High cholesterol is a silent condition that often goes unnoticed until diagnosed in a blood test or puts you at risk for serious diseases like heart problems, and stroke. Sounds frightening, right?
Don’t worry… With the help of Ayurvedic products like Krishna’s Choles-terol Care Juice and certain lifestyle changes, you can improve your cholesterol levels in a natural way.
Stay tuned, as today’s read will cover the warning signs of increasing cholesterol levels and some effective natural remedies for managing it.
What is high cholesterol?
High cholesterol or hyperlipidemia is a condition where you have too much of fatty deposits called cholesterol in your blood. Cholesterol is an important substance that your body needs to create bile (a digestive fluid), hormones, vitamin D and build healthy cells. Your liver and intestines produce around 80% of all the required cholesterol your body needs. The rest 20% comes from the foods you eat.
Sometimes, because of excessive fatty food consumption and unhealthy lifestyle choices, there is the development of cholesterol deposits in your blood vessels that your body cannot use. Eventually, these deposits build up and combine with other substances in your blood to form plaque.
This plaque makes it difficult for enough blood to flow through your arteries which increases your risk of life-threatening conditions like heart attack or stroke.
High cholesterol can start at any age, but it is much more common among people over 40. With increased age liver functions deteriorate which is why high cholesterol is common in the 40+ age group. Krishna’s Liver Re-Live Juice protects normal liver enzyme levels and enhances the organ’s performance. Regular consumption of this Ayurvedic blend can help you prevent liver problems as well as related issues, without any side effects.
Also, consider taking Krishna’s Fat Reducer Juice, which helps in weight management, a major cause of high cholesterol. Remember to consult an Ayurvedic practitioner for the right dosage according to your condition.
Read More: Ayurvedic herbs for Cholesterol
Now, the question comes, How do you know if you have high cholesterol?
Let us tell you straight up: For most people, high cholesterol doesn’t cause any symptoms and the only way to detect it is a blood test.
But, your body always sends you signals when something isn’t right, and the same goes for high cholesterol. You just need to pay attention…
5 warning signs of high cholesterol
Persistent high cholesterol negatively affects other parts of your body and leads to problems. The damage caused will show certain symptoms such as:
1. Skin Changes
When your cholesterol levels are extremely high (>240 mg/dL) your skin may start to show changes due to fats build up under the surface of your skin. Commonly seen changes are:
Xanthomas
These are flat bumps or fatty growths present underneath the skin that often appear yellow or orange. They may vary in size from as small as a pinhead to as large as a grape. These growths are usually painless but might be itchy.
Xanthomas can appear anywhere on your body but commonly form on the joints, elbows, knees, buttocks, feet, or hands.
Arcus Senilis
These are greyish-white circles visible around the cornea of the eye. While it is normally seen as part of ageing, the presence of arcus senilis in younger individuals indicates high cholesterol levels.
The condition can be concerning, but it does not affect your vision.
2. Chest Pain
When the excess cholesterol builds up and blocks the flow of blood in your arteries, your heart muscles do not get enough oxygen-rich blood. This causes symptoms such as chest pain, and tightness. The chest pain may feel like a squeezing sensation or pressure in your chest, similar to indigestion. You might also feel discomfort in areas around your chest, such as your shoulders, arms, abdomen, back, neck, and jaw.
If you experience chest pain for more than 30 minutes, or if it occurs along with shortness of breath or sweating, reach out to the nearest emergency care as soon as possible.
3. Shortness Of Breath
This may also be an early indicator of high cholesterol. Having shortness of breath may signal that your heart is struggling to pump blood as needed. This occurs due to the narrowing of your arteries because of plaque buildup. As a result, your heart has to work harder to push blood through these narrowed passages which leads to breathlessness.
4. Fatigue
When plaque constricts your arteries, it limits oxygen-rich blood flow to your tissues and organs as well. This lack of oxygen negatively affects cellular function and energy production and leads to persistent feelings of tiredness even while you’re resting.
Also, your heart, which must work harder to overcome narrowed arteries, can become less efficient over time and further lead to fatigue as your body struggles to maintain normal activity levels.
5. Leg Pain
The build-up in the arteries can also limit blood supply to your lower body including your legs and feet. This can cause a condition called peripheral artery disease (PAD). Common symptoms of this condition are leg pain or legs feeling heavy and worn out, especially during walking or other physical exercise. You might also experience burning discomfort, usually from the calf to the thigh or buttock.
The discomfort usually disappears when resting but in severe cases, it may persist.
PAD can cause your leg skin to appear smooth and shiny, and you might notice a decrease in leg hair growth. Changes in skin colour may also occur, such as darkening (hyperpigmentation) or a bluish tint (cyanosis). Your feet may feel cool or cold to the touch, and toenails can grow more slowly or become thickened, deformed, or discoloured.
Ways to lower your cholesterol naturally
- Cut down on fatty foods. You’ve probably heard this advice countless times because it’s one of the simplest ways to manage your diet. We’re not asking you to go for an overall low-fat diet, but rather to limit your intake of saturated fats (mostly found in animal products) and replace them with a healthier type of fat called unsaturated fat. Unsaturated fats like olive oil, canola oil, nut butter, etc., help reduce levels of bad cholesterol and increase levels of good cholesterol.
- Eat more fibre-rich foods. It is well known that fibre is good for gut health. But it not only aids in digestion; it can also help lower bad cholesterol levels which may improve your heart health. Some of the best sources of soluble fibre that you can include in your diet are oats, flaxseed beans and lentils.
- Exercise more. Exercise is a win-win for your heart as well as your overall health. It not only improves your fitness and helps manage healthy weight but also reduces bad cholesterol and boosts good cholesterol. Consider regular strength training alongside aerobic exercise for at least 150 minutes a week.
- Stop smoking and alcohol consumption. These habits increase your cholesterol levels and risk of heart disease. To lower your cholesterol naturally quit smoking and avoid alcoholic drinks.
- Consider Ayurvedic medicines. These are safe medicinal herbs that have cholesterol-lowering properties. Some of the best ayurvedic medicines for cholesterol are Choles-terol Care Juice, Cardiac Care Juice and Fat Reducer Juice.
Also Read: How to Reduce Cholesterol Naturally With Ayurveda
These natural cholesterol-lowering methods will work best if they become part of your lifestyle for the long term. So make sure you follow them religiously.
Takeaway
High cholesterol is a silent challenge and a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Its hidden nature lies in its ability to thrive unnoticed within your body, as it rarely presents apparent symptoms until significant harm is done. Hence, it is important to get regular checkups, especially if you have a family history or certain risk factors for high cholesterol.
If you are looking for natural treatments and personalized dietary recommendations, consult an Ayurvedic doctor.
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