Phytochemicals effective in lowering Low-Density Lipoproteins

ABSTRACT

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of morbidity and mortalityaround the globe. The key risk factor of cardiovascular diseases, hypercholesterolemiais expected to increase in the future. Phytochemicals, are natural compounds found inplants, having antioxidant properties. These antioxidant properties can be utilized toreduce the occurrence of chronic diseases and provide many health benefits in humans.Phytochemicals such as Indoles, plant sterols, flavonoids and lignans have beenextracted and studied widely. It is because of their antioxidant properties they can beused in preventing hypercholesterolemia. This review illustrates and summarizesvarious phytochemicals and their mechanisms in lowering LDL cholesterol levels. Theprogress and the results achieved in studies relevant to the hypocholesterolemiceffects of these phytochemicals are also illustrated. It was interpreted that on theavailability of sufficient and confirmatory data about the efficacy of phytochemicals inlowering LDL cholesterol levels, plant-based diets or drugs containing extracts ofphytochemicals can then be deployed in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia