Natural Ways to Reduce Cholesterol and How to Increase HDL Naturally.

Cholesterol is needed by the body to function and the majority is made by your liver. Cholesterol is used by the body to make cell membranes, hormones, and along with sunlight, produce vitamin D. The liver also uses cholesterol to make bile used for digestion. Triglycerides either are produced by the liver, or come from fatty foods, refined carbohydrates, or refined sugar. Triglycerides are used by the body to provide energy.

Lipoproteins are made by the liver by combining lipids and proteins in the liver. A lipoprotein named very low density lipoproteins or VLDL, is made in the liver and transports triglycerides to where they are needed by the body. If the body consumes an excess of triglycerides, the VLDL will store them as body fat. Once the VLDL loses the triglyceride it becomes low density lipoprotein or LDL, also known as bad cholesterol. If the body produces too much LDL, this (bad) cholesterol circulates in the blood, and may slowly build up in the inner walls of the arteries that feed the heart and brain. Together with other substances, cholesterol can form a thick, hard deposit called plaque that can narrow the arteries and make them less flexible. This condition is known as atherosclerosis. If a clot forms and blocks a narrowed artery in the heart or the arteries that lead to the brain, a heart attack or stroke can result. HDL or high density lipoprotein is known as good cholesterol, and is also produced in the liver. HDL may transport the extra cholesterol away from blood vessels to the liver and eliminate it from the body.