Articles ¬ The Source ¬ Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is the depositing of fatty substances on the arterial walls. It can be formed as a way of protecting the arteries from damage. With this fatty deposit built up, the arteries end up becoming less pliable and more narrow, often decreasing blood supply to various parts of the body. This condition can lead to stroke, angina, high blood pressure, senility, heart attack, impotency, and intermittent claudication. An early warning sign that may appear with this condition is the formation of a vertical crease in the earlobe.

A new test called the PREVU* Skin Sterol Test is now available for measuring the amount of sterols in the skin of your palm which is equivalent to the amount of cholesterol building up in your arteries. This non-invasive and painless test is now available at my office for my patients, but also for the general public through Basic Lab.

In the treatment of atherosclerosis, it's of the utmost importance to reduce cholesterol levels in the body. There is a large amount of information on this topic, which will have to be covered at another time.

Platelet aggregation is partly responsible for the formation of atherosclerosis. To help decrease platelet formation, avoid the saturated fats and transfats from meat, dairy products and fried foods, whenever possible. Fish oils, along with being excellent for decreasing cholesterol, are also very efficient at decreasing platelet aggregation. If you are taking a fish oil supplement only use pharmaceutical grade or distilled oils.

Relaxation techniques such as meditation, bio feedback, yoga, tai chi, and hypnosis can all be very helpful in dealing with stress, which in turn decreases the risk of atherosclerosis.

Vitamin E can also decrease platelet aggregation, and can be taken using 400- 800 IU daily, with food. The supplement to be effective must contain all for types of vitamin E, not just the alpha form.

Calcium can be used in the treatment of atherosclerosis through its effect on decreasing cholesterol levels. The mineral Magnesium can be used to help to decrease platelet aggregation. Supplementation of Calcium citrate should be 1000-1200 mg, daily, with magnesium citrate being half the amount of calcium at 500- 600 mg. For most efficient absorption, you should also supplement vitamin D (in the active form as vitamin D3), 400- 800 IU daily.

"Did You Know?"

That your genetic make up only stipulates to which illnesses you are prone. It's your lifestyle and dietary choices that make the decision of whether of not these will be expressed.

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