Title: Iranian Medical Expert Highlights Traditional and Lifestyle Approaches to Managing Cholesterol
Tehran – A faculty member of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences has outlined the significant health risks associated with high cholesterol, a common condition in modern societies, which can lead to serious issues such as pancreatitis, heart attacks, and mortality.
According to the report, an imbalance in blood lipids occurs when triglycerides and LDL (bad cholesterol) rise and HDL (good cholesterol) decreases. From the perspective of traditional Iranian medicine, this condition is often attributed to the accumulation of waste materials or harmful humors in the body.
Dr. Elham Parsa, a specialist in traditional medicine and a faculty member at Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, explained that traditional medicine defines digestion in four stages. Disruption or problems at any of these stages—occurring in the stomach, liver, blood vessels, and cells—can lead to the buildup of unhealthy substances and ultimately result in increased blood lipids.
A central tenet of this medical tradition is the emphasis on a healthy lifestyle. Dr. Parsa noted that deviations from such a lifestyle are a primary concern.
Lifestyle Factors and Underlying Causes
Dr. Parsa identified several key lifestyle factors that contribute to high cholesterol, including sleep disorders, a lack of adequate physical activity, poor nutritional hygiene, and the improper expulsion of bodily waste, such as through constipation.
Furthermore, she pointed out that weakness in vital organs like the liver, digestive system, thyroid, brain, and even the uterus can be underlying causes of elevated blood lipids.
Pathways to Control and Improve Health
The expert provided several recommendations for managing and reducing high cholesterol, with a strong focus on holistic well-being.
- Mental and Psychological Serenity: Dr. Parsa stressed that poor mental and psychological conditions can weaken principal organs like the liver and brain, which in turn can be a factor in increasing blood lipids.
- Sleep Regulation: Quality sleep is crucial for improving this condition and is effective for the health of the liver and thyroid. Disruption of the body’s natural sleep rhythm and night-shift work can cause health problems. Optimal sleep begins two hours after sunset, and it is better to wake up at sunrise. Oversleeping can lead to obesity, increased cholesterol, fatty liver, and joint diseases.
- Blood Sugar and Diet Control: Managing blood sugar is a key recommendation for reducing blood lipids. To lower triglycerides, a diet low in starch and fat, while observing overall caloric intake, is advised.
Dietary Recommendations from Traditional Medicine
Dr. Parsa suggested that individuals should avoid foods with a “cold” nature and instead adopt a high-fiber diet that primarily incorporates foods with a “warm” nature.
Foods such as celery, carrots, turnips, onions, marzeh (savory), mint, dill, parsley, and thyme are excellent choices for patients with high cholesterol. Heavy, hard-to-digest foods like macaroni and potatoes are not recommended.
Consuming apples in various forms—as jam, dried, in tea, or as juice—can significantly help improve the condition of these patients. Pomegranate is also highlighted as an exceptional fruit for reducing blood lipids.
Instead of frying, cooking methods such as steaming, boiling, and grilling are preferred. The use of olive oil in cooking is also recommended. Dill, which can be consumed as a fresh herb with meals, is noted as particularly effective in reducing blood lipids. Barley and oats are also cited as beneficial grains for this purpose.
