"What Are the Traditional or Folk Remedies Known to Help Lower Blood Lipids?"
Managing High Blood Lipids for a Healthier Life
High blood lipids have emerged as a significant health hazard, often underlying various hidden diseases such as cerebral hemorrhage and cerebral thrombosis. Consequently, managing blood lipids has become a universal concern. When high blood lipids manifest, patients may experience leg cramps, xanthelasma palpebrarum, and in severe cases, even vision impairment. Thus, preventive measures are crucial in daily life, starting with dietary adjustments to reduce fat intake and incorporating regular exercise to maintain normal blood lipid levels.
Folk Remedies for Lowering Blood Lipids
1. Fig, Red Date, Hawthorn Tea
To prepare, gather some ginger, figs, hawthorns, and red dates. Place them in a pot with water and simmer over low heat for about half an hour until reduced to a bowlful of soup. This tea helps cleanse and lower blood lipids.
2. Sweet Potato, Red Date Porridge
Ingredients include lotus seeds, sweet potatoes, red dates, and japonica rice. Peel and dice the red dates, then wash all ingredients together before boiling over low heat for half an hour. This porridge is delicious, lowers cholesterol, and promotes good health and longevity.
3. Three Red Wines
This remedy involves soaking red dates, raw hawthorns, rice wine, and brown sugar together for half a month. Shake the mixture daily and consume 30-50ml once or twice daily. It promotes blood circulation, nourishes the blood, and is suitable for patients with high blood lipids or arteriosclerosis.
Symptoms of High Blood Lipids
1. Xanthelasma Palpebrarum - An accumulation of fat in the eyelids, resulting in yellowish protrusions. This is uncommon in young people and generally harmless but indicates high blood lipids.
2. Vision Decline or Transient Blindness - Excessively high blood lipids can cause lipoproteins to leak into the retina via capillaries, leading to vision loss or even temporary blindness.
3. Frequent Abdominal Pain - If unexplained abdominal pain occurs, it may indicate high triglycerides, which can accumulate in the pancreas, damaging it and triggering acute pancreatitis.
4. Frequent Leg Cramps - In the elderly, leg cramps are often attributed to cold or calcium deficiency, but high blood lipids can also cause abnormal cholesterol metabolism, leading to muscle contractions or blood vessel narrowing.
Daily Strategies for Lowering Blood Lipids
1. Healthy Breakfast - Start the day with a nutritious breakfast, favoring light foods like sweet potatoes or whole grains, avoiding fried or spicy items.
2. Healthy Snacks - Snacking doesn't have to be unhealthy. Nuts, rich in monounsaturated fats, can help prevent heart disease. Pair them with fruits for a well-rounded snack.
3. Regular Exercise - Occasional exercise is insufficient; consistency is key. Aim for 3-5 days of exercise per week, each session lasting at least half an hour, to improve overall health and fitness.