Cholesterol is a fatty, wax-like substance normally produced by liver, substance which has an important role in maintaining one's overall health by assisting in a series of cellular processes. While in small amounts cholesterol has many beneficial roles for the human body, when in excess it is very dangerous, increasing the risk of arteriosclerosis (thickening and hardening of the arteries) and coronary disease. Excess cholesterol deposits inside major arteries and other blood vessels, interfering with the normal blood circulation and preventing oxygen and nutrients from reaching in various regions of body. Deprived from normal supplies of oxygen and vital nutrients, the body organs are more susceptible to disease. On the premises of abnormally high blood cholesterol levels, one is very exposed to heart attack and stroke, and is also susceptible to developing an entire series of cholesterol-associated diseases (diabetes mellitus, kidney failure).



It is important to note that not all types of cholesterol have a malignant effect on the organism when in large amounts. There are three different types of cholesterol, each type having distinctive characteristics and actions: LDL ? the so called ?bad cholesterol?, the main cause of arteriosclerosis and coronary disease; VLDL ? generally has a neutral action but can in time become LDL, posing a serious threat to one's overall health; HDL ? also referred to as ?good cholesterol?, has a benefic role inside the body, collecting LDL from arteries and taking it back to the liver, where it is broken down. According to recent studies, persons confronted with excessively high ?bad cholesterol? levels are three times more likely to suffer a heart attack, six times more susceptible of developing congestive heart failure and up to seven times more susceptible of suffering a stroke than persons with normal cholesterol levels.

Persons confronted with high cholesterol levels are often required to follow treatments with cholesterol blockers, medications that regulate the production of cholesterol inside the body. However, due to the fact that many pharmaceutical cholesterol blockers can have serious side-effects, it is advisable to replace them with natural cholesterol blockers whenever possible. There are various natural remedies that have been recently discovered to have an efficient cholesterol-blocking action. One of the most efficient natural cholesterol blocker is green tea, a common natural remedy used for treating a wide variety of conditions.

Green tea contains catechins, and is particularly rich in a substance called epigallocatechin gallate, which has been confirmed to have a very beneficial action in controlling high cholesterol levels. Epigallocatechin gallate contained by green tea makes a perfect cholesterol blocker, according to medical scientists. The substance also has the ability to prolong the action of norepinephrine, a body hormone that stimulates the burning of fat. In addition, the caffeine contained by green tea also helps the body burn existing fat deposits and reduce blood cholesterol levels.

The substances contained by green tea render this natural remedy perfect for persons confronted with obesity and excessive levels of ?bad cholesterol?. Besides being an efficient natural cholesterol blocker, green tea can also reduce appetite, reduce the risk of diabetes (by regulating blood sugar), protects blood cells and reduces the risk of viral infections. Considering the fact that green tea is also very safe to use and has no side-effects, it is the perfect alternative to synthetic drugs with cholesterol-blocking action.