Ginger Lowers Cholesterol

Zingiber officinale is a long plant that can reach about three feet in height. The root of this plant is known as ginger. Ginger can be enjoyed as a spice, eaten as a delicacy or consumed as a supplemental health aid. Forms of ginger include: fresh, dried, pickled, preserved, crystallized, ground, tea, capsule or as an oil.

Scientist believe that ginger’s ability to combat such a wide variety of illnesses is due to its impact on inflammation which is a major underly cause of most illnesses. Inflammation is due to the body naturally trying to heal itself by preventing us from moving the inflamed area. Unfortunately, there are times when the inflammation does not subside and it becomes a chronic issue that leads to other health problems.

Ginger is believed to help treat illnesses such as the common cold, headaches, cramps and flu-like symptoms. This root is also often prescribed by physicians to help combat nausea and vomiting associated with pregnancy, motion sickness and chemotherapy nausea. Ginger extract has long been used in modern medicine to help reduce inflammation such as ulcerative colitis and arthritis. But can ginger help to combat high cholesterol?

According to a study done at The Rappaport Family Institute for Research in Medical Sciences, ginger extract comsumption reduces plasma cholesterol, inhibits LDL oxidation and slows the development of atherosclerosis. Ginger has been shown to reduce serum and hepatic cholesterol by coverting cholesterol into bile acids. Cholesterol that contains bile acids will eventually form into an insoluble complex which is eliminated from the body through stool.

In two separate studies done by R. Alizaded-Navaei and Bianca Furman ginger extract was shown to lower cholesterol levels and lower LDL oxidation in humans and rats.

There needs to be more studies on the use of ginger to combat cholesterol, ginger has proven that it does have medicinal properties. If you do have high cholesterol, speak to your doctor before adding ginger to supplement your fight against this disease.

Though adding ginger to your diet has numerous benefits, you need to be aware that there are possible side effects. These side effects may include: swelling in the mouth, tongue, face or lips, rash or hives, heartburn, diarrhea, belching, difficulty breathing, irregular heartbeat or even blood-thinning due to platelets not clumping together.

So care must be taken when considering adding ginger to your diet to fight high cholesterol. Consult your physician, and the two of you together can decide if adding ginger is for you. But please remember nothing can beat a heart healthy diet, consistent exercise and stress relief techniques to help lower your cholesterol.

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