How to Lower Triglycerides in Ayurveda, Nutrition and Herbal Medicine

Aug 15, 2023

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Triglycerides are a type of fat found in the blood that provides energy to the body. While they are essential for normal bodily functions, elevated levels of triglycerides can lead to health complications such as heart disease, obesity, and diabetes. Addressing high triglyceride levels is crucial for maintaining overall well-being. In addition to conventional medical treatments, Ayurveda, an ancient Indian system of medicine, offers valuable insights into balancing triglyceride levels. In this article, we will explore the holistic approach to lowering triglycerides using Ayurveda, nutrition, and herbal medicine.

Understanding Triglycerides:

Before diving into the natural methods of reducing triglycerides, let’s understand what they are and how they affect our health. Triglycerides are a type of lipid derived from the foods we eat, particularly those high in carbohydrates and unhealthy fats. Elevated triglyceride levels can occur due to various factors, including poor diet, sedentary lifestyle, obesity, diabetes, and genetic predisposition.

Ayurveda and Nutrition Approach to Lowering Triglycerides:

Ayurveda, often referred to as the “Science of Life,” focuses on achieving balance in the body, mind, and spirit to promote overall health. According to Ayurvedic principles, imbalances in the doshas (Vata, Pitta, and Kapha) can contribute to high triglyceride levels.

Lowering triglycerides naturally requires a multifaceted approach that includes dietary changes, regular exercise, and lifestyle modifications. While it’s important to consult with a healthcare professional for personalized advice, here are some Ayurvedic recommendations and general tips to help lower triglycerides:

Mindful Eating: Ayurveda emphasizes the importance of mindful eating practices. Eat in a calm environment, chew food thoroughly, and avoid overeating. Opt for freshly cooked meals that are warm, nourishing, and well-balanced.
Ayurvedic Diet: Incorporate foods that pacify the Pitta and Kapha doshas. Include whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats like ghee and coconut oil. Minimize the consumption of processed foods, sugary drinks, and deep-fried items.
Follow a healthy diet: Limit your intake of added sugars, refined carbohydrates, and unhealthy fats. Increase consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins (such as fish and poultry), and healthy fats (like avocado, nuts, and olive oil).
Include omega-3 fatty acids: Omega-3 fatty acids found in fatty fish (e.g., salmon, sardines) and supplements can help improve triglyceride levels. Consult your doctor before taking any supplements.
Engage in regular physical activity: Exercise regularly to help lower triglyceride levels. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity each week. Exercise also helps reduce stress, which is a significant contributor to elevated triglyceride levels. Consult a healthcare professional before starting any exercise routine.
Achieve and maintain a healthy weight: Losing excess weight can help reduce triglycerides. Consult a healthcare professional for guidance on healthy weight loss strategies.
Stress Management: Chronic stress can raise triglyceride levels. Ayurveda recommends various stress-reducing techniques like meditation, pranayama (breathing exercises), and self-care practices to manage stress effectively.
Avoid smoking and manage stress: Smoking and stress can increase triglyceride levels. Quit smoking and adopt stress-management techniques, such as meditation, deep breathing exercises, or engaging in hobbies.
Herbal Remedies: Ayurvedic herbs such as guggul, turmeric, fenugreek, and ginger have shown potential in reducing triglyceride levels. Consult an Ayurvedic practitioner to determine the appropriate herbs and dosage for your specific needs.
Reduce alcohol intake: Alcohol can significantly increase triglyceride levels, so it’s best to limit or avoid alcohol consumption.
Choose fiber-rich foods: Opt for fiber-rich foods like legumes, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Soluble fiber can help lower triglycerides.
Limit trans fats: Avoid or limit foods containing trans fats, such as fried and processed foods, commercial baked goods, and margarine.
Get sufficient sleep: Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night. Lack of sleep can impact lipid levels. Remember, it’s crucial to consult with a healthcare professional before making any significant dietary or lifestyle changes to tailor the recommendations to your specific needs and medical history.

Herbs for Lowering Triglycerides:

There are several herbs that can potentially help reduce triglyceride levels. However, it is important to note that herbs are not a substitute for medical treatment and should be used in conjunction with a healthy lifestyle and any prescribed medications.

