Results Of The Review
Twenty-five RCTs involving 11 herbal medicinal products were identified. Six RCTs involved guggul 5 RCTs used fenugreek seeds 1 RCT used fenugreek leaves 4 RCTs used red yeast rice 2 RCTs used artichoke 7 RCTs used other herbs. However, there seemed to be a discrepancy in the numbers of participants tabulated in the paper compared with those given online.
Thirteen of the 25 RCTs were assessed to be of low methodological quality with a score of below 3. The reductions in total serum cholesterol ranged from 10 to 33% for all herbs considered together the main results for the individual herbs were also given.
Guggul: the 5 studies that measured TC found reductions of 10 to 27% in comparison with baseline measures.
Fenugreek: statistically-significant reductions in TC of between 15 and 33% were demonstrated for fenugreek seeds . The single study of fenugreek leaves found a non significant reduction of 9% in TC after a single dose, compared with a reduction of 2.8% with placebo .
Red yeast rice : there were statistically-significant reductions in TC of 16 to 31%, compared with placebo or control or baseline.
Artichoke : one study showed reductions in TC of 18.5% and 8.6% for artichoke and placebo, respectively. The other study found no significant difference in lipid levels in comparison with placebo, although subgroup analyses showed reductions in some groups of participants.
Danshen Root Green Tea
This root is bitter and relates to the liver and heart meridians. According to Physician Chong, it promotes blood circulation thereby removing phlegm and blood stasis and lowering total blood cholesterol. Do note that this herb is not suitable for pregnant women.
Danshen Root Green Tea recipe:
May Protect Against Certain Types Of Cancer
The antioxidants found in chamomile tea have been linked with a lower incidence of certain types of cancer.
Chamomile contains the antioxidant apigenin. In test-tube studies, apigenin has been shown to fight cancer cells, especially those of the breast, digestive tract, skin, prostate and uterus .
Additionally, one study of 537 people observed that those who drank chamomile tea 26 times per week were significantly less likely to develop thyroid cancer than those who did not drink chamomile tea .
These findings are promising, but more high-quality, human research is necessary to make a conclusion regarding chamomile teas role in cancer prevention.
Summary: Chamomile tea contains the antioxidant apigenin, which may help lower inflammation and reduce the risk of several types of cancer.
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Types Of Teas That Help The Heart
The type of tea we drink does matter, just like any medicine,when it comes to health benefits. It is important to consider your caffeinesensitivity before choosing any type of tea for health purposes. Usually, thebest types of teas are made from the Camellia sinensis shrubs such as black,white, green, and Oolong tea.
From Herbs To Reduce Cholesterol Quickly:
Ocimum basilicum is a medicinal plant used to lower plasma cholesterol and also reduce the risk of atherosclerosis-related diseases. However, mechanisms underlying the reported hypolipidaemic effect of this plant have not been investigated, they say.
A study has been conducted using basilicum extract in Triton WR-1339-induced hyperlipidaemic rats, evaluating the lipid lowering effect of this plant.
At 24 h following Ocimum basilicum administration, total cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL-cholesterol levels decreased by 56%, 63% and 68%. These results indicate that Ocimum basilicum extract may contain hypolipidaemic and antioxidant substances and its use as a therapeutic tool in hyperlipidaemic subjects may be of benefit and encourage further investigation in this field.
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Decrease In Ldl Cholesterol Levels
High-fibre intake has been shown to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Psyllium supplementation could be promoted to patients who present metabolic syndrome risk factors such as hypercholesterolaemia, hypertriglyceridaemia and hyperglycaemia. The study below showed that psyllium can improve the lipid profile and reduce LDL cholesterol level.
This study encompassed a participant-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover trial. Subjects were 47 healthy adolescent males aged 15-16 years, recruited from secondary schools in lower socio-economic areas with high rates of obesity.
Fibre supplementation led to a 4% reduction in android fat to gynoid fat ratio , as well as a 0.12 mmol/l reduction in LDL cholesterol . Conclusions: Dietary supplementation with 6 g/day of psyllium over 6 weeks improves fat distribution and lipid profile.
