic is found to have exceptional cholesterol lowering qualities and is one of the most effective natural ways to reduce lipid levels in your body. The simplest approach is to eat raw garlic on empty stomach every morning. Onions on the other hand are also helpful. Simply put 2 drops of honey in a spoon of onion juice and drink it daily for two weeks for better results.
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Lose Extra Weight
Obesity can be a significant factor contributing to high lipid levels in the body. Making efforts to shed those extra pounds and maintain an ideal weight is also one of the best natural ways to reduce lipid level in your body. Whether it is physical activity, dietary changes, you will have to figure out what works for your body. Stick to your weight goals and maintain regularity.
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Avoid Smoking
Smoking is not only injurious to health it can also have a bad effect on your lipid profile. It is best to quit smoking, if you do, to naturally reduce lipid levels. This would help to control the high levels of HDL. Within 20 minutes of quitting smoking, your heart rate and blood pressure can improve and eventually help in lowering cholesterol as well. Having completely stopped smoking for a year will restore your wellbeing reducing the risk of heart attacks.
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Stay Active
Sedentary lifestyle and lack of workout can be very detrimental in the long run exposing you to a higher risk of heart diseases and cancers. Healthy living goes beyond the exteriors of physical health and involves better emotional stability and wellbeing. Healthy living is not only about physical health that caters to regular diet and physical activity but is also about your social connections and the rapport you share with them. Plan a regular exercise program, participate in sports or do household chores to stay active. Choose to go out with friends, listen to music and practice your favorite hobby to stay emotionally fit.
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Channelize your Stress
Real life can be really boring when you are bound to work responsibilities and the mundane routine. Therefore, it is important that you take time out in any activity or pastime that can offer a much needed change from the daily grind. Whether, it’s cooking, gardening, reading or playing a game of poker, indulge in any activity that can recharge your mood and energy levels from time to time. Plan healthy breaks and outings during weekends and vacations.
In addition to following these natural ways to reduce lipid levels in your body, it is important to promote good health and monitor any existing health condition. Lipid profile can be assessed through blood tests and checking the levels regularly can help to monitor the changes. If the lipid levels do not show any improvement, you may have to consider taking medical treatment with appropriate medical advice.