CHOLESTEROL
What is Cholesterol?
Cholesterol is found in every cell of the body and very has important natural body functions. It is manufactured by the body but can also be taken in from food. It is waxy and fat-like in appearance. High cholesterol is a major reason for heart-attack. Our body needs good cholesterol which is HDL and should avoid build up of LDL cholesterol.
Cholesterol has four main functions, without which we could not live
§ Makes up digestive bile acids in the intestine
§ Contributes to the structure of cell walls
§ Enables the body to make certain hormones.
§ Allows the body to produce Vitamin D
How a person builds up high cholesterol
High levels of LDL lead to a build-up of cholesterol in the arteries, whereas HDL carries cholesterol to the liver for removal from the body. There are several reasons for high cholesterol
1. Too much fat in food intake
2. Liver or kidney disease can also lead to buildup cholesterol.
3. Pregnancy and other conditions that increase levels of female hormones
4. Hypo-thyroid
5. Drugs that increase LDL cholesterol
6. Lack of exercise
7. Smoking
How Yoga helps in maintaining Cholesterol levels
Pranayama,asanas and Yoga Mudras are really beneficial for lowering unwanted bad cholesterol but they must be practiced on a regular basis. Yoga improves the blood circulation and oxygen flow around the body, which helps in the removal of toxins and waste.
Best Pranayama and Asanas for reducing bad cholesterol levels
1. Anulom vilom pranayam ( 20-40 times )
2. Kapalbhati pranayam ( 400-700 times )
3. Surya Namaskar ( 10 - 20 times )
4. Naukasana ( 10 - 20 times )
5. Viprit Naukasana ( 10 - 20 times )
Important tips to lower bad cholesterol levels
1. Go for walk
2. You should drink warm water in the morning on an empty stomach.
3. Be positive.
4. Avoid fatty saturated foods such as meats, oil, whole milk, egg yolks, butter, cakes, most biscuits, cream and cheese.
5. Drink Lauki juice daily in the morning. Keep in mind Lauki vegetable should be sweet.
Precautions:
1.Do not pratice any Asan OR Pranayam in which you don’t feel comfortable.
2.Do not over do the exercises if you feel pain in your body.
3.Start exercises mildly and then increase the repetitions as per your capacity.
4.People suffering from Back pain,Slip disc OR chronic disease should only practise Yoga and other exercises under the expert supervision otherwise do not do it.
5.Pregnant women should only practise Yoga and other exercises only under the supervision of an expert otherwise do not practise any exercise by watching videos or website material.