Coronary
heart disease (CHD) is the most common form of heart disease out there.
About 12.6 million Americans suffer from coronary artery disease, which
results in heart attacks and about 1.1 million Americans suffer heart
attacks every year, half of which are considered fatal. CHD is the
leading cause of death in Americans. East Indians are at an even higher
risk of getting heart attacks than Americans.
Fortunately,
CHD can be prevented and even controlled. Extensive clinical and
statistical studies have identified several factors that can increase
your risk of CHD. Controlling as many risk factors as possible is the
best way to keep your heart healthy. Some of these risk factors are
under our control and some not. The uncontrollable factors are as
follows: 1) Age: 85% of people who die of heart attacks are 65 or older. 2) Gender: males have a greater risk of dying with heart attack than females. 3) Genetics: A family history of heart problems could increase your chances of getting heart disease even further. The factors that are
controllable are those such as tobacco smoking, high blood pressure,
high lipids, physical inactivity, obesity and diabetes mellitus. One
extremely important and often forgotten factor is STRESS.
Ayurvedic
medicine provides a magnificent solution; time tested and researched
for centuries. Dr. Dean Ornish published many studies showing an actual
reversal of coronary artery disease using Ayurvedic concepts. Although
many Ayurvedic plants have shown to help coronary artery disease,
Arjuna (Teminalia Arjuna) by far seems to be the best plant for
heart health. This tree is commonly found along the greater peninsula
close to a water source. It is the bark of the plant that is used for
medicinal uses. Arjuna extract has shown to be a powerful antioxidant
protecting the heart from oxidation. The
anticoagulant and anti platelet aggregation action keeps the blood
thin, and lowers the bad cholesterol (LDL) while increasing good
cholesterol (HDL). It also has cardioprotective, hypotensive and
anti-inflammatory activities. In many animal model studies,
Arjuna extract has shown to reverse the damage to heart muscle. Its
blood thinning abilities were comparable to those of aspirin and
heparin. It has also been given in bleeding disorders, which means it
has adaptogenic actions. An adaptogen can modify the body’s action
depending upon what is needed. Arjuna has been shown to be beneficial
in patients with CHD in a number of studies. In one study when patients
were given Arjuna extract, the results were comparable to nitroglycerine
in reversing angina and increasing exercise capacity. The numbers of
anginal attacks were reduced and 80% of patients received symptomatic
relief. In a different study, Arjuna extract reversed heart failure
from NYHA VI to NYHA I, and showed significant improvement in ejection
fraction and reduction in the left ventricular muscle size. Patients
who were on diuretics, digoxin and vasodilators continued to show
improvements in their signs and symptoms, NYHA class and quality of
life after Arjuna extract was added to their diets.
In
animal studies Arjuna has shown to reverse plaque formation in the
arteries of the subjects. It has also shown to have liver protective
and mild diuretic actions and above all, no toxicity has been noticed
in the therapeutic doses. The herb has shown to lower blood pressure in
animal models and its actions are considered to be beta-blockers.
Traditionally, it was used to increase wound healing, by increasing
amino acid hydroxyproline which has rapid collagen turnover.
Typical dose of Arjuna is 500 mg of standardized extract. I have used Arjuna Heart™
in the cases of heart palpitations, coronary artery disease,
hypertension, myocardial infarction and even heart failure. Typical
dosage for this preparation is one capsule three times per day. Even
people who are drug regimen can add Arjuna Heart™ to their treatment
protocol.
A
63 year old patient of mine had bypass surgery and his three blood
vessels were bypassed one year ago, developed anginal pain again and
the standard protocol was not helping him. Once he began using Arjuna Heart™
along with his drug regimen, he noticed remarkable improvement in his
exercise capacity and was pain free within 4 weeks. Looking at no
toxicity profile and all the beneficial qualities of Arjuna, every
Indian should be on this preparation to protect their heart from heart
disease. Don’t forget, Indians do have a higher chance of
getting heart attacks. Of course nutrition, exercise and stress
reduction techniques like yoga are an extremely important part of the
puzzle. After all creating health is a personal issue and we need to be
proactive about it.
For
more information about Dr. Virender Sodhi and the Ayurvedic Clinic,
please visit www.ayurvedicscience.com. For the herbs listed above,
please visit www.ayush.comor please call: 1-800-925-1371.
References:
Phytomedicine. 2003; 10(6-7):474-82.
Fitoterapia. 2003 Sep; 74(6):553-8.
Phytother Res 2003 Mar; 17(3):265-8
Indian Heart J 2002 Mar-Apr; 54(2):170-5
Mol Cell Biochem 2001 Aug; 224(1-2):135-42
Phytother Res 2001 Sep; 15(6):519-23
J Ethnopharmacol 2001 May; 75(2-3):197-201
J Assoc Physicians India 2001 Feb; 49:231-5
J Assoc Physicians India 1999 Jul; 47(7):685-9
Altern Med Rev 1999 Dec; 4(6):436-7
Int J Cardiol 1998 Dec 1; 67(2):119-24
Indian J Physiol Pharmacol 1998 Jan; 42(1):101-6
Indian Heart J 1997 Sep-Oct; 49(5):507-10
Int J Cardiol 1995 May; 49(3):191-9
Disclaimer:
This article is purely informative and should not replace the guidance
of your physician. If you suffer from an illness, you should consult a
physician before taking any herbs, vitamins, minerals or enzymes. Even
at the peak of health, it is best to consult a qualified practitioner
before taking any dietary supplement
