Cholesterol and lipid peroxides
Blood levels of lipid peroxide (oxidised fat which leads to hardening of the arteries, cancer and ageing) were 15% lower in 18 individuals who had practiced TM for an average of 16 years compared to 23 controls of similar age who did not practise any formal stress management technique but had similar rates of smoking, fat and vitamin intake. Psychosomatic Medicine 1998; 60:38-41.
MA herbal compounds (MA 4 & 5) given to 10 patients already, on treatment for high cholesterol, rendered them resistant to oxidation of LDL cholesterol after 12-18 weeks (oxidised LDL cholesterol is thought to initiate atherosclerosis). American Journal of Medical Sciences 1997: 314 (5): 303-310.
A randomized controlled double blind study of 61 patients with high cholesterol (31 in experimental group and 30 in the control group) found that the Ayurvedic herb Commiphora Mukul (Guggul) decreased cholesterol by 11.7%, LDL cholesterol by 12.5%, triglycerides by 12% and lipid peroxides by 33.3% over a 24 week period. There was no change in HDL cholesterol. Cardiovascular Drugs and Therapy 1994; 8: 659-664.
30 healthy individuals followed 3 months after a course of Vedic Physiological Purification Program were found to have 6% increase in HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol), 4% reduction in lipid peroxides and 80% increase in vasoactive intestinal peptide (a potent dilator of the coronary arteries). Journal of Research & Education in Indian Medicine 1993; 12(4):2-13.
Cholesterol was reduced by 9% in 12 volunteers (<=50 years of age) with high cholesterol over an 11 month period after learning TM compared to a control group, without any change in diet. Journal of Human Stress 1979; 5: 24-27.