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Atherosclerosis
If the blockage occurs in the brain, part of the brain may die, paralyzing part or the whole body. This is called a stroke, although stroke can also result from an artery rupture (cerebral hemorrhage). If a blockage occurs in the hands or legs, it can result in extreme pain and may lead to gangrene (local death of body tissue). Another problem that can occur along with atherosclerosis is arteriosclerosis, the hardening of the arteries. At birth, our arteries are elastic, but with age and with our poor choices of food, arteries may lose their elasticity and harden. When this happens, the risk of thrombosis, angina, heart attack and stroke also increase.
Symptoms of Atherosclerosis While we often check our cholesterol level to determine our risk for atherosclerosis, the culprit is really the homocysteine level. Homocysteine is a dangerous amino acid in the blood which is found in normal dietary protein. The homocysteine level in your blood is many times more predictive of atherosclerosis than your cholesterol level. An average homocysteine level is around 10 units but the ideal is below six units. Those with a history of cardiovascular disease often have a level above 15 units.
Causes of Atherosclerosis A few factors may contribute to atherosclerosis¾genetic background, sedentary lifestyle, inability to handle stress, smoking and high blood pressure. But the major determinant of how quickly or how severely your arteries get clogged is your dietary, WHAT you eat. Studies have shown that even if you had been eating recklessly in your earlier days, or even if you have had a heart attack, changing your eating habits NOW can and will prevent future catastrophe and reversing arterial damages that have already occurred. Nature's healing foods can lower your homocysteine level, clean up the arterial deposits and plaques, and affect blood clotting factors.
Diet/Lifestyle Suggestions If you had survived a heart attack, decide TODAY that you will change your diet and lifestyle. Here are a few suggestions to change your future for the better:
There are many more fruits and vegetables that are important and effective in treating atherosclerosis. Below are a mention of just a few. Eat/juice plenty fruits and vegetables, you can't go wrong.
A phytochemical called coumarin in celery has been shown to be effective in lowering blood pressure. Kale is an excellent source of vitamic C that is necessary for strengthening and maintaining the elasticity of the arteries. Juice these greens and add an orange for its extra vitamin C and taste.
Most of these fruits have vitamin C that is important for strengthening and maintaining the elasticity of the arteries. Pineapple, guava, strawberries and capsicum are some of the best sources of coumarin that is highly beneficial in cleaning out the arterial deposits. Capsicum also has folic acid and vitamin B6 that are important in treating atherosclerosis. Juice as many of these fruits and drink regularly, rotating them. Use less pineapple as it is very sweet, or add water to dilute it. Also add spirulina and/or chlorella powder for vitamin B12.
Spinach is another green vegetable that is rich in folic acid and vitamin C. Folic acid helps lower homocysteine level and vitamin C is needed to maintain the elasticity of arteries. Carrot has high-content of vitamin A and beta-carotene that are also essential in treating atherosclerosis. Juice all greens for their nutritious blood cleansing and blood healing virtues.
Watermelon is highly diuretic and cleansing. It contains vitamin C, beta-carotene, anti-oxidant lycopene and other minerals that also help in 'scrubbing' away the arterial deposits. De-seed watermelon so that the seeds don't get clogged in your juicer filter and causing a back-flow. Throw in a couple cloves of garlic or about 2 inches clean ginger for their anti-coagulant or anti-clotting effect in the blood.
Drink pomegranate juice regularly. Recent studies have shown that the anti-oxidant in pomegranate is highly beneficial in preventing hardening of arteries, reducing the risk of arteriosclerosis.
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