Cholesterol is a waxy substance found in a persons’s blood and in their cells. There are two forms of cholesterol: Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and High-density lipoprotein (HDL). Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is the unhealthy kind of cholesterol often referred to as ‘bad’ – high levels of LDL cholesterol can damage a person’s arteries, contribute to heart disease, and increase their risk of having a stroke. Fortunately, making dietary tweaks can lower LDL cholesterol, including taking certain supplements.
High cholesterol happens when a person has too much of a fatty substance called cholesterol in their blood.
It is strongly tied to unhealthy lifestyle habits such as eating fatty food, not exercising enough, being overweight, smoking and drinking alcohol.
A build-up of cholesterol can block a person’s blood vessels, making them more likely to have heart problems or a stroke.
There are a number of ways people can lower cholesterol, including adding a plant sterol supplement to their diet.
White oyster mushrooms have also been proven to help with lowering cholesterol levels.
In a study in the Journal of Pharmacy and Biological Sciences, the effect of oyster mushroom extract or residue and how it could prevent the formation of atherosclerosis by lowering cholesterol and LDL levels was investigated.
The study noted: “The exact cause of atherosclerosis until now unknown.
“Several factors that could cause include metabolic syndrome, infectious disease, free radical formation by cigarette smoke, elevation of lipid levels in people who are obese.
“Cholesterol levels that are too high in the cells will someday lead to pathological states, especially in the cell walls of the arteries.
Accumulation of cholesterol will lead to heart disease atherosclerosis. One way to prevent the increase in cholesterol is to eat mushrooms.”
In another study with the US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health, oyster mushroom was investigated in how it can help with cholesterol levels.
The study noted: “It has been postulated that mushroom has beneficial effect of lowering blood glucose and cholesterol in diabetic subjects.
“This study was undertaken to assess the effect of reducing blood glucose, cholesterol and triglycerides in diabetic patients.
“Additionally, this study addressed whether there was any hepatic and renal toxicity of mushroom.”
The study concluded that mushroom significantly reduced blood glucose, blood pressure, TG and cholesterol of diabetic subjects without any deleterious effect on liver and kidney. kidney.
According to medical experts, taking niacin supplements could also help with lowering cholesterol levels.
Niacin is a B vitamin and is a supplement sometimes suggested by GP’s to patients with high cholesterol levels.
Niacin benefits a person by increasing the level of good cholesterol and reducing triglycerides, another fat that can clog arteries.
It’s advised to not take any supplements unless a GP recommends it as side effects could include skin itching and flushing, or nausea.
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