Drinks Containing Sterols And Stanols
Sterols and stanols are plant chemicals similar in shape and size to cholesterol that block the absorption of some cholesterol.
However, vegetables and nuts contain low levels of sterols and stanols that cannot lower cholesterol.
Companies are adding these chemicals to several foods and drinks, which may include fortified plant-based spreads, yogurt drinks, milk, and fruit juices.
The FDA states that most people should try to consume 1.3 g or more of sterols and 3.4 g of stanols per day.
People should try to consume these sterols and stanols with a meal.
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St John’s Wort: Risky Combined With Heart Meds
You may have heard that the St. Johns Wort herb can help treat symptoms of depression, but be wary of drinking this tea if you have a heart condition. My biggest concern is that its not good with cardiac medications, says Steinbaum. She says the ingredient is “epically dangerous” if youre taking blood thinners or cardiac medications for heart failure, like digoxin, or if you require a stent or have atrial fibrillation.
If you’re considering drinking St. Johns Wort tea for depression, talk to your doctor instead, Steinbaum says. Theres such a close association between depression and heart disease. Its the kind of thing I wouldnt want anyone to treat on their own.
From List Of Herbs To Lower Cholesterol Quickly:
Fenugreek seeds have been recently used in herbal medicine for their therapeutic hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic proprieties.
In fenugreek, the main mechanisms responsible for lowering serum triglyceride and total cholesterol include activating lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase , post heparin lipolytic activity , triglyceride lipase , lipoprotein lipase , and increased excretion of fecal bile acid, this study say.
In a clinical trial study, 24 type 2 diabetic patients were placed on 10 grams/day powdered fenugreek seeds mixed with yoghurt or soaked in hot water for 8 weeks. Findings showed that FBS, TG and VLDL-C decreased significantly after taking fenugreek seed soaked in hot water.
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Hawthorne Berry Teafor Blood Pressure
Hawthorn is a herbal remedy for hypertension that has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicines. Studies on rodents have shown that hawthorn extracts seem to have a whole host of benefits on cardiovascular health. It helped to lower cholesterol, reduce blood pressure, and prevent hardening of the arteries. Hawthorn can be taken as a tea, a pill, or liquid extract.
Hawthorn tea has been very beneficial for people suffering from hypertension. This tea can be prepared by adding hawthorn extract and then pouring about 200ml of boiling water. Leave it for 10-15 mins after covering with a lid. Consume three times a day after straining.
Hawthorne is also a powerful diuretic. This increases the function and health of the kidneys. Drink this tea on a relaxing day.
Hte Alters Pathways Related To Lipid Metabolism In Vitro
To further explore the molecular mechanism underlying the cholesterol-lowering function of HTE, we used an immortalized hepatocyte cell line HepG2 for subsequent studies. A microarray-based high-throughput gene expression profiling of HepG2 cells treated with HTE was performed . A total of 1889 differentially expressed genes were identified after HTE treatment at a dose of 300gmL1 for 24h. The concentration of tea extracts in cell lines reported in the literature is usually in the range of 100300gmL1 . We chose a relatively high dosage for the microarray analysis to achieve an adequate disturbance of the genome-wide gene expression for further analysis. At this dosage, cell viability was affected slightly, approximately by 30% . Considering that cell viability > 40% is acceptable for microarray analysis, the nearly 70% cell viability under this dosage is tolerable for cells.
Gene Ontology and pathway analysis revealed that the down-regulated genes were highly enriched in pathways such as DNA replication and cell cycle. The up-regulated genes were highly enriched in pathways related to cholesterol metabolism , similar to what we found in rats. The expression of several representative genes was confirmed by three independent quantitative real-time PCR experiments, and the results agreed well with the microarray analyses .
