Known medically as hypercholesterolemia, high cholesterol levels occur when the liver produces too much cholesterol, the body cannot remove LDL (low-density lipoproteins, aka 'bad cholesterol') from the blood efficiently, or with poor dietary choices. Factors that put one at risk for high cholesterol include diabetes, family history, high blood pressure, lack of exercise, obesity poor diet, and cigarette smoking. Untreated, high cholesterol can lead to atherosclerosis, which in turn can lead to irreparable heart damage.
Diagnosed with high cholesterol, your doctor will likely initially suggest diet modification and lifestyle changes. Upon failure to adhere to these programs effectively, you may need to be prescribed drugs such as bile acid-binding resins (which cause the liver to use excess cholesterol to make more bile acids), cholesterol-absorption inhibitors (which reduce the absorption of dietary cholesterol), and statins (the most commonly prescribed drugs, which inhibit the action of a liver enzyme responsible for cholesterol production). Each of these types of drugs carry with them side effects that affect your digestive system, muscles, liver, and possibly more.
Natural health care is invaluable for treating high cholesterol levels. A nutritional counsellor can recommend the right diet and supplement choices, such as fish oil or garlic. Exercise such as yoga can help you lose any excess weight and also keep your cholesterol levels low. Acupuncture and TCM can help reduce your cholesterol levels, while lowering your stress and boosting your energy. Massage therapy is excellent for lowering stress levels.
Contact us for a FREE consultation on how natural therapy can help you lower your cholesterol levels and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
These links may also be helpful:
