Natural Remedy Using Garlic & Lemon to Lower Cholesterol

If your total cholesterol is 200 mg or greater and your bad (LDL) cholesterol is 130 mg or more, you have high cholesterol. High cholesterol can increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases, stroke, peripheral vascular disease (disease of blood vessels outside the brain and heart), type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure, according to the Cleveland Clinic. With so many health risks, it is wise to lower your cholesterol levels. Research has shown that garlic and lemon can significantly lower cholesterol.

Garlic

Garlic has a long history of medicinal use. The first-century Greek founder of modern pharmacy, Dioscorides, used garlic to treat rabid dog bites, snake bites, infections, bronchitis, cough, clogged arteries and even leprosy. In a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, researchers found that heart disease patients given a daily dose of garlic oil for 10 months experienced a steady decrease in bad cholesterol and a steady increase in good (HDL) cholesterol levels.

The secret of garlic's cholesterol-lowering power is the active ingredient---allicin, also found in onions, leeks and shallots. Allicin has the ability to block sulfhydryl enzymes, which play a significant role in synthesizing cholesterol in the body.

Garlic Uses

Garlic is good tossed in a stir-fry, used in marinades or sauces, and roasted, pickled or crushed. Use chopped or minced garlic to marinate meat, fish and seafood. It is good in soups, sauces and salads. Add raw garlic to pasta and baked potatoes.

According to a report in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, freshly crushed garlic has more potent heart-friendly effects than dried garlic. When garlic is crushed, hydrogen sulfide is released, and these chemical messengers relax blood vessels, allowing more blood to pass through.

Lemons

Lemons are high in vitamin C; 4 tbsp. of lemon juice will give you half the vitamin C you need for the day. Vitamin C a powerful antioxidant and will make cholesterol less likely to stick to artery walls, according rd.com. And lemons are also packed with limonene, a natural disease-preventing compound that helps lower cholesterol. In addition, its high levels of potassium help to control high blood pressure, alleviate nausea and dizziness, and uplift mind and body.

Lemon Uses

Lemons are versatile and can be easily added to food to provide a refreshing citrus flavor. Use lemon juice instead of vinegar in salad dressings. Use it to marinate meat, fish or seafood or add zest to sandwiches. Spritz water with lemon juice for a refreshing drink. Squeeze lemon juice on vegetables, pasta, rice dishes, soups and stews instead of salt.