Yoga for cholesterol control: 8 asanas to manage high cholesterol

If you have high cholesterol, your doctor must have told you to stay away from unhealthy foods. That means you need to have some control when it comes to fried foods, red meat, and desserts. Moving around, doing exercises and doing yoga can also help. A 2014 study published in Sage Journals found yoga to be quite effective in improving LDL (low-density lipoproteins) and HDL (high-density lipoproteins) cholesterol in comparison to not doing any exercise. So how about trying yoga asanas for cholesterol control?

Yoga to control cholesterol

It seems like women have cholesterol issues more than men. In 2008, the global prevalence of high cholesterol among adults was 39 percent (40 percent for females and 37 percent for males), as per the World Health Organisation. High cholesterol levels shouldn’t be taken lightly as they increase the risks of heart disease as well as stroke. According to WHO, it is estimated to cause 2.6 million deaths globally. So, making the right food choices and incorporating some kind of exercises is a must to lower cholesterol level. You can also do yoga for cholesterol control.

Here are some yoga poses that can help you manage cholesterol levels:

1. Tadasana

Stretch your entire body upward while standing with your feet together and your palms facing forward.

This pose helps to improve posture and digestion, indirectly contributing to cholesterol control, says Dr Mickey Mehta, a global leading holistic health guru and corporate life coach.

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2. Trikonasana

Stand with your feet wide apart and raise your arm while extending one hand to touch your toes on the other side.

This pose improves digestion, stretches the sides of the body, and may lower cholesterol levels.

3. Paschimottanasana

Sit with your legs out in front of you, bend forward to touch your toes while maintaining a straight spine.

This Asana extends the hamstrings and could stimulate the digestive system, which could help to control cholesterol, the expert tells Health Shots.

4. Bhujangasana

Lie on your stomach with your palms up close to your chest and raise your upper body off the floor.

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The cobra pose helps to strengthen the spine and may enhance blood flow.
That’s important because with high cholesterol, you can end up with fatty deposits in your blood vessels. After some time, these deposits grow and make it difficult for blood to flow through your arteries smoothly, causing health problems.

5. Ardha Matsyendrasana

Sit with one leg bent and the other leg crossed over it, twist your upper body to the side.

This Asana can improve digestion and enhance the functioning of the liver and pancreas, potentially impacting cholesterol levels, says the expert.

6. Sarvangasana

While supporting your lower back with your hands, elevate your legs and body while lying on your back.

This inversion position can activate the thyroid, which is involved in controlling the metabolism of cholesterol.

7. Setu Bandhasana

Lie on your back with your legs bent and lift your hips and chest off the floor.

Bridge posture helps to build strength of your back and may enhance blood circulation.

8. Viparita Karani

To do this asana, sit with your legs up against a wall and your torso at a 90-degree angle.

Stress, which has been related to high cholesterol, can be lessened with the use of this restorative pose, says Dr Mehta.

As you try out these yoga asanas for cholesterol control, don’t forget to try walking, cycling or swimming as well. It is also important to follow your regular medication recommended by your doctor to keep your cholesterol levels in check.