Take These Five Steps to Naturally Reduce Cholesterol

If you're trying to reduce cholesterol or simply eager to maintain a healthy body then there are a few steps you can take that don't require prescription medication, expensive super foods or ridiculous diets. Keeping your cholesterol low is important to maintain a healthy heart, affects millions every year and is an issue which despite being largely ignored over history has now been recognised as holding just as much importance as many of the other modern day health issues that you read about.

Here are 5 steps that will help you reduce cholesterol.

1. This step requires a little motivation from you but the benefits are two-fold; lower cholesterol levels AND a leaner, shapelier body for you to be proud of - Exercise. Not only is this a natural method to reduce cholesterol, but also free. You don't need to pay membership for a fancy gym and you're not required to fork out for a personal trainer. With a small amount of determination try running or walking for a period of no less than 40 minutes at least four times a week. Exercise has been shown to set off a series of enzymatic reactions in your body which increase HDL levels, known as the good cholesterol, which in turn, help to reduce the levels of LDL, the bad cholesterol.

2. Step 2 is a little more difficult to achieve and largely depends on your personal circumstances; Stress. Stress raises your cholesterol level so it is vital that stress at work, or home is reduced. The previous step is a solid method of reducing stress but if you can try and occasionally take a breather from your high pressure job or dedicate a little more time every day for "personal" time then it will help. Now I understand that you can't always relax at work, especially if you're in a position of responsibility and if you have children you won't necessarily be able to leave them alone. However, perhaps if you could find time to engage in some sort of relaxation then you might find it helps. Yoga is ideal for this as it allows you to relax, take a little time for yourself and is great for your body.

3. There is also a school of thought that says certain herbs can assist you reduce cholesterol. There is an ancient Indian medicine found in the gum of the Myrrh tree, called Gugulip, which is able to lower LDL by approximately a tenth.

4. You can also take naturally occurring plant compounds. There are some plant compounds that prevent the body from absorbing cholesterol. Their chemical composition is similar to that of cholesterol so fool the body into thinking it has enough and force the body into blocking further cholesterol from being absorbed. Try eating certain nuts like pistachios and sesame seeds amongst others for a source.

5. Finally, there is another naturally occurring spice, also commonly found in Indian food; Turmeric. Turmeric is the yellow coloured ingredient that you probably already have sitting in your cupboards at home, or if not, is easily sort at your local shop. Turmeric contains cur cumin which directly affects the production of LDL in you intestine and is another method you could try.

As with all health concerns you may have, you can consult your doctor. This won't necessarily result in you being issued prescription medication but is it is certainly something you should consider before partaking in a concerted drive to reduce cholesterol.

Mike Alford is the creator and editor of reducecholesterolsecrets.com ReduceCholesterolSecrets.com. Read more invaluable information about how to reducecholesterolsecrets.com/reduce-cholesterol reduce cholesterol by visiting his website and reading the plethora of articles it contains. You can then subscribe to the 10-part Cholesterol Reduction Mini-Course within the site.