How to lower 'bad' cholesterol naturally

It is a fact that high levels of LDL cholesterol can be responsible for arteriosclerosis which often leads to heart attacks and strokes.
For many, the only solution seems to be taking "Statins". However, those have a number of serious side effects, such as nausea, diarrhoea, vitamin deficiencies, flatulence, increased risk of bleeding, inability to produce blood, excema, joint and back pain, impotence, impaired vision, inflammation of liver and pancreas, muscle damage etc etc.
The Society for Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics in Bad Aachen/Germany has issued a statement that certain food can lower bad cholesterol substantially.

- Plantago ovata (dietary fibre, psyllium) absorbs cholesterol in the intestinal tract and helps to dispose of it in a "natural" way.
- Oat bran - boosts the production of bile in the liver, which forces the organism to use up LDL cholesterol.
- Inulin is a natural dietary fibre to lower cholesterol and has a similiar effect as oat bran. It can be found in chicoree, onions, garlic, asparagus, artichokes and topinambur. If you suffer from a coagulation disorder (increased tendency for bleeding), stay clear of garlic!

- Further beneficial food are apples, olive oil, nuts (walnuts have the most benefits when it comes to lowering bad cholesterol), celeriac, soya products.
- There are some supplements you might want to try: Niacin (Vit B3) - 1.5 mg per day. Vitamin C - 200 to 500 mg per day together with Vitamin E (70 to 140 mg per day.



Moreoever, half an hour exercise a day - going for a walk, power walking, swimming, gardening and cycling can boost the cholesterol-lowering effects of your new diet even more.


If you have been prescribed Statins and want to come off them, please don't do this without consulting your GP!