Fig. 3
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Hte Ameliorates Dyslipidemias And Disordered Gut Microbiota
A high-cholesterol and high-fat diet -induced hypercholesterolemic rat model was used to evaluate the cholesterol-lowering effects of HTE. The HCHFD model group exhibited elevated serum total cholesterol and LDL-c levels compared to the normal diet group . HTE dramatically lowered total cholesterol and LDL-c levels and increased the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level in the blood, but did not alter serum triglycerides . The HCHFD increased the levels of serum transaminases, aspartate aminotransferase , and alanine aminotransferase . HTE treatment reversed serum AST to normal levels and also yielded a decrease trend in ALT levels , suggesting that HTE has a protective effect on the compromised liver function caused by HCHFD.
Fig. 1
In the liver, HTE reversed the high triglycerides levels induced by HCHFD . However, there was no significant difference in the hepatic cholesterol levels between the HCHFD and the HCHFD+HTE group . Histological analysis showed that HTE relieved cell swelling and vacuolation . Oil Red O staining demonstrated that the number and size of lipid droplets in the livers of most HTE-treated rats decreased compared to the HCHFD group , consistent with the decrease in liver triglycerides .
Icipants Included In The Review
The inclusion criteria for the participants in the review were not specified. The participants included healthy volunteers and those diagnosed variously with hypercholesterolaemia, hyperlipidaemia, coronary artery disease, non insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, dyslipidaemia, human immunodeficiency virus-related dyslipidaemia, and obesity. No further details were given.
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Black Tea: It’s Both Good And Bad For Your Heart
Black tea is oxidized most extensively hence its black color, says Dr. Brill. Most of the benefits come from powerful plant chemicals knwn as polyphenols, as well as flavonoids. Suzanne Steinbaum, DO, the director of Women’s Heart Health at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, regularly advises her coffee-drinking patients to consider switching to black tea because it has roughly half the amount of caffeine as a same-sized cup of coffee. And results of a clinical trial published in the May 2012 Preventive Medicine journal indicated that people who drank three cups of black tea per day had, on average, 36 percent lower triglyceride levels and a 17 percent improvement in their cholesterol profiles.
All black teas are caffeinated, which is not great if you have high blood pressure or a fast heart rate it can make things worse, warns Dr. Steinbaum. For black teas, you may expect anywhere from 14 to 70 mg of caffeine, notes the Mayo Clinic.
Stimulants can trigger heart arrhythmias in some patients, says John Day, MD,cardiologist and heart rhythm specialist at the Intermountain Heart Institute in Murray, Utah. If any teas give you palpitations or a rapid heartbeat, you should stop drinking them and let your doctor know. And use caution if youre taking Coumadin , a commonly prescribed blood thinner, as black tea may decrease blood clotting and increase your chances of bruising and bleeding.
May Promote Digestive Health
Proper digestion is extremely important for your overall health.
Limited evidence suggests chamomile may be effective for promoting better digestion by reducing the risk of certain gastrointestinal conditions.
A few studies have found that chamomile extract has the potential to protect against diarrhea in mice. This is attributed to its anti-inflammatory properties .
Another study in rats found chamomile to be helpful in preventing stomach ulcers, as it may reduce acidity in the stomach and inhibit the growth of bacteria that contribute to ulcer development .
Despite these findings, more human research is needed to confirm chamomiles role in digestion.
Nevertheless, there are many anecdotal claims that drinking chamomile tea is soothing to the stomach. Traditionally, it has been used to treat several digestive ailments, including nausea and gas .
Summary: Chamomile tea may protect against diarrhea, stomach ulcers, nausea and gas, likely due to its anti-inflammatory effects.
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Green Tea: Lower Lipids Less Plaque
For your heart health, it pays to go green. With green tea, the leaves have been harvested and allowed to wither, and then steamed. There is no oxidation, says Brill. She recommends choosing green tea as often as possible if you’re a tea drinker. Just dont ruin it with sugar, says Brill. Clinical studies on drinking green tea have found that it helps lower LDL cholesterol and triglycerides good news for your heart. And drinking green tea is also associated with a lower risk of heart disease and death from heart attack or stroke, according to a study of more than 90,000 Japanese participants published in the March 2015 Annals of Epidemiology.
