Study on lowering blood lipid levels with Ayurveda

Elevated blood lipid levels (hyperlipidemia) often lead to coronary heart disease; available medications usually have numerous harmful side effects. Since the herbal preparation Arogyavardhini vati is successfully used in Ayurveda for liver disorders, the study was designed to investigate its effect on hyperlipidemia using tests on laboratory rats. In comparison, one group was treated with fenofibrate.

Test results showed a significant reduction in chosterol, triglycerides, LDL levels and C-reactive protein (CRP) and a significant increase in HDL in rats treated with Arogyarvardhini vati . Decreased levels of malondialdehyde (a marker of oxidative stress) and increased levels of glutathione (which defuses free radicals) were seen with both Arogyarvardhini vati and fenofibrate treatment ; the Atherogenic Index (AI, an indicator of unhealthy blood cholesterol levels) was also reduced.

The study has shown that Ayurvedicmedicines can be usedto treat elevated blood lipid levels, as they are able to reduce both oxidative stress and blood lipid levels .