Thirty percent of Americans have borderline high cholesterol levels, which may increase the risk of heart disease, one of the leading causes of death in the United States. Now is the perfect time to take measures to lower your cholesterol naturally.
Several Chinese herbs and herbal formulas are used to lower cholesterol levels. Shan Zha (Fructus Crataegi) also known as Hawthorn berry, has been shown to reduce LDL cholesterol levels and also lower blood pressure.
Most herbal medicines are not single herbs but a blend of herbs specifically chosen for you. Please talk to your practitioner about which herbal formulas and supplements for high cholesterol and heart health are right for you.
Foods that are effective in aiding your cholesterol levels include:
Fiber-rich foods such as oatmeal, wholegrains, fruits, vegetables and legumes (beans, soybeans).
Soy products help lower cholesterol levels because of their isoflavone content.
Garlic, onions, avocados, salmon, almonds and walnuts are important in your diet.
Omega-3 oils such as flax seed oil and fish oil helps lower cholesterol. These can be found in tablet form and in walnuts, flaxseeds, beans, salmon, olive oil and winter squash. Check out my previous entries on winter squash.
Copper and Chromium are minerals that have been shown to lower cholesterol levels. Copper is found in organ meats, seafood, nuts, and seeds, and chromium is in onions, broccoli, turkey, and tomatoes.
Green tea has been shown to be extremely effective in the fight against high cholesterol by reducing “bad” cholesterol and boosting “good” cholesterol, improving your overall cholesterol profile. Drinking green tea also seems to enhance cardiovascular health by improving the consistency of platelets in the blood. For more information on Green Tea and lowering your cholesterol levels, check out my previous post on green tea
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Hi Jennifer,<br><br>As a long time patient of yours, I have a request. I would like you to write about air travel and acupuncture. Last month, just before I had to make a long trip, I came down with a bad cold and sore throat. In a bit of a panic, I called you and you fit me in before I left. You did your needle magic, the throat pain disappeared immediately, and my cold was quiet by the next