your health and the quality of your life.

You need some cholesterol. It is produced by your body. Some cholesterol is necessary to produce healthy cells, vitamin D, important hormones and nerve insulation. However, too much cholesterol or the wrong type will contribute to atherosclerosis. This is the build of of plague in the arteries.

What happens is that the plague will narrow the blood vessel walls. This, in turn, limits your blood flow to both your heart and your brain. This is what makes high cholesterol a major risk factor for both stroke and heart problems.

Something that you should stop and consider is that as the level of cholesterol rises, the risk in developing atherosclerosis and heart problems will increase significantly.

It is important to note that over half of the adult

population has high cholesterol levels. Also, it is not rare for high cholesterol to start in childhood.

There is a very good reason to learn how to lower your cholesterol naturally. Statin drugs, the ones prescribed by doctors, have harmful side effects.

Statin drugs are very effective and work in a relatively short period of time (about two months).

However, you pay a big price health wise by using these drugs.

1/ Can cause serious and permanent liver damage.

Another side effect is that it causes muscle pain and

disease, the breakdown of muscles, overall weakness and problems with walking.

3/ Loss of memory and clarity. Creates confusion and possibly amnesia. 4/ Sexual dysfunction.

5/ Irritability.

6/ It can cause nausea, diarrhea, constipation, fever, sleeplessness and headaches.

7/ Deplete essential nutrients necessary for the heart and brain.

On the other hand, it is very possible to lower your high cholesterol naturally. This can be done without harmful side effects.

a- Exercise for at least 30 minutes every day. This can be extremely effective. Exercise will increase the good cholesterol (HDL). This will reduce the bad (LDL) cholesterol. Exercise naturally lowers the total cholesterol levels, all without harmful side effects.

b- Change your diet.

One should realize that having high cholesterol does not occur in a vacuum. Our diets and lack of activity are not contributing factors. The truth is that they are the only factors. The only heredity that is involved is the lifestyle that parents pass on to children.

It is essential to eat high fiber foods. This includes whole grains, vegetables, beans and fruit. Interestingly, the soluble fiber from the whole grains and beans will bind with the cholesterol and carry it out of your system.

c- Reduce or avoid bad sources of fat. This includes red meat and dairy products.

d- You can lower your cholesterol naturally with herbal supplements. Research has proven that natural herbal supplements will help to lower the bad cholesterol and increase the good cholesterol.

Chinese medicine incorporates the use of herbs and plants. Their traditional therapy produces remarkable results in the treatment of lowing cholesterol.

The thousands of years of Chinese medicine has developed herbal treatments that are all natural, mild, safe and effective.

There are major differences between conventional

western medicine and traditional Chinese medicine. The Chinese herbs that are used to lower cholesterol are very mild. The plus side is that they do not produce any harmful side effects.

Conversely, because they are so mild, they may take months to work.

Please take note: they apparently take months to work. Actually, the herbs start to work immediately. However, these mild herbs do not shock or jar our bodies. The change that they produce is gradual and steady.

As an added benefit, Chinese herbs will actually improve liver function (unlike statin drugs that damage the liver). Improved liver function is detectable after a couple of months. A simple blood test will verify this.

Herbal treatments have been around for centuries. They are usually safe and effective. If, however, your are taking other medication or under a physician's care, please consult with your doctor first.