Ever felt breathless while jogging in the park? Has it become harder for you to lift heavy things without panting for breath? Chances are you have a high cholesterol level. Although your body needs cholesterol for building healthy cells too much of it has the opposite effect. Your body starts to accumulate fatty deposits in the blood vessels.
Unfortunately, over time these deposits grow which makes it harder for the blood to course through the arteries. Also, if these deposits formed a clot then it increases your risk of a heart attack or stroke. A major reason behind high cholesterol levels is an unhealthy diet. However, this can be taken care of by making yoga for cholesterol a part of your daily schedule.
That said, let us find out what exactly causes high cholesterol in the first place.
Causes of High Cholesterol Levels
Cholesterol is carried by your blood, attached to proteins. Have you heard of lipoproteins? It is a combination of cholesterol and protein.
Keep in mind, there are different types of cholesterol. It depends on what the lipoprotein is carrying.
1. High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL)
The good cholesterol picks out the excess cholesterol and takes it back to the liver.
2. Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL)
Bad cholesterol transports cholesterol particles throughout your body. It builds up in the walls of the arteries which makes them hard and narrow. You should practice yoga for cholesterol daily to get rid of LDL.
Do you know that lipid profiling measures what is known as triglycerides? Triglycerides are a type of fat in your blood. Unfortunately, having a high level of triglycerides increases your risk of heart disease. You can bring under control some factors like inactivity and unhealthy diet under control with a little yoga.
Do you know that high cholesterol levels are also linked to an increased risk of numerous health problems? Read further to know more.
Health Problems Linked to High Cholesterol Levels
Remember, higher cholesterol levels are linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Moreover, high cholesterol is linked to diabetes and high blood pressure. The main reason behind this is the buildup of fatty plaque in the arteries all over your body.
Let us check out some of the health problems that arise as a result of low LDL.
1. Coronary Heart Disease
Coronary heart disease is a life-threatening problem that leads to death from a heart attack. High cholesterol levels can lead to a buildup of plaque in your body’s arteries. Over time, this hardens the arteries. The arteries that provide blood to the heart narrow down in some areas and slow down the blood flow towards the heart muscle.
Moreover, inflammatory cells also reach the plaque area and cause narrowing of that area. Unfortunately, a reduced blood flow leads to chest pain or even a heart attack if the artery is blocked completely.
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2. Peripheral Vascular Disease
The buildup of plaque can lead to problems in your legs and other areas of your heart and brain. You will start to experience cramps in your calves when you walk. However, you can take care of this problem by making yoga for cholesterol a part of your daily routine.
3. High Blood Pressure
High BP has a link to higher cholesterol levels in your body. Cholesterol causes inflammation and releases hormones that constrict or tighten up the blood vessels. This in turn leads to an increase in blood pressure.
You might question –
How Can Yoga Help Me Keep Cholesterol Levels Under Control?
It is clear from above that a high cholesterol level can lead to cardiac health issues. Although doctors advise taking a clean diet, nothing beats a proper exercise schedule.
This is why you should give yoga for cholesterol a proper try.
With that said, given below are three yoga exercises to help you bring cholesterol levels under control.
1. Kapalbhati Pranayama
It is a powerful yogic breathing exercise that rids your body of toxins and increases metabolic activity to reduce excess weight. Kapalbhati Pranayama also improves your digestive system and the functioning of your abdominal organs.
2. Chakrasana
This yoga for cholesterol asana gives your abdominal organs a gentle massage and improves digestion. Chakrasana is quite effective at helping you relieve constipation, improve liver function, and remove excess cholesterol.
3. Sarvangasana
Do you want to boost the functioning of the endocrine system? You should do the Sarvangasana which also stimulates your abdominal organs and improves digestion.
There it is! Your guide to the best yoga for cholesterol asanas to keep low LDL away.
Conclusion
Do you want to stay away from the numerous cardiac health issues? You should include this yoga for cholesterol asanas into your daily routine. These would help you keep the bad cholesterol in check and avoid the life-threatening health problems described above.
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