Best supplements for cholesterol: These two lower levels and improve cardiovascular health

Cholesterol is found in cells walls and membranes throughout the body, including the brain, nerves, muscles, skin, liver, intestines and heart. Cholesterol is used to produce sex hormones including oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone and also vitamin D and bile acids that help a person digest fat. When people discuss cholesterol, the terms LDL and HDL are often used which are both lipoproteins being compounds made of fat and protein responsible for carrying cholesterol throughout the body in the blood. LDL cholesterol is Low-Density Lipoproteinand often referred to as “bad” cholesterol due to the negative impact it poses on the body. What supplements could help?

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As cholesterol is a waxy substance it can’t mix with blood, which is watery. Much like oil in a salad dressing, the two substances remain separate.

LDLs are the primary foes in the body. LDLs carry most of the cholesterol in the blood, depositing it into cells, including arteries.

There these particles contribute to the formation of plaque, which narrows the arteries.

That reduces the amount of blood that can get through, diminishing the amount of oxygen that reaches the heart.

Fear not, there are supplements out there that can help lower cholesterol and reduce your risk of serious health complications.

Most people are unaware what type of LDL they have because the tests to determine it are too expensive and complicated for the typical doctor’s office.

This means many people are walking around completely oblivious as to how much LDL their body has.

High LDL cholesterol over time can damage arteries which contribute to heart disease and an increase in risk of a stroke.

According to research taking either fish oil or plant sterol supplements could help. How?

Fish Oil

Fish oils are some of the most popular and best-selling supplements out there. The supplements are so well regarded in the medical industry due to the omega 3 fatty acids they contain.

It’s well-known that increasing the amount of fish in your diet, as well as supplementing with fish oils, it may have a big impact on lowering cholesterol.

This is achieved by improving one’s overall health of their cardiovascular system.

By ensuring the body is in the best state possible, a person can help to prevent the excessive build-up of cholesterol and fish oil supplements could aid in this.

Nutritionist Jenna Hope added: “Some research suggests that fish oil may be beneficial in reducing low-density liporotein (LDL) cholesterol, aka the bad cholesterol, as well as increasing high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, aka the good cholesterol.”

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Plant sterols

Plant sterols have been approved by The European Commission to help safely lower cholesterol levels with impressive results.

Plant sterols serve a function which is similar to cholesterol, by providing structure and integrity to the membranes of plant cells. Taking plant sterols partially blocks the absorption of cholesterol into the bloodstream.

This, in turn, can help to limit the amount that may eventually build up in the interior of the artery walls, helping to further promote one’s cardiovascular health.

Jenna added: “Plant sterols have been found to bind to LDL cholesterol in order to prevent them being absorbed back into the body’s cholesterol pool.

“Research has found that 2-3g of plant sterols/stanols are required on a daily basis in order to have significant cholesterol lowering affects, which is typically more than the average one-a-day supplement sold on the pharmacy shelf.

“It is also always recommended that individuals speak to a health care professional when considering supplementation due to the risks of interactions with other medicines.”

The NHS advises: “Eating a healthy diet and doing regular exercise can help lower the level of cholesterol in your blood.

“Adopting healthy habits, such as eating a healthy, balanced diet and keeping active, can also help prevent your cholesterol levels becoming high in the first place.

“It’s important to keep your cholesterol in check because high cholesterol levels increase your risk of heart disease and stroke.”

It’s important to consult your GP before embarking on any new supplements to help lower your cholesterol.

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