An Article by Dr. Vikram Chauhan (MD-Ayurveda)

           

This article contains the topics of herbal treatment for cholesterol, home remedies, Tips for cholesterol control, natural treatment for cholesterol, Herbs for Cholesterol. This page not only explains herbal treatment for cholesterol but also provides useful information for patients, medical students, Ayurveda and herbal students.

           

SOME USEFUL TIPS TO REDUCE CHOLESTEROL

  1. Eat a diet that contains many low cholesterol foods. Replace saturated and trans fat with unsaturated fats.
  2. If you eat meat, try using meat like skinless poultry. Make sure trim off all noticeable fat before cooking and drain the it from the pan after browning meats.
  3. Instead of frying, try boiling, broiling, baking, roasting, poaching, steaming or sautéing.
  4. Instead of of neat try beans, lentils or tofu.
  5. Instead of eggs try egg whites or cholesterol free commercial egg substitutes.
  6. Use liquid vegetable oil or tub margarine instead of butter, shortening or stick margarine. Stay away from the products that contain hydrogenated vegetable oils.
  7. Pass on commercially prepared baked goods which are often made with hydrogenated oils or trans fats.

Foods that are low in saturated fat include fat free as 1% dairy products, lean meat, fish, skinless poultry, whole grain foods and fruits and vegetables. Food high in cholesterol should be limited, including liver and other organ meats, egg yolk, and full fat dairy products. Decease total fat in diet decreases percent of fat in diet derived from cholesterol and saturated fat, avoid smoking and anabolic steroids.

           

EXERCISE TO REDUCE CHOLESTEROL

           

Regular aerobic exercise- stuff like biking walking and swimming strengthen your heart, lowers cholesterol and helps you to lose excess weight. Not being physically active is a risk factor for heart diseases. Regular physical activity helps lower your bad cholesterol raises your good cholesterol level and helps you to lose weight. You should try to be physically active for 30 minutes a day especially if you have high triglycerides and /or low –cholesterol levels and are overweight with a large waist measurement.

           

The main cause of heart diseases is high cholesterol for long time. High cholesterol blocks the coronary arteries and due to obstruction in arteries there is reduced flow of blood to heart which causes heart attack.

HERBAL TREATMENT FOR CHOLESTEROL

Herbs have divine healing power and they are really helpful in curing the problem permanently. Ayurveda, an ancient Indian healing system offers miraculous herbs to get rid of cholesterol permanently. Liver is the seat of Cholesterol metabolism. So herbs which act on cholesterol must be accompanied by liver supporting herbs or detox herbs like Aloe vera juice, to solve the problem permanently.

           

AYURVEDIC TREATEMENT FOR CHOLESTEROL

  • Cleansing – Ayurveda recommends a program of internal cleansing (Panchakarma) with every change of season to help your body flush out ‘aama’. Drink lots of warm water to clean the system.
  • Herbal Supplements – Which are formulated to cleanse the fat tissue or ‘aama’

DIET AND LIFESTYLE TO REDUCE CHOLESTROL

  • Take food before three hour when going to sleep.
  • Go to bed by 10 p.m. to help the body get rid of free radicals
  • Consume a lot of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and nuts. Avoid drugs, alcohol and smoking.

HERBS TO REDUCE CHOLESTEROL NATURALLY

  • Arjun (Terminalia arjuna)
  • Pushkarmool (Inula racemosa)
  • Dalcini (Cinnamomum zeylanica )
  • Kali Mirch (Piper nigrum)

  • Bramhi (Bacopa monnieri)
  • Guduchi (Tinospora cardifolia)
  • Ashwagandha (Withenia somnifera
  • Punarnava (Boerhavia diffusa)
  • Kutki (Picrorhiza kurroa)
  • Lasun (Garlic – Allium sativum)
  • Haritaki (Termnallia Chebula)

HERBAL REMEDIES FOR HIGH CHOLESTEROL

Planet Ayurveda provides best combination of effective herbal remedies such as Heart Care Pack for ayurvedic treatment of high cholesterol. These remedies are very helpful in reducing high cholesterol levels naturally. These herbal remedies are prepared from using best quality herbs and strictly follow the principles of Ayurveda. All these herbal remedies of Planet Ayurveda are 100 percent pure, natural and vegetarian. These are free from chemicals, additives and preservatives. These are safe to use as these are free from side effects.

DOSAGE

  1. ARJUNA CAPSULES – 2 capsules twice daily.
  2. ARJUN TEA – 2 cups twice daily.
  3. TOTAL HEART SUPPORT – 2 capsules twice daily.

PRODUCTS DESCRIPTION

1. ARJUNA CAPSULES

Planet Ayurveda’s Arjuna Capsules contain 100% standardized extract of Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna). It has been found to be effective natural and pure herbal remedy for heart problems like blocked coronary arteries, high cholesterol, congestive heart failure and other heart problems. It is not only helpful in major heart problems but also for the metabolic diseases which lead to heart weakness and failure.

2. ARJUN TEA

Arjun Tea is a nicotine/caffeine free herbal tea. It is an effective herbal remedy for ayurvedic treatment of high cholesterol. It is a natural product consist of harmless herbs that are used in Ayurveda since ancient times. It’s delicious taste makes it easy to consume. It is rich source of natural Anti-oxidants.

3. TOTAL HEART SUPPORT

Total Heart Support is purely a herbal formulation without any chemicals added into it. Even the outer shell is transparent as we have not even used colored capsules because of the chemical used for coloring. The ingredients are frequently used in Ayurvedic system of medicine since 5,000 B.C. without any side effects. The capsules are very useful in high cholesterol, disturbed lipid profile and blocked coronary artereies.

To buy Heart Care Pack, please visit store.planetayurveda.com/products/heart-care-pack.

MORE HOME REMEDIES FOR HIGH CHOLESTEROL

  1. Holy Basil Juice 20 ml everyday, empty stomach is an excellent home remedy for high chlesterol.
  2. Ginger Juice – 5-10 ml of Ginger juice is another useful herbal remedy for high cholesterol.
  3. Garlic – 1-2 Garlic cloves should be taken  after meals to keep a check on cholesterol.
  4. Arogya Vardhni Vati – A herbal tablet made from herbs like Picrorrhiza kurrao or herbal tea made from kurrao is a useful home remedy for cholesterol. Arogyavardhni Vati is available at herbal tablets section of our website.

           

YOGA ASANAS FOR HIGH CHOLESTEROL

Following Yoga Postures are Useful in Bringing the Chlesterol Level Under Control:

  1. Shavasan
  2. Padmasan
  3. Pashchimuttanasan
  4. Gomukh asan
  5. Makrasan

1. SUN SALUTATION (SURYA NAMASKAR) : This set of yoga exercises are recommended for cardiovascular health. Do at least 2 to 4 cycles a day. It will help to strengthen the health of the heart and help to prevent heart attack.

2. SAVASANA (CORPSE POSE) : is the preferred yogic asana for relaxation. Lie down quietly on the floor in a mat, flat on your back with your arms by your sides. Concentrate on the flow of your breath.

3. ANULOM (VILOMA PRANAYAMA): Pranayama is the fourth part of the eight-fold Yoga described in the Yoga sutra of Patanjali- the most authoritative book on yoga, written in the 2nd century before Christ.

If this Pranayama is practiced for 3 or 4 months regularly, 30 to 40% of blockages in the arteries are dissolved and removed ! Thus preventing the phenomenon of heart attack.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT CHOLESTEROL

REGULATION OF CHOLESTEROL BIOSYNTHESIS

The amount of cholesterol synthesized in part directly related to cholesterol content in diet. If diet contains large amounts of cholesterol then organism will synthesize little, if however diet contains only a small amount of cholesterol, organism can produce considerable quantities. Cholesterol biosynthesis is regulated by negative feedback Mechanism. The rate limiting enzyme in cholesterol biosynthesis is HMG coA-reductase, which regulate the conversion of hmg coA to monotonic acid. Fasting inhibits cholesterol biosynthesis by diverting HMG coA to ketone bodies formation where vas high fat, diet, increases cholesterol production.

High levels of cholesterol are associated with atherosclerosis which is characterized by deposition of cholesterol ester and other lipids in connective tissues of arterial walls. Diet rich in saturated fatty acids increase plasma cholesterol concentration. Replacement of saturated fat with fat that is rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids such as linoleic acids decreases cholesterol concentration.

Corn oil, peanut oil, cotton seed oil lower blood cholesterol whereas butter fat and coconut oil raises it. Cholesterol occurs in all food of animal origin. Also a part of it is synthesized in body. The plasma cholesterol is determined by: the amount absorbed from food and the amount synthesized inside the body. The rate of catabolism and excretion in bile intestinal reabsorption of bile acids. the equilibrium between plasmas and tissues the extend to which intake influences, total cholesterol level are highly variable.

The total serum cholesterol is the sum of the cholesterol in three lipoproteins fractions viz. VLDL, LDL, HDL, – cholesterol. Most of the serum cholesterol is in LDL. LDL is dominated by its cholesterol content.VLDL is dominated by its triglyceride content. From long term observations it become quite clear that HDL levels, the higher they are , the more protective they seem to be against CHD.In populations where the plasma cholesterol is high there is also generally A high consumption of saturated fats. The cholesterol raising effect is mainly produced by c12 c14, c16, acids , stearic acids and fatty acids with less than 12 c-atoms have smaller effect on plasma cholesterol The proportion has often been made that low HDL/LDL ratio favors the development of ATHEROMA ,thus favoring the onset of CHD.

