Diet Treatment for High Blood Cholesterol

To reduce the risk of heart disease, it is essential to lower the level of LDL and increase the level of HDL.



This can be achieved by improving the diet and changing the life style. Diet is the most important factor. As a first step foods rich in cholesterol and saturated fats which lead to increase in LDL level should be reduced to the minimum. Cholesterol-rich foods are eggs organ meats and most cheese. Butter bacon beef whole milk virtually all foods of animal origin as well as two vegetable oils namely coconut and palm are high in saturated fats and these should be replaced by polyunsaturated fats such as corn safflower soyabean and sesame oils which tend to lower the level of LDL. There are monosaturated fats such as olive and peanut oils which have more or less neutral effect on the LDL level.

The American Heart Association recommends that men should restrict themselves to 300 mg. Of cholesterol a day and women to 275 mg It also prescribes that fat should not make up more than 30 percent of the diet and not more than one-third of this should be saturated. The Association however urges somewhat strict regimen for those who already have elevated levels of cholesterol.

Diet for High Blood Cholesterol

The amount of fibre in the diet also influences the cholesterol levels and LDL cholesterol can be lowered by king diets rich in fibres.



The most significant sources of dietary fibre are unprocessed wheat bran whole cereals such as wheat rice barley rye legumes such as potato carrot beet and turnips fruits like mango and guava and leafy vegetables such as cabbage lady's finger lettuce and celery. Oat bran is especially beneficial in lowering LDL cholesterol.

Lecithin, also a farry food substance and the most abundant of the phsopholipida is beneficial in case of increase in cholesterol level. It has the ability to break up cholesterol into small particles, which can be easily handled by the system. With sufficient intake of lecithin cholesterol cannot build up against the walls of the arteries and veins. It also increases the production of bile acids made from cholesterol thereby reducing its amount in the blood. Vegetable oils whole 'grain cereals soyabeans and unpasturised milk are rich sources of lecithin. The cells of the body are also capable of synthesizing it as needed, if several of the B vitamins are present.

Diets high in vitamin B6, cholin and inositol supplied by wheat germ, yeast, or B vitamins extracted from bean have been particularly effective in reducing blood cholesterol. Sometimes vitamin E elevates blood lecithin and reduces cholesterol, presumably by preventing the essential fatty acids from being destroyed by oxygen.

Persons with high blood cholesterol level should drink at least 8 to 10 glasses of water every day as copious drinking of water stimulates the excretory activity of the skin and kidneys. This is turn facilitates elimination of excessive cholesterol from the system. Regular drinking of corriander (coriander) water also helps lower blood cholesterol as it is a good diuretic and stimulates the kidneys. It is prepared by boiling dry seeds of coriander and straining the decoction after cooling.

Measures for High Blood Cholesterol

Regular exercise also plays an important role in lowering LDL cholesterol and in raising the level of protective HDL. It also promotes circulation and helps maintain the blood flow to every part of the body. Jogging or brisk walking, swimming, bicycling and playing badminton are excellent forms of exercise.
Yogasanas are highly beneficial as they help Increase perspiratory activity and stimulate sebaceous glands to effectively secrete accumulated or excess cholesterol from the muscular tissue. Asanas like ardhamatsyaendrasana, shalabhasana, padmasana and vajrasana are especially useful in lowering blood cholesterol by increasing systemic activity.
Hydrotherapy can be successfully employed In reducing excess cholesterol. Cold hipbaths for 10 minutes, taken twice every day, have proved beneficial. Steam baths are also helpful except in patients suffering from hypertension and other circulatory disorders. Mudpacks, applied over the abdomen improve digestion and assimilation. They improve the functioning of the liver and other digestive organs and activate kidneys and the intestines to promote better excretion.

TREATMENT CHART FOR HIGH BLOOD CHOLESTEROL

A-DIET

I. Fast on raw juices for 3 days. During this period, take a glass of fruit or vegetable juice at two-hourly intervals from 8 a.m. To 8 p.m. And use warm water enema daily.

II . All-fruit diet for further 3 days, with three meals a day at five-hourly intervals.

III. Thereafter, the following diet may be adopted:-

1. Upon arising: A decoction of coriander seeds. This decoction is prepared by boiling the dry seeds and straining it after cooling.

2. Breakfast: Fresh fruits, a handful of seeds, especially sunflower seeds and skimmed milk.

3. Lunch: Steamed vegetables, whole wheat wheat tortilla or brown rice and a glass of buttermilk.

4.



Mid-afternoon: A glass of carrot or orange juice.

5. Dinner: Salad of raw vegetables, green gram sprouts and vegetable soup.

AVOID: Flesh foods, eggs, cheese, butter, whole milk, coconut and palm oils, sugar, white flour, tea, coffee, condiments, pickle, refined and processed foods and fried foods.

Specially Beneficial: Soyabeans, sunflower and safflower oils, garlic and fibre-rich-foods.

B - OTHER MEASURES

1. Exercises, specially brisk walking, swimming and bicycling. Yoga asanas like pavanmuktasana, uttan¬padasana, padmasana, vajrasana, ardhmatsyaendra¬sana, shalabhasana and shavasana. 2. Cold hip baths daily for 10 minutes.

3. Steam bath once a week .

4. Mud packs over the abdomen for 15 to 20 minutes daily.