High cholesterol is responsible for 70% of all heart disease. It is a leading killer of both men and women over the age of 45. High cholesterol is also a leading cause of death worldwide.

High levels of LDL cholesterol will form plaque in the arteries. As a result atherosclerosis can occur. However, lifestyle changes can prevent or lower high cholesterol.

Some of the lifestyle changes that will help to lower high cholesterol include eating a diet low in saturated fat, increased physical activity and maintaining a healthy weight. A diet high in fiber will help to lower your cholesterol.

A diet that consists of high fiber foods include whole grains, beans, vegetables and fruit. Diets with high fiber will keep your digestive tract regular, satisfy you and provide good nutrition. A high fiber diet will block cholesterol from being absorbed into the intestinal tract. The bad cholesterol will be expelled with normal excretion.

There are very good reasons to lower your cholesterol naturally. Statin drugs, the ones most prescribed by doctors, have serious side effects. Statin drugs are effective and work in a short period of time. Unfortunately, one pays a big price by using these drugs.

Statin drugs cause serious liver damage. People that use this medication are required to have a routine blood test every two months.

Statin drugs cause a breakdown of muscles, muscle pain and disease. It causes weakness and difficulties with walking.

It also can cause the loss of memory and clarity. It occasionally causes confusion and possibly amnesia. It can be responsible for sexual dysfunction and irritability.

The other side effects caused by statin drugs include nausea, diarrhea, constipation, fever, sleeplessness and headaches.

This group of drugs are also responsible for depleting essential nutrients important for the heart and brain.

Fortunately, it is quite possible to lower your cholesterol naturally. This can be accomplished without harmful side effects.

Here is what you can do:

1/ Exercise for between one half hour and an hour every day. This can be very effective. A regular exercise program will help to increase your good cholesterol. It will also help to lower the harmful cholesterol. The truth is that exercise will help to lower bad cholesterol without harmful side effects.

2/ Change the foods that you eat.

It is important to realize that getting high cholesterol does not occur in a vacuum. The biggest contributing factors are what we eat and our lack of activity. These factors are even greater than heredity. Heredity is a factor only to the point that our parents pass their lifestyles onto us.

As mentioned above, it is essential to eat a diet high in fiber. This includes whole grains, beans, vegetables and fresh fruit. It is the fiber from these foods that bind with the cholesterol and carries it from our system.

3/ Reduce or avoid bad sources of fat. This especially includes red meat and dairy products.

4/ Herbal supplements.

Natural herbal supplements are helpful for lowering your high cholesterol. Research has proven that herbal products really help to lower bad cholesterol.

Chinese medicine incorporates the use of natural herbs. Ancient Chinese therapy demonstrates very positive results when it comes to lowering high cholesterol levels. Thousands of years of Chinese medicine have devised natural, herbal treatments that are natural, safe and effective.

As you can see, there are major differences between conventional western medicine and traditional Chinese medicine. Unlike conventional medicine, the herbs used by the Chinese are extremely mild. They do not produce harmful side effects. Because they are so mild, they appear to take months to work.

The visible results may take months but the herbs begin work immediately. These mild herbs do not shock the body. They produce change that is gradual and steady. The added benefit is that Chinese herbs will actually improve liver function. This is detectable within a couple of months. A simple blood test will verify this.

Chinese herbal treatments have been around for centuries. If, however, you are taking medication or are under a physicians care, please consult with your doctor first.