cholesterolremedies.net

Cholesterol buildup in the coronary arteries leads to the condition known as Hridaya roga in Ayurveda, which literally means heart disease. This is similar to atherosclerosis. When the cholesterol collects in the arteries leading to the heart, their lumen becomes narrow and the amount of blood entering the heart is insufficient. Due to this the heart needs to pump harder, causing several kinds of cardiovascular diseases, the worst of which is the fatal angina pectoris.

Cholesterol is present in fatty acids. Some cholesterol is needed for the proper utilization of foods in the body, formation of the hormones and the bile, etc. This is known as the high-density cholesterol, or simply, the useful cholesterol. The rest of the cholesterol simply builds up in the arteries without any apparent function. This is the low-density cholesterol, or the bad cholesterol.

The buildup of cholesterol can be reduced by several Ayurvedic treatments. Cholesterol reduction means safety from the various cardiovascular diseases, which are the leading causes of deaths in the world today.

(1) Useful Herbs in the Treatment of Cholesterol

- Alfalfa (Medicago satina) Alfalfa is effective in treating problems of the arteries. It helps in clearing arteries congested with cholesterol.

- Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna) Arjuna has been used since centuries in the treatment of heart related problems such as heart attacks. The bark of the arjuna when taken in powder form has beneficial properties. This can dissolve the cholesterol that accumulates in the coronary artery and reduce the possibility of heart attacks.

- Coriander (Coriandrum sativum) Coriander is a very good diuretic. It makes the kidneys perform their functions of excretion better. Therefore the kidneys flush out the excess unneeded cholesterols from the body.

- Garlic (Allium cepa) Garlic is very beneficial to people with cholesterol problems that affect the heart. Eating two to three cloves of garlic a day helps to reduce or even completely eliminate the harmful cholesterol in the blood. Garlic can disintegrate the blood cholesterol and hence free up the arteries.

- Guggulu (Commiphora mukul) This is a traditional Indian herb which has become very popular in the Ayurvedic treatment of cholesterol-related heart problems. It contains guggulsterones which have been proven to reduce the levels of cholesterol on regular use. 25 mg of these guggulsterones are prescribed for intake thrice a day.

- Holy Basil (Ocimum sanctum) Holy basil has the capacity to dissolve the accumulated cholesterol from the arteries into the person’s bloodstream. From here they are eliminated by the kidneys.

(2) Dietary Treatments for Cholesterol

The various dietary regimes which will help you to reduce the buildup of cholesterol in the arteries are as follows:-

- Keep a careful watch on the amount of calories you are consuming. Say no to chocolates, ice creams, red meats and all such foods that can increase the calorie count.

- Sources of fats such as fried foods are to be avoided. Groundnut oil must be strictly prohibited. But fat sources such as cow’s milk, cow’s ghee and cow’s butter are recommended. Buffalo dairy products are to be avoided.

- Consume more fresh vegetables and fruits. Green leafy vegetables are needed since they would provide roughage for the elimination of the waste materials.

- Soy and soy products are very beneficial for the proper utilization of cholesterol.

- Drink lots of water. Water will help to remove the toxic buildup in the arteries.

- Smoking and alcoholism must be avoided as they interfere with the proper utilization of cholesterol in the body.

(3) Ayurvedic Treatment for Cholesterol

Ayurvedic treatment for high level of cholesterol is to prescribe the various herbs that have properties to reduce the buildup.

One popular herb in Ayurvedic medicine is arjuna. It is prescribed in several forms such as Arjunarishta and Arjuna Ghritam. Other popular medicines are Hridayarnava Rasa and Prabhakara Vati. If the cholesterol amount is very profuse, then Mrigamadasava is prescribed.

Yoga is also very beneficial in proper circulation and elimination of the cholesterol buildup in the body. Some of the useful asanas are:- a) Ardhamatsyendrasana b) Shalabhasana c) Padmasana d) Vajrasana

(4) Home Medications

- Drinking coriander in water everyday helps in the reduction of cholesterol in the body. This regime must be continued for about a month. Then the cholesterol levels must be checked again.

- Boil a glassful of milk with a piece of garlic in it. This will reduce the cholesterol and take care of cardiac pains. It has to be continued for a few days before the method begins to show its effects.

- Have cold hipbaths twice daily. These have been shown to have positive effects in the reduction of cholesterol when taken on a regular basis.

