High cholesterol can be caused by many different things. It can be caused by an unhealthy lifestyle or it could be down to genetics. Having high cholesterol is very common, however, most people don’t know they have it, which is why it’s so important to get levels checked. Taking a certain supplement has been proven to help reduce cholesterol levels.
Cholesterol is a type of blood fat. High levels of cholesterol in your blood can clog up the arteries and over time, this can lead to very serious problems.
Heart UK said: “If you have too much cholesterol in your blood, it can be laid down in the walls of your arteries.
“Fatty areas known as plaques can form, and these become harder with time, making the arteries stiffer and narrower.
“This process is called atherosclerosis. When the arteries become narrower, it’s harder for blood to flow through them.
“This puts a strain on your heart because it has to work harder to pump blood around your body.
“Eventually, the heart can become weak and can’t work as well as it should. Blood clots can form over the fatty, hardened parts of the arteries.
“The blood clots can block the artery completely, cutting off the blood flow.
“Bits of the blood clots can break away and become lodged in an artery or vein in another part of the body, which can cause a heart attack or stroke.”
Evidence suggests that the omega-3s found in fish oil may play a role in lowering triglycerides and raising HDL cholesterol.
Eating foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids or taking the supplement version, may help reduce heart disease and lower triglycerides.
This is because omega-3 fatty acids have an anti-inflammatory effect in the body, decreasing the amount of growth of plaque in the arteries, and aid in thinning the blood.
It’s recommended to aim for at least two servings of fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, herring, tuna or sardines per week.
Other dietary sources of omega-3 fatty acids include flax seed and walnuts.
Supplement sources include fish oil capsules, flaxseed and flaxseed oil.
If you are embarking on new supplements to help with high cholesterol, it’s important to speak with your GP.
Other ways of lowering cholesterol include reducing saturated fats, increasing soluble fibre and adding whey protein to your diet.