An 8 ounce cup of green tea gives you from 24 to 45 mg caffeine depending on how long its brewed, notes the Mayo Clinic. Powerful antioxidants in green tea especially one called epigallocatechin gallate, or EGCG can help prevent atherosclerosis, the buildup of plaque in the arteries. The EGCG can help boost metabolism, helping to make it easier to achieve and maintain a healthy weight. In addition, green tea helps improve the function of endothelial cells in blood vessels, says Erin Palinski-Wade, RD, who works with heart patients and is also the author of Belly Fat for Dummies.
Dandelion Can Prevent Hypercholesterolemic Atherosclerosis
Dandelion is an oriental herbal medicine that has choleretic, antirheumatic and diuretic properties. Recent reports have indicated that excessive oxidative stress can lead to the development of atherosclerosis-linked metabolic syndrome.
A clinical study conducted on rabbits fed with leaf and roots of this plant resulted in positive changes of plasma enzyme activities and lipid levels.
The objective of this current study was to investigate the possible hypolipidemic and antioxidative effects of dandelion root and leaf in rabbits fed with a high-cholesterol diet.
Results suggest that diet-induced hypercholesterolemic atherosclerosis is associated with an increase in the oxidative stress and that dandelion reduced the extent of atherosclerosis by reducing oxidative stress and serum TC, TG, LDL-C and raising serum HDL-C.
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What Are These Natural Herbal Supplements
You will have to maintain a low LDL level and high HDL level to stay healthy. You can naturally lower your bad cholesterol levels with no side effects with certain nutritional, herbal supplements. Also, you can try the below-listed foods and see the magic in transforming your health!
Garlic
Who doesnt have garlic at home? , commonly used in cooking food or making recipes. But, garlic has lots of health benefits as well. It can naturally lower blood levels of total cholesterol levels and go away quickly! In simple terms, if your LDL levels are too high and you need to lower them down to some extent instantly, garlic can help you.
Whey Protein
Whey protein supplements are very effective in lowering LDL and total cholesterol. You can take whey protein with milk and add whey protein powder to soft foods. It can help decrease the levels of LDL, keeping you safe from high cholesterol health complications, naturally!
Flaxseed Oil or Capsules
Flaxseed is a natural health supplement that has many health benefits. Not only flax seed, but flax oil is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids. Flax is a blue flowering plant that grows best in cool climates with long periods of daylight. Its seeds and oil help increase HDL cholesterol levels, the good cholesterol, and naturally lower harmful cholesterol levels. Its better to use its oil or eat flaxseed ground rather than consume the seed. You can also swallow capsules if you dont want to use their oil.
Green tea or Soltea Supplements
Green Tea Extract Lowers Plasma Cholesterol By Inhibiting Cholesterol Synthesis This Study Says
Camellia Sinensis was clinical documented to have hypolipidemic and hypoglycemic properties. A study was conducted to analyze if green tea extract could lower plasma cholesterol in the cholesterol-fed rabbits and to determine the mechanism works.
The administration of raw green tea catechin extract for a period of 4 weeks showed a significant reduction of cholesterol in plasma, liver and aorta of rats.
These results suggest that green tea catechins lowered plasma, liver and aortic cholesterol in the cholesterol-fed rabbit by lowering cholesterol synthesis and upregulating the hepatic LDL receptor.
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Coffee Or Tea: Which Should I Choose
Theres no clear winner in the perennial debate between coffee lovers and tea addicts. Both drinks offer clear health benefits, but each comes with a few risks. For most older adults, it comes down to a matter of personal taste.
If youre new to coffee or tea, try experimenting. Start slowly, with a half-cup or so, and see how you feel. And as with all health decisions, talk to your doctor first. Moderation is key, offering the benefits of coffee and tea while minimizing the risks.
Implications Of The Review For Practice And Research
Practice: The authors stated that it would be prudent for physicians to explore the use of herbal medicinal products with potential lipid-lowering properties in their clinical decision-making.
Research: The authors stated that further research is warranted to establish the therapeutic value of these herbs in the treatment of hypercholesterolaemia.
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