Sunflower Prevents High Cholesterol

Men and women are increasingly becoming obese and overweight. It is estimated that by 45 years 90% of humans are obese and have a negative lipid profile. Medicines for obesity and cholesterol are few and have terrible side effects. Hence increasingly Dieticians are looking closely at Home remedies and herbal method of cholesterol control.

Cholesterol is a wax like substance and is important for the normal metabolic functioning of the body. Cholesterol is an important constituent of cell organelles like the cell wall and nucleus. It is also present in the brain tissues, nerves, muscles, skin and liver. Cholesterol is the base substance for many types of hormones and is also important for the assimilation of Vitamin D. Bile which emulsifies the fat also contains cholesterol. But if a person intakes more cholesterol than what is required by the body, the excess cholesterol is deposited in the walls of the arteries leading to many kinds of circulatory disorders like atherosclerosis or heart attack.

Today lack of fiber in daily diet is indicted for many ailments like constipation. Hectic life style has upset the traditional way of cooking. People are resorting to eating ready made food and junk food. Such food contains a lot of toxic substances used as preservatives and flavors. These foods have hardly any fiber components.

High Cholesterol levels have a profound effect on obesity. Obese individuals have unusually high levels of LDL and low HDL. Obesity also is indicted in ailments like cardiac arrest, high blood pressure. Obesity is also the cause of syndrome X. Syndrome X is characterized by collection of fat on the abdominal walls, raised levels of bad cholesterol (LDL), hypertension and insulin resistance. Syndrome X is also believed to be a pre-cursor to diabetes and is associated with high mortality in the First Instance heart attack in patients.

Sunflower seeds are one of the best functional foods, one that is loaded with nutrients and trace elements. Inhabitants of China and Argentina have been consuming Sunflower seeds for centuries. Sunflower is being cultivated along the length and breadth of USA. Sunflower has been hailed by protagonists of natural and herbal treatment as a remedy for, arthrosclerosis, cardiac infraction and other diseases. Sunflower contains an excess of Phytosterols. Phytosterols are related to cholesterols except that they have an extra methyl group than their unworthy cousins. The Phytosterols help in reducing the cholesterol in the blood. The exact mechanism id still not clearly understood.

By: Stanley George

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Sunflower reduce the High cholesterol levels and help to prevent Angina and coronary ailments which are precipitated by High Cholesterol.