One of the top risk factors for heart disease (the world’s leading cause of death), high cholesterol can trigger the formation of plaques in your arteries and – in turn – set you up for heart attack or stroke. A species of brown algae sold in dietary supplement form, Ecklonia cava is sometimes touted as a natural solution for achieving healthy cholesterol levels. Research shows that Ecklonia cava contains compounds with antioxidant effects, which may help prevent LDL (“bad”) cholesterol from forming plaques on artery walls.
While very few clinical trials have tested Ecklonia cava’s health effects, one study published in Phytotherapy Research in 2012 found that 12 weeks of treatment with Ecklonia cava supplements helped improve cholesterol levels in overweight men and women. The study included 97 participants, and also found that those given a high dose of Ecklonia cava experienced a significant decrease in systolic blood pressure (the top number on a blood pressure reading).
For more help in managing your cholesterol, make sure to include antioxidant-rich foods in your diet, and try sipping green tea on a regular basis.
Read the full article on Ecklonia cava here.
http://altmedicine.about.com/od/herbsupplementguide/fl/Ecklonia-Cava.htm
Source: Phytotherapy Research
