Music helps reducing cholesterol

Music's reducing effects on both blood pressure and cholesterol are produced by its ability to relax and expand blood vessels. The diameter of blood vessels in the upper arms of the Maryland subjects expanded by an average of 26% after listening to music they enjoyed. The resulting improvement in blood flow not only has the obvious effect of reducing blood pressure but also helps prevent the buildup of clots and harmful cholesterol.

In addition to simple mental and physical relaxation, this beneficial dilation of blood vessels indicates that listening to music releases a powerful substance into the bloodstream: nitric oxide. Nitric oxide is a gas produced by our cells that not only helps to regulate blood flow and blood chemistry but also aids the immune system in fighting infection and tumors and is an important neurotransmitter in the brain.

Another therapeutic practice implicated in the production of nitric oxide is slow breathing, with which music can be combined to even greater effect. Participants in the Italian study practiced slow, controlled breathing while listening to music. This type of breathing - often mistakenly referred to as "exercise" - is deeply relaxing but, again, the less obvious but more powerful element at work may be an invisible gas.

Nitric oxide is a potent substance deeply involved in cardiac health and other crucial physiological processes. For these reasons, it is the object of wide-ranging research by scientists and pharmaceutical companies. But natural practices like listening to music and slow breathing that stimulate the production of nitric oxide along with mental and physical relaxation may show even greater promise. Michael Miller, the director of the music study at Maryland University states, "We were looking for cheaper, non-pharmacological aids to help us improve our patients' heart health, and we think this is the prescription."


/Squidoo/