The Health Total remedy for managing cholesterol

Health Total’s approach to cholesterol starts with the detoxification of the liver and purification of the blood through Ayurvedic herbs and food supplements. These help balance out LDL (bad cholesterol) and HDL (good cholesterol) levels. Here’s what our cholesterol management plan includes:

1. Food plan
2. Herbal plan
3. Mild exercise

Food Plan

At Health Total our team of expert nutritionists and doctors prepare a customized low cholesterol diet plan for each individual based on their specific dietary and medical requirements. We also encourage the intake of the following cholesterol lowering foods:

• Fiber
• Nuts
• Soybeans
• Phytosterols
• Omega 3 fatty acids

Fiber-rich foods

Our food plan includes high fiber foods, especially plant foods that contain dietary fiber. The soluble fiber found in these foods such are particularly effective in lowering total cholesterol, as well as and LDL cholesterol levels. They include

• Vegetables & fruits
• Citrus fruits
• Legumes
• Husk
• Unrefined grains
• Oat bran
• Barley
• Psyllium seeds
• Flax seed meal
• Apples
• Lentils
• Beans

Nuts

We try and replace foods that are high in saturated fats with nuts, such as almonds and walnuts since they are a good source of fiber and also help lower bad cholesterol levels.

Soybeans

We include soybeans or soy protein in place of other proteins such as red meat, which is known to raise bad cholesterol. Soy foods also prevent coronary heart disease by lowering LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. The types of cholesterol-lowering soy foods include:

• Tofu
• Soya granules
• Soy milk
• Soy yogurt
• Soya nuggets
• Soy nuts

Phytosterols

Phytosterols are also known as plant sterol or stanol esters. They are elements found in small quantities in foods such as:

• Whole grains
• Vegetables
• Fruits
• Vegetable oils

We include vegetable juices and green tea in our diet plans since they decrease LDL cholesterol.

Omega-3 fatty acids

Consuming foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids may help reduce chances of heart disease and lower triglycerides. Omega-3 fatty acids decrease the rate at which the liver produces triglycerides. They also have an anti-inflammatory effect on the body and help decrease the growth of plaque in the arteries and aid in thinning blood. Good Omega-3 fatty acids food options include:

• Salmon
• Mackerel
• Herring
• Tuna
• Sardines
• Flaxseeds & flaxseed oil
• Walnuts
• Fish oil capsules
• Rice bran oil

Thus, consumption of the above foods helps reduce bad cholesterol levels and promotes the production of good cholesterol. Also, here is a list of our yummy and healthy low cholesterol-friendly recipes.

• Veggie wrap
• Masala pumpkin
• Lasuni methi
• Low fat curd dip
• Mint and coriander chutney
• Tomato dip/ tomato spread
• Tomato chutney
• Olive oil salad dressing
• Salad dressing
• Crunchy salad

Herbal therapy

According to Ayurveda, cholesterol lipids/fat tissues is the ‘meda dhatu’, which is one of the seven dhatus. The strength of various digestive fires is needed for tissues to be formed properly, including fat tissues. When production of meda dhatu is disturbed, it disrupts the quality and quantity of meda dhatu. Thus, the production of cholesterol becomes imbalanced when meda dhatu is imbalanced.

Even rakta dhatu (blood) plays an important role in balancing cholesterol levels in our body. The liver is the organ responsible for secreting cholesterol into the blood. It is also the place where toxins are screened before they enter the blood. If the liver become overloaded with toxins due to certain mental, physical, and environmental factors its functioning can be impaired.

Hence, detoxification plays a major role in balancing the cholesterol levels in our body. There are many Ayurvedic herbs that help in increasing bile production to ensure that healthy fat tissues (healthy cholesterol) can be processed properly by the liver. A few of the Ayurvedic herbs we use include in our diet plans are:

• Guduchi (Indian Tinospora)
• Guggul
• Indian Sarsaparilla (Hemidesmus Indicus)
• Tumeric
• Trikatu

Each of these herbs help with bile secretion and purify blood and muscle tissue while strengthening all of the dhatus agnis including meda dhatu agni, which is responsible for fat metabolism.

Turmeric

Turmeric supports the liver, purifies the blood, increases bile, and enhances the interaction of plasma and blood. This spice is a great home remedy for reducing high cholesterol levels.

Trikatu

Trikatu, which is a combination of powdered ginger, long pepper and black pepper which help lower bad cholesterol levels quickly

Exercise plan

Moderate physical activity can help raise high-density lipoprotein (HDL). Mild exercise such as a 30-40-minute walk can help lower your fat and cholesterol levels.

This is why we suggest a mild exercise plan, which includes 30-40 minutes of cardiovascular (active) exercise which needs to be performed at least five times a week. This helps regularize the flow of free fatty acids for burning fat and thus reduces bad cholesterol.