How To Reduce Your Cholesterol Levels Naturally

Your BMI might be on point, you might not be overweight, and you might show absolutely no symptoms of high cholesterol. Until you get yourself tested or fall prey to a stroke or heart disease. So, before you have to deal with the complications, here are some natural home remedies that will help lower your cholesterol levels. Keep reading!

What Is Cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a kind of fat (lipid) present in your blood. Your cells need cholesterol to function normally, and your body makes it. However, you also get extra cholesterol from fatty foods that you consume.

When you have more than the required amount of cholesterol in your body, it starts building up in your arteries. This condition is known as atherosclerosis. This may further lead to heart and blood flow problems like blood clots, heart attacks, and strokes.

The condition of suffering from high cholesterol is medically termed as hypercholesterolemia.

There are mainly two types of cholesterol:

Low-Density Lipoproteins (LDL) – LDL is the bad cholesterol that increases your risk of heart disease and stroke.

High-Density Lipoproteins (HDL) – HDL is the good cholesterol that reduces your risk of developing heart disease and stroke.

Let us now look at the factors (other than your diet) that may lead to high levels of bad cholesterol and lower the levels of good cholesterol.

What Causes High Cholesterol?

The following are the most common factors that affect your cholesterol levels:

• Foods Rich In Saturated And Trans Fats: Consuming these foods regularly can increase the levels of LDL or bad cholesterol.


• Overweight: Being overweight can lower the levels of good cholesterol and increase the levels of bad cholesterol.


• Inactivity: Not exercising and being inactive can increase your LDL levels and increase the HDL levels.


• Age: Cholesterol (LDL) levels usually begin to rise after 20 years.


• Family History: Those with a family history of high cholesterol levels are prone to the condition.

Let’s now look at the possible symptoms associated with high cholesterol.

Signs And Symptoms Of High Cholesterol

Most of the time, you may not know that you have high cholesterol levels until you get yourself tested.

In some cases, individuals find out about their high cholesterol levels only after suffering a stroke or heart attack. However, such situations only occur when the high cholesterol levels lead to the formation of plaque.

Given below are the varying cholesterol levels that range from normal to high.

Cholesterol Levels

A blood test is almost the only way to find out if your cholesterol is too high.

• High Cholesterol – Above 240 mg/dl


• Borderline High Cholesterol – 200-239 mg/dl


• Normal Cholesterol – Below 200 mg/dl

Today, most individuals suffer from high cholesterol levels and are thus at high risk of heart attacks and strokes. Hence, the earlier you bring down your cholesterol levels, the better it is for your health. Here are a few home remedies that can help you lower bad cholesterol levels naturally.

1. Holy Basil Essential Oil

You Will Need

• 2 drops of holy basil oil


• 1 glass of water

What You Have To Do

1. Add two drops of holy basil oil to a glass of water.


2. Mix well and consume.

How Often You Should Do This

You must consume this mixture twice daily.

Why This Works

Holy basil essential oil is known for its cholesterol-lowering effects, owing to the presence of a compound called eugenol in it

2. Vitamins

Vitamins B3, E, and C are known to reduce the serum cholesterol levels. Vitamin C supplementation was found to reduce LDL levels . Vitamins B3 and E help combat symptoms of high cholesterol like atherosclerosis by reducing the build-up of cholesterol in your arteries.

Foods rich in these vitamins include citrus fruits, green leafy vegetables, chicken, mushroom, tuna, almonds, and sweet potato.

3. Fish Oil

You Will Need

1000 mg of fish oil supplements

What You Have To Do

1. Take 1000 mg of fish oil supplements.


2. You can also consume fish like sardines, salmon, mackerel, and tuna.

How Often You Should Do This

You must do this on a daily basis.

Why This Works

Fish oil is a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids. Regular intake of these fatty acids is one of the best and easiest ways to reduce your cholesterol levels. They also help reduce your risk of heart disease .

4. Coconut Oil

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You Will Need

Coconut oil (as required)

What You Have To Do

1. Add coconut oil to your favorite dishes and salads in moderate amounts.


2. You can also replace your cooking oil with coconut oil.


3. Alternatively, you can consume a tablespoon of coconut oil every morning.

How Often You Should Do This

You must do this on a daily basis.

Why This Works

Coconut oil is known to increase the good cholesterol levels in your blood. This, in turn, helps lower the bad cholesterol levels and also protects you from heart disease by helping you keep your weight in check .

5. Garlic

You Will Need

Minced garlic cloves

What You Have To Do

1. Add minced garlic cloves to salads and other dishes.


2. You can also chew on peeled garlic cloves.

How Often You Should Do This

You must consume garlic on a daily basis.

Why This Works

Garlic contains a compound called allicin that is only released when you crush it. This compound is known reduce your cholesterol naturally .

6. Green Tea

You Will Need

• 1 teaspoon of green tea


• 1 cup of water


• Honey

What You Have To Do

1. Add a teaspoon of green tea to a cup of water.


2. Bring it to a boil in a saucepan.


3. Simmer for 5 minutes and strain.


4. When the tea cools down a little, add some honey to it.


5. Drink it while it is warm.

How Often You Should Do This

You must drink this thrice daily.

Why This Works

The powerful antioxidant potential of green tea is due to the presence of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) in it, which helps bring down the bad cholesterol (LDL) levels .

7. Yogurt

You Will Need

1 bowl of probiotic yogurt

What You Have To Do

Consume a bowl of probiotic yogurt.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this daily for best results.

Why This Works

Probiotic yogurt contains good bacteria that enhance your gut health and play a significant role in lowering your cholesterol levels naturally