High cholesterol: The green drink shown to have ‘beneficial role’ in lowering cholesterol
ONE OF the easiest ways to control cholesterol is through the diet. While there are many traditional foods that can lower cholesterol, there are some alternatives that could be just as effective. Wheatgrass is one that research says could help.
This Morning's Dr Chris discusses the signs of high cholesterol
That is according to a 2010 study conducted on rabbits.
The study found: “Wheatgrass supplementation…resulted in…decreased total cholesterol and increased HDL…[indicating] the beneficial role of wheatgrass in ameliorating hyperlipidaemia.”
Hyperlipidaemia is another term for high levels of cholesterol.
When the study refers to HDL, it is referring to one of the two types of cholesterol.
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The first one mentioned by the article is HDL cholesterol.
Also known as high-density lipoprotein, this type of cholesterol is known as ‘good’ cholesterol because of its health benefits.
The more the body has of this type of cholesterol the better.
The type of cholesterol the body doesn’t want is LDL.
LDL stands for low-density lipoprotein, this type of cholesterol is known as ‘bad’ cholesterol and lines the walls of the arteries, reducing blood flow.
The less the body has of this the healthier it will be.
Returning to wheatgrass there are other potential benefits other than lowering cholesterol.
One of these benefits is that it is a superfood, so-called because of how many nutrients it contains.
Wheatgrass contains iron, calcium, enzymes, magnesium, phytonutrients, amino acids, vitamins A, C, E, K and B as well as proteins.
Furthermore, according to a study conducted in 2015, it could help eliminate toxins and impurities from the body.
However, although this study showed that wheatgrass is a promising natural remedy, there were some “methodological problems” in the study.
As well as helping to lower cholesterol, wheatgrass may help with digestion according to a 2011 research review that was backed up by a 2015 study.
Lowering cholesterol levels is not the only way wheatgrass can help a person lower their cholesterol levels.
Wheatgrass can boost metabolism and help someone lose weight.
The higher someone’s metabolism, the more they lose weight, the lower their cholesterol will be.
For more information on high cholesterol and how to lower it contact the NHS or your GP.