Cholesterol Ayurveda
Only when LDL is converted into a toxic form of oxidized LDL by oxygen free radicals in the blood, does it become truly dangerous. And it can occur in a person with low LDL too. Ayurveda remedies intervene at the very genesis of atherosclerosis, blocking the toxic transformation of LDL. Thus it is not only beneficial to the ones with high cholesterol, but everyone who is keen in preventing atherosclerosis and its grave hazards.
Following are the Ayurvedic measures to control and maintain optimum cholesterol levels:
► Drink 6 to 8 glasses of water daily.
► Start your day with fresh fruits and grains such as oats that are high in soluble fiber.
► Minimize consumption of animal products including dairy products. This is because animal foods are high in saturated fatty acids and dietary cholesterol.► Consume fish viz salmon, sardine and tuna as well as oysters, clams and mussels. These help lower LDL and improve HDL.
► Restrict consumption of Omega-6 rich oils such as corn oil and safflower oil. Instead, use olive oil, sesame oil and rapeseed oil that have good fat.
► Eat a lot of anti-oxidant foods such as strawberries, apples, nuts, carrots, broccoli and spinach.
► Use turmeric and curry leaves when cooking dishes. They have cholesterol lowering properties.
Ayurvedic remedies to fight cholesterol:
1. Boil water with 2 tsp coriander seed. Strain and drink this water twice daily. It helps reduce cholesterol, flushes out toxins, and improves digestion.
2. Guggulu (Commiphora mukul) is effective in lowering cholesterol. Buy it from any reputed Ayurvedic store and use it as per instructions on the container.
3. Grill 1 or 2 small cloves of garlic and take it daily with your main meal.
4. Take 1 to 2 capsules per day of Arjun (Terminalia arjuna) extract available in a capsule form. Arjun is rich in co-enzyme Q-10 (CoQ10) that helps lower LDL cholesterol and enhances HDL recovery.
