In one study, 48 people with mildly high cholesterol were given diet and lifestyle advice to help lower their cholesterol.
Thirty-two participants were also given 0.85 ounces (25 ml) of oregano oil after each meal.
After three months, those given the oregano oil had lower “bad” LDL cholesterol, and higher “good” HDL cholesterol, compared to those just given diet and lifestyle advice.
What is “good” and “bad” cholesterol?
Cholesterol comes in two types – low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL).
The former has acquired the infamous title “bad” because it builds up in the walls of your arteries, making them hard and narrow – a process that raises your risk of heart disease.
The latter is branded “good” because it picks up excess cholesterol and takes it back to your liver – this reduces your risk of heart disease.
Research suggests carvacrol, the main compound in oregano oil, is responsible for the cholesterol-lowering effect.
READ RELATED: Pig-to-human heart transplants show promise after success in two New York patients
The compound was shown to help lower cholesterol in mice that were fed a high-fat diet over 10 weeks.
The mice given carvacrol alongside the high-fat diet had significantly lower cholesterol at the end of the 10 weeks, compared to those that were just given a high-fat diet.
Thymol, another plant compound found in oregano oil, is also thought to lower cholesterol.
Foods to avoid
According to the NHS, the worst culprits for high cholesterol are foods high in saturated fat.
Eating too many foods high in saturated fat can raise the level of cholesterol in your blood.
Foods high in saturated fat include:
- Meat pies
- Sausages and fatty cuts of meat
- Butter, ghee and lard
- Cream
- Hard cheeses
- Cakes and biscuits
Source: Daily Express
