A study on aloe vera for CHD prevention, authored by Dr. OP Agarwal and his colleagues, was published in the August 1985 issue of the Angiology journal. A total of 5,000 patients with established CHD and who had chest pains were studied over five years.
Aloe vera and husk fiber were added to the diet in one group, which later showed a marked reduction in total serum cholesterol, serum triglycerides, fasting and postprandial (after eating) blood sugar level. These effects were more prominent in diabetics. A significant improvement in ‘good’ cholesterol was also noted.
The patients showed a reduction in the frequency of anginal attacks and the investigators reported that drugs like verapamil, nifedipine, beta-blockers and nitrates were gradually reduced.
The exact mechanism of the two substances is not known, but the authors said it appeared that they act through their high fiber content. The authors said there was no untoward side effect and all 5,000 patients were still alive at the end of the study.