4 plants to fight against cholesterol

2 minutes read

If the link between the consumption of plants and the reduction of cholesterol levels is marginal, you can nevertheless succeed in reducing its presence in your blood a little thanks to the virtues of certain natural remedies.

Produced naturally by the liver but also ingested with food, cholesterol is eliminated by the bile. If you limit your intake of foods high in cholesterol and you don’t have metabolic problems, there is no danger. On the other hand, if you have a diet too rich in saturated fats (dairy products, meat, eggs) or if you have a disease affecting the kidneys, liver or thyroid, or suffer from obesity, the natural elimination of cholesterol can be altered.

An essential constituent of the cell wall, cholesterol is a component of many hormones and allows the synthesis of vitamin D. As such, our body cannot do without it, and the total elimination of cholesterol would have had a disastrous effect on our body. On the other hand, the excess of cholesterol is not good either insofar as this substance clogs our arteries, preventing the good circulation of the blood, which can of course have fatal consequences. Although an abnormal level of cholesterol is a medical problem, in addition to drug therapy and in agreement with your doctor, there are some natural remedies that you can try.

Table of Contents

1. Garlic

In 2010, an American study published in The Journal of Nutrition demonstrated that the daily consumption of dried and ground garlic induced a 7% reduction in cholesterol levels in men suffering from hypercholesterolemia. The sulfur compounds used in the composition of garlic indeed reduce the concentration of cholesterol in the plasma.

2. Liquorice

According to an Israeli study conducted in 2002, the consumption of ground licorice reduced the amount of cholesterol in plasma by 5% . The powder of this root is also used against cough, for detoxification purposes following excessive consumption of acids, and has anti-inflammatory properties. However, be careful not to eat too much or too often, because licorice increases blood pressure and dilutes the blood.

3. Ginger

The effect of ginger is less direct, but studies on mice have established that the consumption of this root delayed the progression of aortic atherosclerosis , a disease of which hypercholesterolemia would be one of the causes.

4. Turmeric

The ability of Turmeric to lower cholesterol levels in humans has not been studied, but studies conducted on mammals (rats, guinea pigs, chickens) suggest it. This phenomenon could be due to the propensity of turmeric to convert cholesterol into bile acids.

But rest assured: in most cases, cholesterol should not worry you. If in doubt about this, have a blood test performed by a laboratory. And if an abnormality is found, consult a doctor above all and avoid self-medication.