Wednesday, 11 January 2017

Yoga Keeps Cholesterol in Check



Excess cholesterol in the blood is a dangerous condition which can even cause coronary heart disease. Therefore, it is essential to keep cholesterol in check. Yoga for cholesterol can help in keeping bad cholesterol levels in check.



Research on Yoga for Cholesterol

In 2005, the Buffalo Center for Integrated Medicine in the US reported that relaxation methods like yoga can help to reduce bad cholesterol levels in the blood. There is a direct link between stress and bad cholesterol. Regular yoga practice reduces stress, which in turn lowers cholesterol levels.

Yoga for Cholesterol Control

Health experts say it is better to adopt natural methods to control cholesterol rather than take medications which may have side effects. Therefore, eat a nutritious diet which is low in cholesterol and fat. Your yoga practice should also include pranayama breathing techniques. For cholesterol control, the ideal yoga methods are Kapalbhati pranayama, Shavasana (Corpse pose) and Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutation).

How Yoga Works

Practicing yoga poses can help to reduce bad cholesterol levels in the blood. As mentioned earlier, stress is a major cause of high cholesterol levels. Yoga poses, pranayama breathing techniques and meditation can alleviate stress, produce feel-good emotions and significantly lower cholesterol.

Kapalbhati Pranayama for Cholesterol Control

    - Sit in a comfortable pose and focus on   your breathing.
   - Inhale normally but exhale with force, contracting your stomach muscles.
    - You may even make a sound while you exhale with force, this is normal.
    - Do not worry about inhalation, which will happen by itself.
    - Perform about 100 forceful Kapalbhati exhalations every day in the morning.

Yoga and pranayama are easy to learn and can be practiced almost anywhere without the need for special equipment. Even in the office, you can do Kapalbhati if you have a spare minute or two. But, ensure a gap of at least three hours after a meal before you do yoga and pranayama. Yoga for cholesterol is thus a natural, easy and effective way to regulate your cholesterol levels and maintain good health.

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