Normal adult synthesis about 1-1.5gm of cholesterol per day where as diet provides only .3 gm of cholesterol per day.

In normal human adults cholesterol is found in its largest amount in liver about 0.3%, brain and nervous tissue 2%, and certain endocrine glands with adrenal glands containing some 10%. As much as 50% of myelin sheath there surrounds nerves its cholesterol. Liver is the main site of cholesterol biosynthesis but intestine is also an important site of synthesis in man. Tissue where cholesterol synthesis takes place are skin adrenal cortex, testes, aorta etc. the cholesterol biosynthesis takes place in the extra mitochondrial compartment of cell. Cholesterol is the product of animal origin. Cholesterol occurs in egg yolk, meat, liver, brain.

The normal serum cholesterol level is the 150-250 mg% about 2/3 of it is present in etherified form. Etherification takes place in the liver. Cholesterol is transported in blood as lipoprotein. The highest proportion of cholesterol is found in low density lipoprotein fraction.

Cholesterol can’t be catabolized to straight chain molecule or to acetyl coA . Therefore cholesterol can’t be used as energy source by cells. The combined risk factors of coronary heart diseases can be determined following estimations of serum cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol. Ratio of cholesterol to HDL-cholesterol has predictive value in determining risk of CHD more accurately. HDL-cholesterol represents approx. 20-25% of total cholesterol in serum.

Low cholesterol maybe be predictive of CHD risk where as HDL confers protection. People with high HDL levels are resistant to the development of atherosclerosis. HDL removes cholesterol from peripherals tissues and CVs. People with high LDL level are prone to the development of atherosclerosis.

   

LDL is sometimes called bad cholesterol because it may serve as source for cholesterol that accumulates in atherosclerosis plague.

CLINICAL FEATURES:

  • Diabetes mellitus
  • Nephritic syndrome
  • Obstructive jaundice
  • Hyperparathyroidism
  • Myxoedema
  • Xanthomatosis

CHOLESTEROL LEVELS DECREASES IN:

  • Hyperthyroidism
  • Pernicious anemia
  • Haemolytic jaundice
  • Malabsorption syndrome severe wasting
  • In acute infections

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE:

  • High levels in cardiovascular diseases
  • Assessment of cardiovascular risk
  • Increased levels with parental history of heart diseases

ALSO ELEVATED IN CASE OF:

  • Nephritic syndrome
  • Renal dialysis
  • Uncontrolled diabetes
  • Hypothyroidism

ABSORPTION OF CHOLESTEROL:

  1. A great part of ingested cholesterol is absorbed, plant sterols are not absorbed.
  2. On a high cholesterol diet, man absorbs max. Of only 15 mg of cholesterol per kg body weight per day.
  3. Bile is essential for its absorption.
  4. The cholesterol absorbed regulates the endogenous production of cholesterol which is about 14mg/kg body weight per day.
  5. Pancreatic juice plays an important role because cholesterol esterase present in it hydrolysis the esters of cholesterol present in diet.
  6. after absorption , it is again esterified in the cell and then released for transport via lymphatic to thoracic ducti

NORMAL CONCENTRATION OF CHOLESTEROL IN BLOOD

140 -250 mg/100 ml of blood. It increases with age and also during pregnancy.

FACTORS AFFECTING CHOLESTEROL LEVEL IN BLOOD

  1. Dietary fat
  2. Dietary cholesterol
  3. Dietary carbohydrates
  4. Heredity
  5. Calorific intake
  6. Proteins
  7. Vitamin B –complex
  8. Minerals
  9. Physical exercise
  10. Fibre

CHANGES IN DIET PLAYS AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN REDUCING CHOLESTEROL:

Hereditary factors play greatest role in determining individual blood cholesterol concentration but of dietary and environmental factors that lowers blood cholesterol , substitution in diet of polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids for some of saturated fatty acids is most beneficial.

Naturally occurring oils that contain a high portion of polyunsaturated fatty acids include sunflower, cotton seeds, corn oil , olive oil contain a high proportion of monounsaturated fatty acids. On the other hand butter, fat, palm oil, contain high proportion of saturated fatty acids.

The reasons for cholesterol lowering effect of PUFA are still not clear. However several hypothesis have been advanced including the simulation of oxidation of cholesterol to bile acids. Diets rich in palmitate inhibit conversion of cholesterol to bile acids.