Here are a few herbs that may have beneficial effects on triglyceride levels:

Garlic: Garlic has been shown to have lipid-lowering effects, including reducing triglyceride levels. It is believed to work by inhibiting enzymes involved in the synthesis of triglycerides.
Ginger: Ginger has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that may help lower triglyceride levels. It may also help regulate lipid metabolism.
Turmeric: Curcumin, the active compound in turmeric, has been found to have lipid-lowering effects. It can help reduce triglyceride levels by decreasing the production of triglycerides in the liver.
Cinnamon: Cinnamon has been shown to improve lipid profile by reducing triglyceride and cholesterol levels. It can also help improve insulin sensitivity, which may indirectly benefit triglyceride levels.
Fenugreek: Fenugreek seeds have been traditionally used to manage blood lipid levels. They contain saponins and fiber, which can help reduce triglyceride levels.
Holy Basil: Holy basil, or Tulsi, has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that can support healthy triglyceride levels.
Indian Gooseberry: Indian gooseberry, or Amla, is rich in vitamin C and antioxidants. It may help reduce triglycerides and support overall heart health.

It is important to consult with a healthcare professional before incorporating any new herbs into your diet, especially if you have any underlying health conditions or are taking medications that may interact with these herbs. Additionally, incorporating a healthy diet, regular exercise, and proper stress management techniques are also important for managing triglyceride levels.

Conclusion:

High triglyceride levels pose a significant risk to our health, but by embracing Ayurveda, nutrition, and herbal medicine, we can naturally lower triglycerides and improve overall well-being. Remember that it’s essential to consult with qualified practitioners to personalize treatments and monitor progress effectively. By adopting these holistic approaches, we can take charge of our health and embark on a journey towards balanced lipid profiles and optimal wellness.

Pollen as Super food – A Herbal Perspective

Nutrition & Superfoods

Dec 15, 2022

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Pollen as superfood:

Pollen is collected by bees and other insects. Pollen has many health benefits because it is a rich source of protein, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Some of the health benefits of pollen include: improved heart health, relief from allergies, relief from anxiety and depression, and improved mental clarity.

Pollen is also sometimes consumed by humans as a natural supplement or superfood, although it is not a necessary part of the human diet.

There are several potential health benefits associated with consuming pollen. Some people claim that it can boost energy levels, improve immune function, and support digestion. Pollen is also a source of nutrients such as proteins, vitamins, and minerals. It is also high in antioxidants, which can help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals.

There are many types of pollen, and each has its own unique health benefits. There are bee pollen, pine pollen, lotus pollen, date pollen, grass pollen, wildflower pollen, tree pollen and few others.

1. Bee pollen:

Bee pollen is the pollen of the honeybee. It’s the type of pollen that’s most well-known to us because bees collect it to feed to their young. Bee pollen is a good source of protein, fiber, iron, and other nutrients. One tablespoon of bee pollen contains about 20 grams of protein. It’s also a source of antioxidants and phytonutrients.

Bee pollen is considered a “Super Food” and is the only food that contains over 160 nutrients including all known vitamins. Clinical trials have proven that bee pollen is a safe and powerful food supplement for people of all ages. However, care should be taken by people who are allergic to honey or bees, or bee stings and they may also react to bee pollen.

It is one of the most nourishing pollens known and contains almost every nutrient required for human health. It contains and rich supply of B-complex vitamins, vitamins A, C and E, carotenoids, amino acids, folic acid, flavonoids, phytosterols, fatty acids, and enzymes.

Fresh bee pollen and honey are collected during summertime, which allows the bees time to refill their hives in the fall and spring. Note that the color, shape, size and weight of bee pollen grains differs according to the type of plant from which it is collected. The shape can be circular, long cylindrical, triangular or spiny, the color ranges from bright yellow, orange to black.

Some known Benefits of Bee Pollen

In some people Bee Pollen can assist in getting rid of allergies.
Bee pollen can help boosting the immune system.
Fresh bee pollen contains quercetin antioxidant) and omega-6 fatty acids, such as arachidonic acid which can in turn reduce inflammation and swelling.
High antioxidant present in bee pollen can protect from free radical damage hence assist in prevention of chronic diseases.
Athletes around the world use it to help muscle growth and build stamina hence bee pollen can enhance performance and promote speedy recovery after a tough workout.
Improves digestion and metabolism.
Supports heart health by lowering cholesterol and reducing hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis).
A 2015 study showed that bee pollen can reduce hot flashes, night sweats, and other symptoms associated with menopause.
Another study (2016) showed an ointment made from bee pollen was helpful in promoting healing from burns.
Animal studies have found that bee pollen may be an effective treatment against hepatitis and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

How to Eat: Add bee pollen to your diet by simply eating it raw with a spoon, adding a few teaspoons to super charge a protein shake or smoothie, use as a topping over yogurt or cereal, adding to cooling homemade granola to maintain heat sensitive nutrients, sprinkle granules over a salad, spread our creamed honey or raw natural honey on toast and sprinkle with our fresh bee pollen.

