Cholesterol is known to lie dormant in the body with no obvious symptoms of its sinister ways until too late. If you are prone to an unhealthy diet with little to no exercise you can be sure you may be heading to a high cholesterol health disaster. Could a daily pill help to counteract rising levels?
Known for its distinctive odour, garlic has many health benefits including alleviating digestive problems and lowering the clotting properties for blood.
Garlic is one of the most widely purchased herbal supplements used to lower cholesterol levels.
Research involving both animals and humans suggest that garlic can lower cholesterol levels and triglyceride levels.
In a study published in the National Library of Health, the effects of garlic supplementation on cholesterol levels were analysed.
To investigate the effect of garlic on total cholesterol in people with elevated levels, researchers conducted a meta-analysis of randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials.
Selected trials were analysed which included people with a mean total cholesterol level of at least 5.17 mmol/L (200 mg/dL).
In the 13 trials included in the meta-analysis, garlic was found to reduce total cholesterol level from baseline significantly more than placebo.
“The available data suggest that garlic is superior to placebo in reducing total cholesterol levels,” concluded the study.
To lower your cholesterol levels, taking garlic supplements and eating a diet high in healthy fats, while avoiding too much saturated fat will help tremendously.
The NHS says: “To reduce your cholesterol, try to cut down on fatty food, especially food that contains a type of fat called saturated fat.
“You can still have foods that contain a healthier type of fat called unsaturated fat.”
Source: | This article first appeared on Express.co.uk
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