The effect is due to shift in distribution of cholesterol from plasma into tissues because of increased catabolic rate of LDL due to up regulation of LDL receptor by poly and mono unsaturated fatty acids.

DISTRIBUTION OF CHOLESTEROL IN BODY

The Broad Facts About Distribution of Cholesterol are Given Below:

  1. It is present in all cells both in cell membrane nd cytoplasm.
  2. All body fluids cholesterol excepting cerebrospinal fluid in which the amount is negligible
  3. It may exist in the free state as well as in the form of esters, in bile, it is present in the free form
  4. Brain and suprarenal have richest supply
  5. Normal blood cholesterol varies between .15%-.0.2 5. the total quantity is equally distributed between plasma and corpuscles but in corpuscles it is present chiefly in the free form while in the plasma the major part remains as esters
  6. The free cholesterol content of a tissue is characterized and normally remains very constant but the cholesterol esters may vary in amount
  7. The distribution of cholesterol in different type of muscles is directly proportional to the degree if activity. The cardiac and smooth muscles have richer cholesterol content than voluntary muscles. Moreover there appears to be a definite ratio between phospholipids and cholesterol for each tissue. So that they not only remain together in a definite proportion

TRANSPORT OF CHOLESTEROL IN BODY

  • Cholesterol in diet after absorption from the intestine is incorporated into chylomicrons and VLDL being accompanied by other lipids.
  • The greater part of cholesterol is esterifies form . It is transported as lipoproteins in plasma highest proportion found in LDL.

EXCRETION OF CHOLESTEROL:

  1. Cholesterol in diet after absorption from the intestine is incorporated into chlomicrons and half of cholesterol eliminated from body is excreted in the faeces after conversion to bile salts.
  2. cartostanolis principle sterol in faeces which is cholesterol in lower intestine by bacterial flora
  3. a large proportion of billiary excretion of bile salts undergoes enter hepatic circulation

BLOOD CHOLESTEROL IN PREGNANCY:

During pregnancy, blood cholesterol rises and rapidly comes back to normal after confinement. It may be that this rise is due to hyper activity of adrenal cortex, produced during and the exact function is not known.

It may be associated with rapid cell division and tissue differentiation of the Foetus. It may also be that this high cholesterol ensures the supply of the mother substance from which large amount of sex hormones are manufactured during pregnancy.

EFFECTS OF CHOLESTEROL FEEDING:

  1. Ingestion of cholesterol rich food increases the level of cholesterol in blood and such increase is not observed when such sample of diet taken once.
  2. Cholesterol feeding is one of the most certain means of producing excess deposition of fats as well as cholesterol esters in the liver.
  3. Arteriosclerosis has been observed in animals and man fed with diet containing high cholesterol but it has not been proved in man.

LIFE STYLE EFFECTING SERUM CHOLESTEROL LEVEL:

Additional factors considered to play a part in CHD include high BP, smoking, male gender, obesity, lack of exercise and soft as apposed to hard water. Elevation of plasma free fatty acids will lead to increased VLDL level by liver involving extra triglycerol and cholesterol output into circulation.

Some other factors leading to higher level of free fatty acids include emotional stress, smoking, coffee drinking and partaking of few large meals rather than more continuous feeding.

PHYSIOLOGICAL IMPORTANCE OF CHOLESTEROL IN BODY

  • It is an essential constitute of the cell.
  • it aids in the permeability of cell
  • It controls red cells from being easily harmolysed.
  • It functions as defensive action.
  • It transports fat to liver in the form of cholesterol ester for oxidation.
  • It helps in granulation of the cell division.
  • It acts as an antagonist to phospholipids.

FUNCTIONS OF CHOLESTEROL IN OUR BODY

  1. Essential constituent of all cells.
  2. Controls cell permeability.
  3. Prevents haemolysis
  4. Defensive action.
  5. Fat transport formation of colic acid.
  6. controls cell division
  7. It is a parent substance of all steroid hormones of sex glands, adrenal cortex

COMPLICATIONS AND DISEASES RELATED TO CHOLESTEROL

  1. Hyper cholestremia
  2. Atherosclerosis
  3. Gall stones

DIAGNOSIS TEST FOR CHOLESTEROL

  1. SALKOWSKI’S TEST: A little cholesterol is dissolved in 2 ml of cholesterol. An equal amount of concentrated h2so4 is added to it. Shake gently. Upper layer of cholesterol turns red and H2SO4 acid assumes yellow colors with green fluorescence
  2. LIBERMANN BORCHARD REACTION: A crystal of cholesterol is dissolved in 2 ml of cholesterol in a dry test tube. 10 ml of cholesterol anhydride and 2 drops of concentrated H2SO4 are added. Mixed well. A red rose color develops which quickly changes through blue to green.