Atherosclerosis

By Terence Q Coleman

What is atherosclerosis?

Athersclerosis starts when the lining of the artery (the endothelium) is damaged or irritated in some way. Fatty substances, cholesterol, cellular waste products, calcium and other substances then start to accumulate around the site of injury / irritation, which in turn causes a thickening of the artery wall. This in turn leads to deposition of plague (a fatty substance). Thickening of the wall of a larger artery is called atheroma.

Plaque can build up sufficiently to significantly reduce blood flow through the artery. However, if the plaque becomes fragile and raptures, it causes blood clots (emboil) to develop, which can then block the blood flow or break off and travel to another part of the body.

– Blockage of arteries in the brain (cerebral arteries)

results in a transient ischaemic attack or stroke.

– Blockage of an artery in the heart results in a heart attack

(myocardial infarction)

– Blockage of arteries leading to the legs can cause pain and

difficulty in walking (intermittent claudication)

Certain conditions (risk factors) can increase the individual’s risk of developing atherosclerosis. Such risk factors include:

– Family history of premature cardiovascular disease

– High blood levels of low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)

– Low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C)

– Cigarette smoking and exposure to tobacco smoke

– High blood pressure

– Diabetes mellitus

– Obesity

– Lack of physical exercise.

The main aim of treatment of atherosclerosis is to reduce symptoms and prevent complications. Treatment includes lifestyle changes (dietary changes, stopping smoking, increased physical activity and losing weight).

Vitamin C deficiency could be a root cause for cardiovascular disease, as it raises cholesterol, trigycerides (fats in the blood). By increasing vitamin C intake automatically lowers cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL or LpA level and raises HDLs. If vitamin C does prove to be the common cause of this disease, then it is destined to become the number one treatment for cardiovascular disease.

A combination of two nutrients vitamin C (1,000 mgs) and amino acid lysine (30 mgs) taken daily appears to reverse atherosclerosis according to Pauling and Rath. Vitamin E is considered a highly effective way of reducing high blood pressure (400i.u daily) recommended. Supplementing a combination of these nutrients is more effective long term that drugs designed to lower blood pressure – they deal with the cause of the problem rather than the symptom.

Healing and Health Directory, South Africa. www.healing-health.co.za Owner of a Web design company in South Africa www.hosting-webdesign.co.za

Article Source: EzineArticles.com/?expert=Terence_Q_Coleman