Myths and Misconseptions about Cholesterol Lowering Herbs

Are you interested in a more natural approach to treating high cholesterol levels? Do you want to drive down your cholesterol for a longer, healthier life?

There are several natural herbs that are known (or thought to be known) to help lower cholesterol levels. Among them are:

Flaxseed - Flaxseed Oil:

Flaxseed is the actual seed of the flax plant, and is thought to have originally come from Egypt. It grows throughout Canada and the northwestern United States. Flaxseed oil comes from compressed flaxseeds. Both flaxseed and flaxseed oil have been used in attempts at lowering high cholesterol naturally.

Whole or crushed flaxseed can be mixed with water or juice and taken by mouth. Flaxseed is also available in powder or meal form, and is often used to make breads and muffins. Flaxseed oil is available in liquid and capsule form.

According to the FDA, studies of flaxseed preparations to lower cholesterol levels report mixed results. (These studies seem promising, however, as they are still ongoing).

Garlic:

Garlic is an edible bulb and has been used as both a medicine and a spice for many years. (It is also purported to be able to keep vampires at bay!) Garlic's most common uses as a dietary supplement are for high cholesterol, heart disease, and high blood pressure. Garlic cloves can be eaten raw or cooked. They may also be dried or powdered and used in tablets and capsules. Raw garlic cloves can be used to make oils and liquid extracts.

These are some good reports that imply that taking garlic can slightly lower blood cholesterol levels; studies have shown small but good effects for from 1 to 3 months of use. However, an NCCAM-funded study on the safety and effectiveness of three of the garlic preparations most commonly used (fresh garlic, dried powdered garlic tablets, and aged garlic extract tablets) for lowering blood cholesterol levels found no effect. (The jury is still out on this one.)

Grape Seed Extract:

The grape seeds used to produce grape seed extract are most often obtained from wine manufacturers - their leftovers actually. The leaves and fruit of the grape have been used medicinally since ancient times in Greece. Grape seed extract is used for several aliments related to the heart and blood vessels, such as atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

Grape seed extract is available in either capsule or tablet forms. Laboratory studies have shown that grape seed contains antioxidants-substances that prevent cell damage caused by free radicals, (In a nutshell, free radicals are everywhere in our environment and diet and are responsible for quite a bit of cell damage and cell dysfunction.) However, according to the FDA, it is still unclear how grape seed might affect cholesterol levels.

Green Tea:

All types of tea (green, black, and oolong) are produced from the Camellia Sinensis plant. Fresh leaves from this plant are steamed to produce the "green teas".

Green tea and green tea extracts have also been used for improving mental alertness, aiding in weight loss, lowering cholesterol levels, and protecting skin from sun damage. Green tea is usually brewed and drunk as a beverage. Green tea extracts can be taken in capsules and are sometimes used in skin products.

Red Clover:

Red clover belongs to the family of plants called legumes (Pean and beans are the most well known legumes). Red clover contains phytoestrogens-very much like the female hormone, estrogen. Current uses of red clover are for menopausal symptoms, breast pain associated with menstrual cycles, high cholesterol, osteoporosis, and symptoms of prostate enlargement.

The flowering tops of the red clover plant are used to prepare extracts and they are available in tablets and capsules, as well as in teas and liquid forms. According to the FDA, there is not enough scientific evidence to determine whether red clover is effective for lowering your cholesterol levels.

Soy:

Soy, a plant in the pea family, has been a common factor in Asian diets for many years. It is found in modern American diets as a food or food additive and is very often used in vegetarian diets because of it's versatility and the easy way in which its taste can be altered.

People use soy products to prevent or treat a many health conditions, including high cholesterol levels, menopausal symptoms like hot flashes, osteoporosis, high blood pressure, breast cancer, and prostate cancer.

Soy is available in a wide variety of forms such as tablets and capsules. Soy supplements may contain isoflavones or soy protein or both. Soybeans can be cooked and eaten 'as is' or used to make tofu, soy milk, and other types of foods. Also, soy is sometimes used as an additive in some foods, including baked goods, cheese, and pasta. According to FDA Research it is suggested that a daily intake of soy protein may slightly lower levels of LDL ("bad") cholesterol.