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what is it?
Cholesterol is a type of blood fat or lipid that plays a key role in hardening the arteries and predisposing to heart attacks and strokes. Cholesterol is not all bad. It is an essential component of the cell membranes and the insulation of nerves and it is vital for the production of certain hormones.
The term high cholesterol actually refers to too high levels of a particular kind of cholesterol — low-density lipoprotein or LDL cholesterol, sometimes referred to as 'bad' cholesterol.
Over time this can build up in the blood vessels and cause atherosclerosis, a build up of fatty deposits in the walls of the arteries known as arterial plaque. As plaque accumulates, the inner channels of the arteries narrow reducing flow of blood from the heart and raising the risk of a heart attack or stroke.
By contrast higher levels of high density lipoprotein or HDL cholesterol, sometimes referred to as 'good' cholesterol, is considered desirable for the health of the blood vessels.
what causes it?
Risk factors for high cholesterol include your genetic inheritance (for example, if several close relatives suffered heart disease in early middle age) and diet. Other important risk factors for atherosclerosis include smoking, being very overweight, diabetes and lack of exercise.
You can lower your cholesterol level by cutting down on the amount of fatty foods you consume and by taking regular exercise. Research has found that certain herbal and food supplements can lower cholesterol levels. Several other potentially useful treatments are also being investigated. However it is too early to be certain whether any of them will offer safe, natural ways of significantly reducing cholesterol levels.
how complementary therapies may help
Each therapy has been coded from 1 to 5 depending on the amount of scientific evidence there is for its effectiveness. The higher the number the stronger the evidence, so 5 = definitely, 4 = probably, 3 = possibly, 2 = opinion, and 1 = rumour. (There is more detail about these in the 'does it work?' section of 'before you start'.)
Having said this, the codes aren't meant to be cast in stone or to put you off trying a particular therapy or therapies if you feel they might be helpful to you.
Go to therapies for a full description of each individual treatment, plus information on how to find practitioners.
herbal medicine
(code 3)
A herbal practitioner will look at your lifestyle and may advise on measures such as a low fat diet and exercise. Several studies of garlic have shown it can help reduce total cholesterol levels. In research fenugreek has also been shown to have a cholesterol lowering effect and can help lower levels of other blood fats called triglycerides and blood glucose in people with diabetes.
naturopathy
(code 3)
Food and diet are the cornerstone of a naturopathic approach and the principles of health laid down by naturopaths are very similar to those recommended by modern dietary experts for the treatment of high cholesterol. Treatment may include putting you on a very low fat wholefood diet that includes as many raw foods as possible, together with attending to other lifestyle factors such as exercise and relaxation, and tackling other risk factors, most importantly smoking.
nutritional therapy
(code 3)
The therapist will advise you to reduce the amount of animal fats and increase the amount of fruit and vegetables you consume. You'll usually be advised to increase your intake of soluble fibre (found in foods such as pulses and oats). Several studies have found that the soluble fibre psyllium, used as a laxative, helps lower total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol.
Nutritional practitioners may also recommend supplements such as conenzyme Q10, which can reduce cholesterol slightly. Both garlic and fibre supplments can have a small cholesterol-lowering effect, although far less than cholesterol-lowering drugs. Research also suggests that a supplement made from red yeast rice may reduce cholesterol levels by as much as 20%.
» help and info
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(July 2002)
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