Blogging PostsQuality Articles On Wide Range Of Topics. Share Practical Skills.

Atherosclerosis is known commonly as hardening of the arteries and is one of the leading signs of high cholesterol. It also is a danger signal for an increased risk of stroke or heart attack. Making sure your cholesterol levels are in balance is of utmost importance. It is possible to reduce cholesterol naturally through simple diet adjustments and cholesterol lowering dietary supplements.

There are actually several different diet strategies to help balance cholesterol levels that vary widely yet have provided effective results. Even though a low fat diet has been promoted heavily the last few decades, research does not support the idea that such a diet is the best option for most people.

For some examples of different dietary approaches that are being used successfully, Dr. Dean Ornish has assisted many people with heart disease by combining a vegetarian diet with exercise and stress reduction. Dr. Barry Sears has success using a much different approach to diet. Dr. Sears is the creator of the Zone Diet which is usually considered to be one of many different variations of the so called “low carb diet.”

Dr. Sears advocates a strict regulation of carbohydrate, fat and protein ratios in meals which can help regulate metabolism. This approach often results in healthy weight loss as well as improving cholesterol balance. There have been reports of health improvements in many different areas as a result of following Dr. Sears’ diet plan.

Cholesterol lowering nutritional supplements are another effective option that can help to lower cholesterol naturally. There is quite a lot of variation in the quality of supplements available. Of course, you’ll get the best results with high quality supplements produced in accordance with GMP (good manufacturing practice) standards.

Some of the most effective cholesterol reducing nutrients include, policosanol, guggulipid, beta sitosterol, theaflavins, green tea extract and tumeric extract. These natural substances are very effective at helping to balance cholesterol levels and have been validated in many clinical research studies. Of the nutrients listed, policosanol and guggulipid can be considered the most important.

There are many products currently on the market claiming to use policosanol, but many in fact are using an incomplete form of policosanol called octacosanol. Octacosanol will NOT give the positive results outlined in the clinical trials. The cholesterol lowering results apply ONLY to the genuine policosanol extracted from sugar cane wax which is produced in Cuba.

As you can see, doing some simple research before you choose a cholesterol health supplement can make a difference. Check to confirm that the manufacturer uses genuine policosanol. Also, check to see if the product has been properly tested for biological contamination and that it is produced in a GMP (good manufacturing practice) facility as well as meeting the U.S. and/or the British Pharmacopoeia standards.

To lower cholesterol naturally by making simple diet changes and using high quality nutritional supplements is a strategy that has been proven and can help you avoid the possible dangers and side effects of prescription medications. Consult with your health care provider before changing any medications you may be taking and before beginning any new supplementation .

About the author: Max Wardlow’s website is about dietary supplements where you can find out more about lowering cholesterol.