High cholesterol: Nutritionist reveals top prevention tips
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High cholesterol has an infamous reputation because it slowly paves the way to trouble by clogging the arteries leading to the heart. And despite the rise of cholesterol-lowering statins, diet is still widely recognised as the cornerstone of cholesterol treatment. Research suggests that fenugreek could lower high cholesterol levels by as much as 30 percent, over the course of just eight weeks. Doctor Sarah Brewer, Healthspan Medical Director, breaks down the benefits and side effects of the spice.
Fenugreek is a firm staple in many kitchens touted for its wide-ranging health benefits.
Today, the spice is promoted as a dietary supplement to increase milk supply in woman who are breastfeeding and diabetes.
But mounting research elucidates the benefits of fenugreek for cholesterol too.
Dr Brewer said: “Taking fenugreek seed extract has been found to reduce fat consumption in animals, and a small trial suggests the same thing is true in humans.”
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She cites one study that noted a significant reduction of LDL cholesterol of 23.5 percent, and a reduction of 13.6 percent in total cholesterol after a month of taking fenugreek with metformin medication.
These lowering effects on low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol occurred as high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels increased.
LDL cholesterol is harmful for the body because it latches on to the arterial walls, contributing to the formation of plaque.
HDL cholesterol on the other hand, is often dubbed “good” cholesterol because it reduces the amount of LDL cholesterol circulating in the blood.
Research published in the International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research later supported these findings after it confirmed that fenugreek significantly reduced both fasting blood sugar and LDL and triglycerides.
For their study, researchers placed a sample of 24 type 2 diabetic patients on 10 grams of powdered fenugreek mixed with yoghurt, or soaked in hot water.
Participants were asked to consume the mix over a period of eight weeks, and had their weight, total cholesterol, LDL and HDL measured both before and after the study.
They noted: “Findings showed that FBS, TG, and VLDL decreased significantly (25 percent, 30 percent and 30.6 percent respectively) after taking fenugreek soaked in hot water.”
However, they noted “no significant changes in lab parameters in cases who consumed it mixed with yoghurt.”
They added: “BMI, Energy, Carbohydrate, Protein and fat intake remained unchanged during the study.”
The lowering effects of fenugreek on cholesterol have previously been attributed to sterols, which slow absorption of cholesterol in the intestines.
Sources claim the seeds also reduce the intensity of cholesterol production in the liver, and decrease the absorption of triglycerides from fatty foods.
What’s more, the seed is a source of soluble fibre, which allows it to bind to cholesterol molecules inside the body and drag them out.
But health watchdogs, such as the National Centre for Complementary and Integrative Health, warn that large doses of fenugreek can cause “harmful drops in blood sugar.”
Side effects of the spice can also be less desirable, with doctor Brewer listing flatulence and diarrhoea as two after-effects
She said: “Mild flatulence and diarrhoea are reported as side effects in 10 percent to 20 percent of people using defatted fenugreek seed extracts, but taking powdered fenugreek seed seems to be well tolerated.
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