In this article, we will discuss why our arteries get clogged? The warning signs that our body gives, best foods and the 3 most effective ways as mentioned in the Ayurvedic scriptures to unclog the arteries and prevent heart attack.
Why is it important to unclog the arteries?
Consider a road with heavy traffic. How hard it is to move forward. Similar situation happens when arteries get clogged due to cholesterol buildup and the blood has tough time moving forward. This puts you at a risk of heart attack.
How do we know that our arteries are blocked?
Well, a simple lipid profile test is a sure shot way to know the status of your heart health. However, if one is proactive enough, there are certain signs that can indicate high cholesterol. Since cholesterol buildup in the arteries causes inflammtaion, pain in the left side of the chest is sign one should not ignore. Then shortness of breath, the feeling that you can’t catch your breath can also indicate obstructed blood flow through the arteries. Apart from this, tiredness, weak memory, cramps in legs may be a sign of high cholesterol.
Why does cholesterol get buildup in the arteries?
By far, bad food choices is the major cause of bad cholesterol. Its important to know that there are two types of cholesterol, good and bad. Bad cholesterol sticks to artery walls and causes blockage. On the other hand, good cholesterol has essential functions to perform including reducing the bad cholesterol. So, we should aim to increase good cholesterol and decrease bad cholesterol. Red meat is a major source of bad cholesterol. A 2019 study confirmed that people who eat plant based diet have 52% less chances of a heart attack. Another major cause of clogged arteries is the consumption of bad oils. When foods are fried in refined oils or when oils are reused for deep-frying, bad cholesterol builds up. Hydrogenated oils found in packaged foods like cream biscuits, commercial peanut butters, margarine, mayonnaise and cheese have trans fats that increase bad cholesterol. Packaged foods consisting of refined sugar and maida spike the insulin that increases cholesterol production. Apart from this, being overweight, having a sedentary lifestyle, smoking and binge drinking puts one at the risk of high cholesterol.
How to Cleanse our Arteries?
So how can we reduce this cholesterol build up and cleanse our arteries? Statin drugs are often prescribed for the same. Although, the problem with statin tablets is that the cholesterol remains in control as long as you are consuming them. More importantly, they are known to have side effects like liver damage, impotency and muscle weakness. Why risk your health when arteries can be cleansed naturally. Ayurvedic scriptures talk at length about the various herbs that help reduce cholesterol. Out of so many, I have selected 3 ways which are easy, practical and effective. First is Garlic. Although, not recommended as daily food but can do wonders if used as medicine.
Unsurprisingly, more than 25 studies have confirmed that having just one clove of raw garlic daily significantly reduces cholesterol. Raw garlic contains vitamins C, B6, manganese and selenium, but it’s the bioactive compound called allicin, a type of antioxidant, that is responsible for lowering the bad cholesterol and reduce blood pressure. Needless to say, garlic is available in almost every Indian kitchen. For best results, have 1 clove daily with water 1 hour before breakfast. Easy on pocket, efficacious, garlic is a natural remedy to unblock the arteries. Second option is Arjun bark. Arjun ki chaal is probably the most effective herb for heart, so much so that it is often termed as cardiovascular herb.
Having strong antioxidants, anti inflammatory and blood thinning properties, it not just reduces the level of bad cholesterol and triglycerides but also increases good cholesterol. In a study when arjun bark powder was consumed for 1 month, it reduced triglycerides by almost 18%, bad cholesterol by 16% and increased good cholesterol by 10%. Overall, an amazing tonic for cleansing the arteries. You can boil a teaspoon of powder boiled in milk or water, filter it and then sweeten it with honey or jaggery powder. Have it post breakfast and in evening. If Arjun tea is not your cup of tea, Arjun bark is available in the form of tablet and syrup as well. Both can be consumed post meals.
Third is Medohar guggul. Meda means fat tissue and ‘har’ means to eradicate. As its name suggests, this guggul based ayurvedic classical formulation is proven to reduce bad cholesterol and triglyceride levels. In a study, when medohar guggul was given with other ayurvedic medicines it showed mind boggling results reducing bad cholesterol and triglyceride levels by a whopping 30%. To get the maximum benefit, it is recommended to chew 2 tablets of medohar guggul with lukewarm water twice a day, preferably after food in morning and evening. Each of these 3 remedies are powerful in their own aspect, you can choose as per your convenience. Follow it religiously for 2 months and then get your lipid profile test done again. You won’t be disappointed.
Best food to cleanse the artries
Apart from these home remedies there are certain foods which help cleanse the arteries. Foods with healthy fats like A2 desi cow ghee, nuts, coconut and flaxseeds help eliminate bad cholesterol in the body. Bottle gourd and the other members of gourd family are highly effective in cleansing the arteries. Fibre rich foods like seasonal fruits and whole grains especially oats help cut cholesterol out from the body. Interestingly, when a group of men and women were given just 4 brazil nuts to eat, cholesterol reduced by 20 units in just 9 hours. You can easily get them online.
Apart from food, 10 minutes of kapalbhati pranayama can melt that stubborn plaque in your arteries. If we quickly recap, chest pain, shortness of breath and cramps in legs are warning signs that you might have high cholesterol. Lipid profile test is a sure shot way to find out. Regular consumption of red meat, refined oil, reusing oils, packaged foods are the major causes of blockage of arteries.
To naturally cleanse the arteries, you can have a clove of garlic with water 1 hour before breakfast. You can include arjun bark in the form of tea, tablet or syrup post breakfast. Or you can opt for medohar guggul tablets twice a day post food. Healthy fats, bottle gourd family, high fibre grains and brazil nuts are recommended to reduce bad cholesterol. Your heart takes care of you 24×7. So, its wise we take good care of it. Have no doubt, following the above your arteries will renew itself and you will feel lighter and energetic. All the products mentioned in the video can be easily bought offline, although for your convenience.
