Atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis is a disease in which fatty deposits cause the arteries to become narrower, increasing blood pressure and eventually obstructing blood flow. The heart muscles become starved for oxygen, which triggers a tight, crushing chest pain on exertion, known as angina. Prolonged oxygen starvation kills off heart muscle cells, triggering a heart attack.
According to the American Heart Association: Atherosclerosis comes from the Greek words athero (meaning gruel or paste) and sclerosis (hardness). In atherosclerosis, deposits of cholesterol, cellular waste products, calcium, and other substances build up in the inner lining of an artery, creating a material called plaque. Plaque usually affects large and medium-sized arteries. Plaques can grow large enough to significantly reduce the blood's flow through an artery, but most of the damage occurs when the plaques become fragile and rupture. After a rupture, blood clots form that can block blood flow or break off and travel to another part of the body. If a clot blocks a blood vessel that feeds the heart, it causes a heart attack. If it blocks a blood vessel that feeds the brain, it causes a stroke. And if blood supply to the arms or legs is reduced, it can cause difficulty walking and eventually lead to gangrene.
Sensible eating is the key to maintaining a healthy heart and circulation.
Recommended nutrients:
According to the American Heart Association: Atherosclerosis comes from the Greek words athero (meaning gruel or paste) and sclerosis (hardness). In atherosclerosis, deposits of cholesterol, cellular waste products, calcium, and other substances build up in the inner lining of an artery, creating a material called plaque. Plaque usually affects large and medium-sized arteries. Plaques can grow large enough to significantly reduce the blood's flow through an artery, but most of the damage occurs when the plaques become fragile and rupture. After a rupture, blood clots form that can block blood flow or break off and travel to another part of the body. If a clot blocks a blood vessel that feeds the heart, it causes a heart attack. If it blocks a blood vessel that feeds the brain, it causes a stroke. And if blood supply to the arms or legs is reduced, it can cause difficulty walking and eventually lead to gangrene.
Sensible eating is the key to maintaining a healthy heart and circulation.
Recommended nutrients:
- Arnica
- Artichoke
- Bear's garlic
- Black currant
- Chervil
- European mistletoe
- Garlic
- Hawthorn
- Hedge garlic
- Nutmeg
- Olive
- Onion
- Pansy
- Rue
- Shave grass
- Shepherd's purse
- Watercress
- Witch grass
- Vitamin A -- a powereful antioxidant that prevents cholesterol from forming fatty deposits in the arteries
- Vitamin B-3 -- lowers raised blood pressure
- Vitamin B-6 -- helps to reduce high levels of homocysteine, an amino acid that can damage arteries
- Vitamin B-12 -- helps to form red blood cells
- Pantothenic acid -- needed to produce anti-stress hormones
- Folic acid -- reduces high levels of homocysteine
- Choline and inositol-- help to break down fats
- Vitamin C -- has antioxidant qualities
- Vitamin E -- prevents blood clots and is a powerful antioxidant (400 to 500 IU daily)
- Chromium -- reduces cholesterol
- Magnesium -- dilates the arteries (250 to 500 mg daily)
- Selenium -- an antioxidant
- Omega-3 fish oils -- thin the blood
- Essential fatty acids
- Garlic -- reduces high blood pressure
- Arginine: 500 mg, three times daily
- Carnitine: 50 to 500 mg daily
- Taurine: 500 mg, three times daily
- Cayenne
- Coenzyme Q10: 60 mg, one to three times daily
- Dandelion
- Garlic
- Ginseng
- Hawthorne berries
- Soy isoflavonoids: 40 to 60 mg daily
- Oily fish, such as sardines and mackerel
- Fresh fruit and vegetables
- Oats
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Flax seed
- Full-fat dairy foods, fried foods, saturated fats, and red meats, because they contain large amounts of unhealthy, saturated fats
- Spicy foods
- Foods containing salt, which raises blood pressure
- Alcohol
- All stimulants, including caffeine
- Sugar
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