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and Health
There are effective alternatives to statins for those who may wish to lower their cholesterol and improve their health. These include lifestyle changes such as exercising more, eating healthier foods, quitting smoking and limiting alcohol intake. Additionally, you may want to consider other alternative treatments such as supplements, herbs and alternative medicines.
Exercising and Eating Healthier
Regular physical activity, particularly aerobic exercise, can help reduce bad cholesterol (LDL) levels in your blood and increase good cholesterol levels. It can also help maintain a healthy weight, which can be critical for managing cholesterol levels. Healthy eating is equally important. Eating foods that are low in saturated fat, trans fatty acids and cholesterol, and high in fibre can help lower your cholesterol levels.
Quitting Smoking and Limiting Alcohol
Smoking is a major contributor to high cholesterol levels and its health risks. If you smoke, quitting is one of the best ways to reduce your cholesterol levels and improve your health. Limiting your intake of alcohol is also beneficial because consuming large amounts of alcohol can raise your cholesterol levels and triglyceride levels in your blood.
Herbal or Natural Remedies
Herbal and natural remedies may reduce cholesterol without the use of statins. For example, plant sterols and stanols, which occur naturally in some fruits, vegetables and grains, can help reduce the amount of cholesterol that’s absorbed in the intestine. In addition, omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish such as salmon and tuna, may lower bad cholesterol levels. Other natural remedies that may help lower cholesterol levels include garlic and red yeast rice.
Supplements
Supplements such as niacin, plant proteins and plant fibers may help lower cholesterol levels. Niacin is a type of B vitamin that can help lower “bad” cholesterol and raise “good” cholesterol. Plant proteins and fibers help block the absorption of cholesterol in the intestine. So, by including these supplements in your diet, you can lower your cholesterol levels and improve your wellbeing.
Nowadays, there are many alternatives to statins for cholesterol management. However, if you decide to take any of these supplements or herbal remedies, it’s important to discuss it with your doctor, who can help you decide what is the best approach to reduce your cholesterol, improve your health and manage any associated risks.
Keywords: statins, cholesterol, health, lifestyle changes, supplements, herbs, alternative medicines, physical activity, aerobic exercise, healthy eating, omega-3, natural remedies, niacin, plant proteins, plant fibers.