With heart disease, or its major risk factors (high blood pressure, cholesterol, obesity, stress or diabetes), affecting a significant proportion of the population, including even children, the Maharishi Ayurveda prevention-based approach is worth taking seriously.

Many factors contribute to heart health, and Maharishi Ayurveda offers a holistic approach, which includes not only diet, but the mind and emotions as well. Here are seven key steps you can take to maintain heart health:

Reduce mental stress

Eat heart-healthy foods

Cleanse impurities, and this includes improving your digestion

Don't skimp on sleep

Exercise every day

Take herbal formulas for your heart

Culture healthy emotions

 

1. Reduce mental stress

High stress levels are linked to the incidence of heart disease, and a recent study published by the American Medical Association showed a reduction in “metabolic syndrome” in a group of subjects practising the Transcendental Meditation techniques when compared to a control group. Metabolic syndrome is a precursor to both heart disease and diabetes and includes symptoms such as high blood pressure, abdominal obesity and cholesterol and high blood sugar.

2. Eat heart-healthy foods

Eating whole foods  - such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains – can go a long way to helping your heart. Avoiding processed foods is another measure – foods containing hydrogenated vegetable oil, trans fats and other unhealthy ingredients.

Start the day with a cooked apple, include soaked, blanched almonds in your diet, and flavour your vegetables with heart-healthy spices such as black pepper and turmeric.

To make your digestion strong, use Herbal Digest (MA927).

Foods especially nourishing for the heart include sweet juicy fruits in general, sweet lassi, asparagus and leafy greens cooked with Healthy Heart Spice Mix.

3. Cleanse impurities

When digestion is weak it creates a toxin called ama. When these toxins start to accumulate, damaging cholesterol and plaque build up in the arteries. For this reason it’s best to cleanse each season. Detox (MA1010) is an ideal way to gently remove toxins.

4. Make sure you get enough sleep

Lack of sleep can contribute to hypertension, obesity and depression, as shown by recent studies. Ayurveda recommends bed by 10 pm for a good quality of sleep. Even better, try to be in bed by 9 pm. If you often wake up in the night and can’t fall back asleep, drink a cup of warm milk with Rose Petal Preserve. To support natural sleep patterns we recommend Blissful Sleep Basic tablets (MA1778) with Blissful Sleep Vata tablets (MA1683) to help you settle at bedtime, or Blissful Sleep Pitta tablets (1684) to help uninterrupted sleep.

5. Exercise every day

According to Maharishi Ayurveda, mild daily exercise is more effective than occasional strenuous exercise. Daily exercise, such as a brisk half-hour walk, not only pumps up circulation and build the strength of the health, it boosts immunity, improves mental outlook, and dissolves stress.

6. Take herbal formulas to support the heart

Maharishi Amrit Kalash (MAK4 and MAK5) neutralises all known free radicals and helps to keep arteries clear and healthy. It was shown in clinical trials to help maintain cholesterol levels and boost antioxidants. Cardio Support tablets (MA1816) helps maintain balance when facing a pressured lifestyle, dietary toxins and emotional stress. It helps metabolise fat, supporting the cardiac muscle, cleansing the arteries and balancing cholesterol.

7. Culture healthy emotions

When emotional stress builds over time, it can cause adrenaline and other toxic hormones to be produced. These damage the fine fabrics of the heart. For a healthy heart, avoid getting involved in confrontational interactions. Take Blissful Joy tablets (MA1402) to help balance the emotions and reduce anger. Most of all, take time to enjoy.

Total Heart Health

How to Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease with the Maharishi Vedic Approach to Health
By Robert H. Schneider, M.D., and Jeremy Z. Fields, Ph.D.

This book explains everything the reader should know about high blood pressure and heart disease. Also presents a unique source of knowledge, a system of preventive medicine and health care called Maharishi Vedic Approach to Health.

The book explains that everything inside and outside us is based on an inner intelligence of nature. This level of the "inner healer" has been discovered both by ancient Vedic science and by modern science in physics and physiology. When any part of one's physiology, such as blood pressure, gets disconnected from the network of inner intelligence, which can happen as a result of negative influences from the body, mind, or environment, imbalances and illness such as heart disease can result. Paperback, 262 pages.

 

Further information

For further information about the products mentioned above and on how to order them see How to Order or call 01695 51015 and for information about the Maharishi Ayurveda Health Centre see www.MaharishiAyurveda.co.uk or call 01695 51008.

DISCLAIMER: The information in this document is presented for the sole purpose of imparting education on Maharishi Ayurveda and neither the information nor the products are intended to diagnose, treat, mitigate, cure or prevent any disease. If you have a medical condition, or are pregnant or lactating, please consult a health professional and it is recommended that you speak with your physician before making significant changes to your diet or routine.