Atherosclerosis

Description

Atherosclerosis is a condition characterised by deposits (plaques), within the walls of the artery. Although any artery may be affected - the aorta, the coronary and cerebral vascular systems are most frequently involved. The tissue area is deprived of vital oxygen and nutrient supply. If the artery involved supplies the heart, the result is a heart attack (myocardial infarction). If the artery supplies the brain, the result is a Stroke (cerebral vascular accident). These plaques consist largely of lipids (mainly cholesterol), connective tissue, and smooth muscle cells shed from the artery wall.

Due to the nature of this disease, it is usually not diagnosed until there is an interruption in the normal flow of blood. As the plaques increase in size over a period of years, they narrow the channel, progressively compromising blood flow. Complications due to atherosclerosis are responsible for more deaths in the UK than any other condition. Major risk factors for the disease include Smoking, Obesity, Stress and a lack of physical activity. Therefore, making the relevant lifestyle changes can markedly reduce the chances of atherosclerosis developing or at least delay its progression.

Back to Top

Herbs

Garlic (10)
Hawthorn (11)

Back to Top

Nutritional Supplements

Calcium (1)
Evening Primrose Oil (2)
Fish Oil (3,4)
Magnesium (5)
Selenium (6)
Vitamin A
Beta Carotene (7)
B Complex
Vitamin C (8,9)
Vitamin E (8)

Back to Top

References

1. McCarron D, et al. Dietary Calcium and blood pressure: Modifying factors in specific populations. Am J Clin Nutr 1991; 54:215S-19S.
2. Horrobin DF, Manku MS. How do polyunsaturated fatty acids lower plasma cholesterol levels? Lipids 1983;558-62.
3. Harris WS. N-3 fatty acids and serum lipoproteins: human studies. Am J Clin Nutr 65(Suppl.): 1645S-1654S, 1997.
4. Dyerberg J. N-3 fatty acids and coronary artery disease: potentials and problems. Omega-3, Lipoproteins Atherosclerosis 27: 251-258, 1996.
5. Moore T. The role of dietary electrolytes in Hypertension. J Am Coll Nutr 1989; 8:Suppl S:68S-80S.
6. Shamberger RJ, Willis CE. Epidemiological studies on Selenium and heart disease. Fed Proc 1976;35:578 [abstract #2061].
7. Kohlmeier L and Hastings SB. Epidemiologic evidence of a role of Carotenoids in cardiovascular disease prevention. Am J Clin Nutr 62(Suppl.): 1370S-1376S, 1995.
8. Losonczy KG, Harris TB, and Havlik RJ. Vitamin E and Vitamin C supplement use and risk of all-cause and Coronary Heart Disease mortality in older persons: the established populations for epidemiologic studies of the elderly. Am J Clin Nutr 64: 190-196, 1996.
9. Ness AR. Vitamin C and cardiovascular disease. Nutr Rep 15(3): 1997.
10. Efendi JL, et al. The effect of the aged Garlic extract, "kyolic," on the development of experimental atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis 132(1): 37-42, 1997.
11. Mavers VWH, Hensel H. Changes in local myocardial blood flow following oral administration to a Crataegus extract to non-anesthetized dogs. Arzneim Forsch 1974;24:783-85.