It was prized by the ancient Greeks and Romans as a delicacy and aphrodisiac. But this funny-looking flower bud has a new niche these days…
It works like a statin to lower cholesterol levels. Italian researchers tested an extract of the plant on overweight people with high cholesterol. After eight weeks,1 the extract decreased their total cholesterol and “bad” LDL levels. Even more significant…it simultaneously increased their “good” HDL cholesterol levels.
A German study got even better results. Participants improved their cholesterol ratios after only six weeks. Their total cholesterol levels dropped 18.5 percent.2 Their LDL cholesterol decreased by 22.9 percent. Their LDL to HDL ratios decreased 20 percent.
And unlike statins, the extract had no adverse effects.
What’s the funny-looking—yet delicious—plant that can lower cholesterol in six weeks?
The artichoke.
We’ve told you before how dangerous statins are. We’ve warned you how they have been found to cause calcification.3 The very thing they are supposed to prevent.
Cynarin—the active phytonutrient in artichokes—is an effective natural statin. It lowers total cholesterol levels and balances HDL and LDL levels to a healthy ratio.
Like a statin, cynarin inhibits the liver’s ability to produce LDL—the “bad” cholesterol. It raises HDL—the “good” cholesterol. It allows proper blood flow without plaque buildup.
The leaf of the artichoke plant contains the highest concentration of cynarin. Eating the artichoke plant not only provides cynarin, it’s also high in fiber. And it helps maintain healthy digestion and liver function. One way to get all those benefits is by steaming the whole artichoke and eating the “meat” from the leaves.
But don’t be confused by the Jerusalem artichoke. That one is actually a root. So make sure you always pick globe artichokes. However, the leaf extract will give you the greatest benefit. You can find artichoke leaf extract at your local health food store.
Balancing your cholesterol ratios and lowering the overall number is vital to protecting your heart. High cholesterol is one of the leading culprits in stroke and heart disease. Artichoke will keep your cholesterol levels healthy. And it may just keep heart disease at bay.
References:
1 http://ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22746542
2 http://altmedicine.about.com/od/highcholesterol/a/highcholesterol.htm
3 http://institutefornaturalhealing.com/2012/09/new-research-shows-this-deadly-drug-is-even-worse-than-we-knew/
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