Cholesterol, Hypertension and Homeopathy
It is a known fact that high cholesterol level and high blood pressure go hand in hand. High cholesterol levels increase the chance to have high blood pressure. Both the conditions need medical intervention. Certain lifestyle modifications along with homoeopathic medications help to manage and maintain the health.
Cholesterols and their measurement
Cholesterol is a kind of fat in the blood. Body makes its own cholesterol. It also comes from the foods like meat, potato chips, cookies, and eggs. Cholesterol builds up inside of the blood vessels and heart, which has its bad consequence. In many cases, initially hypercholesterolemia is usually a symptomatic. But physicians by clinical examination suspect it by finding flabby cervical neck with fat depositions, etc. It can be detected with a blood test for lipids. Physicians normally measure cholesterol by a few laboratory tests, which are combinedly called as lipid profile.
Total cholesterol is a measure of the total amount of cholesterol in blood, including low density cholesterol lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. LDL cholesterol or “bad,” cholesterol is the main source of cholesterol build up and blockages in the arteries. HDL cholesterol or “good,” cholesterol helps remove cholesterol from the arteries.
Triglycerides are a type of fat found in the blood. A high level of triglycerides in the blood may raise the risk of coronary heart disease. Frequent re-use of even good vegetable oils may produce trans fats, which are harmful mainly by increasing bad cholesterol level.
Lifestyle and other causes of increased cholesterol levels
Scientific reports have indicated lifestyle as a major factor for increased cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Lifestyle and food habits have changed drastically in metros and urban areas in the last few decades. Quantity of high fibre diet like fruits, vegetables, sprouts, etc. has gone down. On the other side quantity of fried foods, fats and carbohydrate rich food have increased. Physical activity has reduced and sedentariness has increased. These result in increasing number of people having hypercholesterolemia and high blood pressure. It may increase the risk of heart diseases. Apart from lifestyle problems, genetic factors also play a major role in many cases.
As per reports, it is found commonly among the family members, perhaps due to similar food habits and genetic factors. People with obesity or those who eat more of fatty foods have the tendency to get higher cholesterol levels in the blood. Diseases such as diabetes, certain genetic diseases, and thyroid disorders may increase the cholesterol levels. Sometimes hyperlipidaemia is associated with metabolic syndrome (metabolic syndrome is the presence of three or more of the following risk factors: excess waist circumference, high blood pressure, elevated triglycerides, low high-density lipoprotein (HDL)- cholesterol levels, and high fasting glucose levels). Recent reports suggest that stress can also interfere with the level of cholesterol.
Link between cholesterol and hypertension
In a long term study, researchers found a positive association between higher levels of total cholesterol, non- HDL cholesterol and total cholesterol to- HDL cholesterol ratio and an increased risk of hypertension. Those men who had higher levels of HDL cholesterol had a significantly lower risk for developing hypertension than men who had the low levels of HDL cholesterol. When the researchers noticed that men with highest total cholesterol (TC), non-HDL cholesterol, and TC/HDL cholesterol ratio had increased risks of developing hypertension of 23%, 39%, and 54%, respectively. From an interventional standpoint, those with poor lipid profiles may represent an opportunity to address other risk factors for hypertension and cardiovascular disease.
Men 20-29 years old had steeper regression slopes for blood pressure by total cholesterol level than did women of similar age. In men, the association between blood pressure and total cholesterol level decreased with age, whereas in women, it increased with age. Body mass index modified the relation, whereas smoking, physical activity, and alcohol consumption had little influence on the association.
Triglyceride levels increased with blood pressure, but this relation was weak in lean subjects. HDL cholesterol level correlated positively with blood pressure in population subgroups having high alcohol consumption. In many cases, it is observed that the high cholesterol is related with the activity of the individual.
Exercise and Diet Management for High Cholesterol
Exercise and eating more fruits and vegetable can help. Routine physical activity can lower LDL cholesterol and triglycerides and raise HDL cholesterol level. People gain health benefits from as little as 60 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week. The more active you are, the more you will benefit. As per reports, more than 30% of total daily calories should not be from fat, more than 300mg cholesterol should not be eaten in a day, and more than 1500mg of sodium should not be eaten in a day. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables can increase important cholesterol lowering compounds in your diet. These compounds, called plant stenols (stearyl alcohol etc.), work like soluble fiber. Whole-grain cereals such as oatmeal and oat bran, fruits such as apples, bananas, oranges, pears, and legumes such as kidney beans, lentils, chickpeas, and beans are helpful.
A healthy diet for non-vegetarians may include some types of fishes. They are a good source of omega-3 fatty acids. These acids may help protect the heart from blood clots and inflammation and reduce the risk of heart attack.
Homoeopathy managemant for High Cholesterol*
When it comes to medication, many patients prefer homoeopathy because of its safety profile. There are reportedly known side-effects from conventional medications.
Apart from exercise and diet modification, homoeopathic natural remedies help to reduce cholesterol level. Homeopathy healing is based on patient’s constitution, symptoms, past history, family history, etc.
Consult a qualified homeopath for your healing, self-medication is not advisable!