Ayurvedic Medicine for Cholesterol: Should You Try It?

Modern treatments for high cholesterol include lifestyle changes and cholesterol-lowering drugs like statins.

In contrast, high cholesterol Ayurvedic treatments include diet, massage, yoga, breathing, behavior modification, exercise, cleansing, hyperthermia, enema, And herbal supplements (1, Three).

Ayurvedic practitioners usually develop treatment plans based on their individual needs.

Studies have changed diets, certain Ayurvedic habits such as supplements, and Stress reduction It lowers cholesterol levels and enhances other aspects of health.

Ayurvedic supplements used to treat high cholesterol

Ayurvedic medicine uses herbs to treat high cholesterol. The most commonly used herbs are garlic, Google (Comiforum), and Arjuna (Terminary Arjuna) (1).

These herbs can be used alone, but turmeric, ginger, shilajit, licorice, pushcarmol (Inura Racemosa), Cyperus rotundus, Hamabishi, Punarnava (Boerhaavia diffusa), Nigella Sativa, Garcinia, Trifala, And other ingredients (1).

These ingredients are often combined to make Ayurvedic medicines such as Mustadi Ghanavti. Cyperus rotundus, turmeric, Hamabishi, And other Ayurvedic substances (Four).

Ayurvedic medicines are concentrated herbal preparations called juices, powders, tablets, extracts and decoctions (1).

Overview

Ayurvedic treatments for high cholesterol include dietary restrictions, fasting, massage, hyperthermia, and herbal medicine.

Studies suggest that certain Ayurvedic medicine approaches may help lower cholesterol levels.

Food and lifestyle

Ayurvedic practices to reduce cholesterol include certain dietary changes, such as low fat and caloric intake (Five).

In addition, Ayurvedic dietary patterns promote whole unprocessed foods and limit intake of processed foods, with particular emphasis on vegetable foods (6, 7).

Reduction of excessive calories Also, replacing processed foods with nutritional foods as advertised on the Ayurvedic diet is an effective way to lower cholesterol levels (Five, 8, 9).

Studies also show stress relief, exercise, mindfulness techniques, and other Ayurvedic treatments such as: yoga, Breathing exercises, and hyperthermia, total and LDL (bad) cholesterol levels (Ten, 11, 12).

Ayurvedic herbal remedies for cholesterol

Studies suggest that common herbs and mixtures of herbs used in Ayurvedic medicine may help lower cholesterol levels.

In a study of 87 patients with high cholesterol, taking 5 grams of arjuna powder twice daily for 3 weeks, followed by 500 mg of alogardini bachi twice daily for 4 weeks increased HDL. While total cholesterol and LDL (bad) cholesterol were greatly reduced cholesterol (13).

Arjuna powder is made from the bark of Terminary Arjuna Indian native tree arogyavardhini vati Is a combination of herbs and other substances containing (13):

• Terminalia chebula (Haritaki)
• Commiphora wightii (Guguru)
• Emblica officinalis (Amaraki)
• Shilajit (silajatu-suddha)
• Terminalia bellerica (Bibitaki)

Trifala is another popular Ayurvedic multi-herb formulation containing gooseberries from India, Terminalia bellerica (Vibitaka), and Terminalia chebula (Haritaki). Animal studies have shown that it may treat high cholesterol, but human studies are needed (14).

Nevertheless, human studies have investigated Mustadi Ghanabuti, an herbal mixture containing Ayurvedic ingredients such as turmeric and Indian barberry.

In particular, a 30-day study of 50 people with high cholesterol not only reduced total cholesterol by 22.4% and LDL (bad) cholesterol by 18.2% when taking 3 grams of Mustadi Ghanabuti daily, (Good) Cholesterol also increased by 5.6%. , Compared to placebo group (Four).

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) Is another Ayurvedic herb that may have cholesterol-lowering properties. A 30-day study of 18 people found that different doses of up to 1 gram per day significantly reduced total cholesterol compared to baseline (15).

The exact mechanism is not clear, but Ayurvedic herbs may provide botanical compounds with cholesterol-lowering properties, such as promoting the breakdown of cholesterol in the body (1).

These results are promising, but require larger and higher quality studies.

Overview

Ayurvedic treatments, such as diet and certain herbal supplements, can lower cholesterol levels. Nevertheless, further research is needed.

Although some methods used in Ayurvedic medicine have not been associated with side effects, herbal supplements carry risks.

For example, several studies investigating Ayurvedic herbs for cholesterol have noted side effects such as diarrhea, abdominal cramps, hallucinations, weakness, and skin rashes. headache (1, Four, 15).

In addition, many herbs can interfere with commonly prescribed medications such as anticoagulants, blood pressure medications, and antibiotics (16, 17, 18, 19, 20).

To be safe, it is important to consult your health care provider before taking any Ayurvedic herbal remedies, especially if you are taking any medications.

In addition, in Ayurveda Meal suggestions It can be confusing and overly restrictive, especially if you are just trying to lower your cholesterol levels.

Overview

Many Ayurvedic habits are safe, but herbal supplements can cause harmful side effects. In addition, some dietary changes may not be necessary for those trying to lower their cholesterol levels.

Some Ayurvedic treatments may help lower cholesterol, but other evidence-based methods to reduce this blood marker may be more effective.

Here are some effective ways to reduce cholesterol:

• Increase your fiber intake. According to research Increase fiber intake It’s one of the best ways to reduce cholesterol. Soluble fibers such as those found in beans, fruits, flax and oats may be most effective (twenty one).
• Reduces excess body fat. Removing excess body fat may lower cholesterol. Weight loss of only 5-10% leads to a significant reduction in total and LDL (bad) cholesterol (twenty two).
• Eat more botanical foods. Increasing your intake of vegetables and fruits can lower your LDL (bad) cholesterol levels and reduce your risk of heart disease (twenty three, twenty four).
• Raise your activity level. Exercise reduces LDL (bad) cholesterol and increases HDL (good) cholesterol (twenty five, 26th).
• Try the Mediterranean diet. How to eat this It is strongly associated with improved heart health, lower LDL (bad) cholesterol, and increased HDL (bad) cholesterol. The diet is rich in olive oil, seafood, vegetables, nuts and beans (27th, 28).
• Cut the processed food and add sugar. Frequent intake of processed foods and sugar increases the risk of heart disease and associated risk factors such as high LDL (bad) cholesterol (29th).

Quitting smoking and taking certain supplements such as curcumin and omega-3 fats can also help lower cholesterol levels (30, 31, 32).

It is important to note that cholesterol levels depend on factors other than diet, activity and weight. For example, inheriting genetic mutations can make it more difficult to maintain your cholesterol levels at your target levels, even though you have a healthy lifestyle (33).

Talk to your healthcare provider if you need advice on how to safely lower your cholesterol levels.

Overview

If you don’t want or can’t take Ayurvedic herbs, you can lower your cholesterol levels by improving your diet, gaining more exercise, losing excess weight, and quitting smoking.

In the study, Herbal supplement, May lower cholesterol levels.

However, Ayurvedic herbs are not safe for everyone and can have side effects.

If you want to try Ayurvedic medicines, consult a reputable Ayurvedic expert. In addition, consult your healthcare provider before adding Herbal Formula to your routine.

Other evidence-based strategies are Lowers cholesterol levels.. These include increased physical activity and increased fiber intake.