When you are diagnosed with high cholesterol level, the first thing that your doctor will suggest is to check your diet. There are mainly two causes behind increase in cholesterol level in blood – diet and heredity. Though when medicine is added to the diet, it has positive results, it is better to try and reduce your cholesterol level naturally.

Reduce Cholesterol Naturally

There are some simple changes that you need to bring in your lifestyle and eating habits. There is one more reason why you should opt to lower your cholesterol level naturally. The side effects of the medicines meant to lower cholesterol have devastating side effects on health.

• Make Changes in Diet – Add fiber, reduce your fat intake and add fresh fruits and vegetables in your daily diet. Whole grains and beans are very helpful as it binds the cholesterol and flushes it off your body.

• Exercise – Make a routine and exercise at least 30 minutes daily. This will help you decrease your bad cholesterol (LDL) and increase your good cholesterol (HDL).

• Eat Good Fat – Cut animal fat from dairy and red meat. The fish oil with omega 3 helps reduce cholesterol, improves your heart and even lowers blood pressure.

• Fruits and Vegetables – Fresh fruits and vegetables do wonders on overall health. You get natural and raw fiber that helps extract cholesterol and helps improve your heart. The phytonutrient antioxidants in colourful fruits and vegetables are extremely good and helpful here.

• Natural Supplements – Switch to natural supplements like fish oil with omega 3, whole food supplements, garlic and B complex.

• Drink Water and Reduce Caffeine and Alcohol – Cut your alcohol and caffeine intake. Drink as much water as you can and it should be at least 8 – 10 glasses a day.

• Avoid Smoking – Try to get rid of smoking as fast as you can. Also do not take tobacco in any form.

Side Effects of Medicines to Reduce Cholesterol

• Permanent abnormalities and serious lever damages

• Muscle disease, breakdown and extreme pain. Excessive weakness and problem in walking

• Irritability, hostility and other negative personality changes.

• Sexual dysfunction and problems while performing

• Constipation, headaches, nausea, diarrhea, sleeping problems and fever

• Vital nutrients get destroyed that are necessary for heart and brain health

Benefits of Yoga and Pranayama in Reducing Cholesterol

Since maintaining an ideal weight is very important for a person with increased cholesterol level, yoga and pranayama helps a lot to do this. Yoga helps you have an overall health benefit, rejuvenating your mind, body and soul. Pranayama is breathing exercises and as the intake of oxygen increases, the cells in the body get activated. This eventually helps reduce cholesterol and blood pressure and increases the life and health of your heart too.

Yoga and Pranayama helps reduce the stress level and relax and tone the muscles also. The breathing techniques help regulate the energy level of the person and meditations help in calming down and giving peace of mind. Practicing yoga regularly helps in removing toxins and waste from your body.

The most useful paranayamas and yoga asanas for reducing cholesterol are surya namaskar, anulom vilom, Bhastrika and Kapala Bhati. When yoga, meditation and pranayama are done regularly, they prove to be a perfect combination of reducing cholesterol as well as improving your overall health.