Ayurvedic Treatment for Cholesterol

Causes of Cholesterol

Lifestyle factors and genetic factors are the primary causes of high cholesterol. Lifestyle factors may include:

• Smoking: Smoking has been linked with a lowering of your “good cholesterol” (HDL) and an increase in your “bad cholesterol” (LDL).
• Stress: Stress can be the trigger point for hormonal changes that can result in high cholesterol.
• Alcohol: Drinking too much alcohol has also been linked with an increase in the cholesterol levels in the body.
• A lack of exercise: Engaging in physical activities like aerobic and non-aerobic exercises improves HDL count in the body.
• Diet: Consuming a diet high in trans fats and saturated fats will increase cholesterol levels. Processed and packaged foods, fatty parts of meat, deep-fried fast foods, full-fat dairy products, etc. are some of the foods that increase bad cholesterol, or LDL.

Diagnosing Cholesterol in Ayurveda

Doctors usually prescribe a blood test called a lipid panel or lipid profile to check cholesterol levels. This test reports:

• Total Cholesterol
• LDL Cholesterol
• HDL Cholesterol
• Triglycerides

You must not consume anything for 9 to 12 hours before the test. However, some cholesterol tests don’t require fasting. So, better consult your doctor before going for the blood test.

Ayurvedic Medicine for Cholesterol

Ayurvedic treatment for cholesterol, as briefly mentioned, makes use of medicines to keep a lid on high cholesterol levels. Some of the best Ayurvedic medicine for cholesterol are:

• Medicago Satina: Also known as Alfalfa, this herb can effectively deal with artery-related diseases. They are shown to be effective in clearing arteries clogged with high cholesterol. You can mix this herb in your juice and consume it daily; however, consult your doctor before consuming any herb.
• Arjuna: Arjuna is extensively used in Ayurvedic treatment for cholesterol, as it has been found effective in dealing with cardiac conditions such as heart blockages, heart attacks, etc. This Ayurvedic herb can dissolve cholesterol and help prevent heart blockages.
• Coriander: Coriander is an excellent herbal diuretic that aids in the excretion of waste from the body, including cholesterol. You can consume this spice daily as well.
• Garlic: Ayurveda for high cholesterol levels also utilizes the anti-inflammatory properties of garlic to manage high cholesterol levels in the blood. Garlic helps in freeing up arteries that supply blood to the heart. Other than this, garlic also has various other health benefits. Do include 2-3 cloves of garlic in your daily meals.
• Guggulu: Guggulu is quite effective in maintaining blood pressure and high cholesterol in the blood. Guggulsterone is an excellent blocker of bad cholesterol in the blood. Consume this ayurvedic herb after meals to get the best out of it.
• Holy basil or tulsi: Basil can help remove excess cholesterol through the kidneys. Basil has shown an ability to disintegrate cholesterol from the body. Consume 2-3 leaves of basil daily to get an effective result.

If you want to effectively control cholesterol levels in the blood, implement dietary changes such as:

• Limit foods with high cholesterol, like meat.
• Eat foods that are high- in soluble fiber, like oatmeal, oat bran, apples, bananas, pears, prunes, kidney beans, lentils, chickpeas, lima beans, etc.
• Make your diet high in fruits and vegetables.
• Eat foods that are high in omega-3 fatty acids, like salmon, tuna, and mackerel.
• Limit salt and moderate the consumption of alcohol.

Frequently Asked Question(FAQs)