Caution: If pregnant, breast feeding or on medication, please consult a health care professional before use. Do not exceed stated dose.

Storage: Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.

Bee pollen should be used alongside an active lifestyle and a balanced diet, Food supplements are not intended to replace food or medicine.

2. Pine pollen:

Pine pollen is the pollen of the pine tree. It’s the type of pollen that’s most often found on the forest floor. It is major allergens and can cause respiratory problems in people who are sensitive to it.

Pine pollen is composed of more than 20 different amino acids, 14 vitamins (including vitamin D3) and 24 minerals (including iron, phosphorus, sulphur, selenium, potassium, calcium, zinc, manganese, and copper) alongside 18 natural enzymes & plant hormones.

• Has Anti-aging properties
• Known to boosts testosterone levels
• Has impact on mood, energy, stamina and endurance
• Supports and strengthens immune health
• Balanced hormone levels (men+women)
• Tightens and improves skin health
• Cardiovascular health
• Has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

3. Lotus pollen:

Lotus pollen is the pollen of the lotus plant. It’s the type of pollen that’s most often found in water. Lotus pollen is made up of microscopic pollens that are released by the lotus flower. The lotus flower is a water plant that grows in marshy areas. The lotus flower has a long stem that reaches up to six feet tall. The lotus flower is pollinated by bees.

Lotus flower is very important in both Ayurvedic and Chinese Medicine. It is rich in antioxidant and has medicinal properties such as, antipyretic, antiviral, anti cancer and hepato protective/ It is used in treating diabetes, pulmonary fibrosis; restenosis, atherosclerosis;and in the treatment for erectile dysfunction.

• This pollen has Anti-inflammatory Activity.
• Like the other pollen it too has anti-aging properties.
• It is also notes for its anti-arrhythmia support
• Supports weight loss
• Boosts the immune system

4. Date pollen:

Date pollen is a type of pollen that falls from the stamen of a flower, and is composed of the male reproductive cells. Date pollen is collected by beekeepers and used in the production of honey. Date pollen can also be used as a natural food additive.

Date pollen is often used in baking recipes. Date pollen as traditional remedy has been used for its antidiabetic, antihypertensive, anti-hemolytic, and hypercholesterolemic activities.

Date pollen has been used to combat infertility in folk medicine. It contains amino acids, fatty acids, flavonoids, saponins, and sterols as well as B Vitamins, phosphorus, calcium, iron, vitamin C, E and beta carotene. It also contains Isotron hormone that activates the female ovaries.

Some known benefits are:
• Positive impact on the nervous system and brain function.
• Contains anti-aging properties.
• Used in treatment of infertility in both men and women. Also useful during pregnancy and breast feeding. The calcium and iron help with that.
• Reduces the development of benign and malignant tumors.
• Known to lower blood pressure and cholesterol if combined with high fiber and low salt diet.
• Improves gastro intestinal health.

5. Grass pollen:

Grass pollen is a type of pollen that is produced by a number of different plants. Grass pollen can be a nuisance for people who suffer from allergies, as it can cause sneezing, a runny nose, and itchy eyes. Additionally, grass pollen can also cause respiratory problems in people who are sensitive to it.

6. Wild Flower pollen:

Wild flower pollen is a type of pollen that comes from flowers that are not normally grown in areas near the Earth’s equator. Pollen from these flowers is often considered to be more exotic, and therefore more desirable, because it contains more of the chemicals that make flowers attractive to pollinators.

7. Tree pollen:

Tree pollen is a type of pollen that is produced by a variety of trees. Tree pollen can be a nuisance to people because it can cause allergies or asthma in some people. Tree pollen can also cause other health problems if it gets into the air.

8. Weed pollen:

Weed pollen is made up of tiny particles that are composed of a variety of different chemicals. These chemicals can include THC, CBD, etc. Weed pollen is a common constituent of the air we breathe. In fact, it’s estimated that weed pollen makes up approximately 20% of the air we breathe!

Caution About Pollen: Store tightly closed in a cool, dry place/ Protect from sunlight and moisture Store in a glass container and keep out of reach of children.

Ask your doctor if you are on prescription drugs for contraindication. If you are trying to conceive or pregnant or lactating please make an informed decision after taking to your doctor.

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