Coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death around the world. It’s a problem that’s deep in the heart of humanity, you might say.
Researchers at the University of New Mexico Cardiology Clinic and the Ayurvedic Institute in Albuquerque, New Mexico, decided to test if a comprehensive Ayurvedic program could improve the health of adults who had a history of heart disease.
This was a pilot study, meaning it only tested a small group of people to see if the results are worth repeating on a larger group of people. Their findings shouted a resounding “Yes!”
Who Participated
Looking for a challenge, the researchers invited adults who had a prior history of a heart attack, coronary heart surgery, or angioplasty. Twenty-two people entered the study, and 19 completed it. The program dramatically improved their health.
The Ayurvedic Treatment
An Ayurvedic physician with over 40 years’ experience oversaw the 90-day program. Patients in the study ate only an Ayurvedic diet, which controlled how many calories were eaten. The patients learned yoga, meditation, and breathing exercises. They also received Ayurvedic herbs.
The Results
After 3 months of treatment, the majority of the patients who took blood pressure medication were able to either reduce their dosage or completely stop it. Wowzas! Measurements showed that the patients’ arteries were working better than at the start of the program. The patients were able to reduce their body mass index (BMI), total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglyceride levels. Needless to say, the results were impressive.
Reference
DuBroff et al. “A Prospective Trial of Ayurveda for Coronary Heart Disease: A Pilot Study.” Alternative Therapies in Health & Medicine. 2015, 21(5):52-62.