- A simple remedy is to have a single piece of garlic every morning. This takes time to show results, but the results are positive.

- Consume some almonds and walnuts on a daily basis.

Dr.Anna Hardy
http://www.articlesbase.com/wellness-articles/herbs-and-ayurvedic-remedies-for-cholesterol-treatment-111469.html

High blood pressure and high cholesterol levels affect a great number of Americans.  Many people do not wish to take serious medications with unknown ramifications for a condition that may very well plague them for the rest of their lives if they are not careful.  Of course, these same people can limit the effects of high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels by getting proper exercise and changing their diet to eat more healthily.  If this is not enough, however, there are some natural remedies and alternative health care measures to be taken.  Many of these measures come in the form of supplementation.

Garlic is a well known natural food that can help to lower blood pressure.  Of course, nobody wants to eat as much garlic as it would take for this to help!  Luckily, it is available in convenient supplement form and is very easy to obtain.  Consult your doctor before starting a garlic supplement regimen, as it acts as a blood thinner similar to the way aspirin does.  If your doctor gives you the green light to supplement with garlic, you can find capsules in your local health food store or vitamin shop that come with all of the benefits of ‘the real thing’ but without the negative lingering taste or smell that some people don’t enjoy.

Coenzyme Q, or CoQ10, is a supplement that has really gained in popularity over the last few years. It, too, can be helpful in reducing blood pressure levels.  Unlike most other supplements mentioned here, CoQ10 is an oil-soluble supplement as opposed to a water-soluble supplement.  It is widely touted as a powerful antioxidant, and has been known to help with migraine headaches.  It is most widely known for its positive effects on the heart, however.  Some manufacturers combine this supplement with the herb hawthorn to help prevent high blood pressure and/or lower cholesterol.  Hawthorn is an herb that is used by herbalists and those in holistic medicine all the time for the treatment of high blood pressure.  It is a small shrub that actually bears edible berries, the fruit of which is used in herbal tinctures and remedies.

Another treatment for high blood pressure as well as high cholesterol sounds almost backwards:  It is fish oil.  Many people would be surprised to hear that any type of oil is good for reversing high cholesterol or lowering blood pressure, but it’s true.  There are two types of cholesterol, one of which is ‘bad’ and one of which is ‘good’.  Supplementing with fish oil helps to lower ‘bad’ cholesterol levels, and it is difficult for many people to east enough fish to do this without taking a supplement.  This is one reason among many that fish oil supplements have become so popular.  Fish oil contains DHA, which is critical for proper brain functioning, but has also been studied for its use in lowering blood pressure.

Fish oil capsules should be chosen carefully, as some people do report having a problem with ‘fish burps’ or unpleasant aftertaste. Also, they do expire more quickly than some other supplements, and many times fish oil should be refrigerated depending on the manufacturer and the type of capsule or oil.  Be sure to read the label carefully so you can store your supplement properly.

A calcium-magnesium-potassium blend can also help with high blood pressure and unhealthy cholesterol levels.  This supplement combination can be found in your local health food store or vitamin shop, and it is beneficial to buy the complex so that you have no problem remembering to take these three supplements together, which is how they work best for this purpose.  Calcium has the added benefit of fortifying and strengthening bones and teeth, while magnesium is helpful for maintaining a sense of calm and well-being.  Potassium is a key mineral that helps muscles in the body to contract.  It also helps with regular brain and nerve function, and with balance between the body’s cells and their important fluid.

Folic acid, which is a B vitamin, is also important for regular blood pressure levels and proper cholesterol levels.  Folic acid is essential for a number of bodily functions, and is especially important in times of cell growth and stress to the body.  Pregnant women in particular must make sure to maintain high levels of folic acid.  Along with helping to lower blood pressure, it helps reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke, and has been known to promote better memory function as well.

Of course, neither this nor any other supplement will really help much if you do not exercise and watch what you eat.  Get on a good exercise program and tailor your diet according to your physician’s recommendations if you have been diagnosed with high blood pressure or high cholesterol.  Then, start a healthy supplement regimen like the one indicated above and you will be on your way to better heart health, less stress, and an overall better sense of well-being.

Megan Hazel
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/natural-alternative-remedies-to-lower-blood-pressure-and-cholesterol-1243680.html