Arteriosclerosis

Index of Diseases / Health Conditions ... Medicinal Foods, Herbs, Spices & Household Items

The below provides a general overview on this topic and may not apply to everyone. Any treatment protocol should be discussed with a qualified healthcare practitioner ... Please refer to: Medical & Legal Disclaimer.

Arteriosclerosis is the thickening and hardening of the arteries due to the build-up of calcium deposits on the insides of the artery walls Heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, and ischemia (starvation of the cells due to insufficient circulation) may be the result of arteriosclerosis and atherosclerosis.

Recommended Lifestyle Changes:

The American Heart Association suggests improving nutritional habits, exercise regularly, reduce stress and stop smoking. (For tips to stop smoking, please click here.)

• Nutrition:

Eat foods high in fiber and low in fat and cholesterol. Choose foods high in vitamin E to improve circulation, including dark green leafy vegetables, legumes, seeds, nuts, wheat germ, soybeans and whole grains. Avoid high-cholesterol foods and all foods containing sugar and white flour. Check blood pressure regularly and take control of it, if necessary.

• Beneficial Foods:



• Ginkgo Biloba: Ref.: ScienceDirect: The effect of Ginkgo biloba (EGb 761) on arteriosclerotic nanoplaque formation and size in a long-term clinical trial



• Cod Liver Oil



• Bell Peppers: Peppers also contain vitamin B6 and folic acid, which are important for reducing high levels of homocysteine, a substance produced during the methylation cycle. High homocysteine levels have been shown to cause damage to blood vessels and are associated with a greatly increased risk of heart attack and stroke. In addition to providing the vitamins that convert homocysteine into other beneficial molecules, bell peppers also provide fiber that can help lower high cholesterol levels, another risk factor for heart attack and stroke.



• Beneficial Dietary Supplements
  
  
  • Calcium and Magnesium, in addition to Vitamin D3, maintain muscle tone in the blood vessels. Use chelate forms
  
  
  
  • Coenzyme Q10 improves tissue oxygenation.
  
  
  
  • Essential Fatty Acids reduce blood pressure and lower cholesterol levels.
  
  
  
  • Selenium promotes the action of vitamin E.
  
  
  
  • Omega 3 Fatty Acids decrease the inflammation that leads to heart attack. Found in:
    • Fish (please click here to find the best and the worst fish to eat)
    • Fish Oil Supplements (i.e. Cod Liver Oil - some lemon-flavored cod liver oils are pleasant to take)
    • Flaxseed oil
  
  
  
  • Vitamin C with bioflavonoids reduces free radicals.
  
  
  
  • Germanium lowers cholesterol and improves oxygenation in cells.
  
  
  
  • Citrin inhibits the growth of fats in the body.
  
  
  
  • Ginkgo Biloba improves circulation and increases circulation.
  
  
  
  • Green Tea lowers lipid and cholesterol levels.
  
  
  
  • REFERENCES: Prescription for Nutritional Healing, 3rd Edition, Phyllis Balch, CNC; James F. Balch, M.D.

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