High cholesterol can lead to a number of health complications, including both strokes and heart attacks.
It is important to keep cholesterol levels balanced, although it can become increasingly difficult as you grow older.
A significant contributing factor to cholesterol is diet, and according to a recent study there's one herb that has a positive effect on cholesterol level.
The herb in question is garlic, which is widely available, costs less than a pound in most stores and supermarkets, and can be added to a variety of meals.
The study found that garlic can reduce “bad” cholesterol levels, which could help people keep their health in check, the Express reports.
The Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine recently conducted a meta-analysis on the potency of garlic in lowering cholesterol.
A meta-analysis is an examination of data from several independent studies on the same subject.
Effectively, the University reviewed the data of other studies to see whether they came to similar or the same results.
They found “the effects of garlic intake on lowering total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein are more noticeable with lower dosage and longer duration, especially in patients with cardiovascular disease”.
Overall, according to the 22 studies analysed, garlic was found to be effective at lowering total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein.
Low-density lipoprotein is one of two types of cholesterol, the other is known as high-density lipoprotein.
Where they differ is in their impact on the body.
Whereas high-density lipoprotein is essential for overall health, low-density lipoprotein builds up as a plaque in the arteries, causing high blood pressure.
As a result, it is essential to keep levels of “good” cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein) high and levels of “bad” cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein) low.
Alongside regular exercise, quitting smoking, and reducing alcohol consumption, eating more garlic may help people better manage their cholesterol levels.
How often do you use garlic? let us know in the comments.
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