Nutrients, Herbs, etc for Atherosclerosis

The following are the nutrients, herbs, and other recommendations beneficial to thwart atherosclerosis:

NUTRIENTS

Supplement	Suggested dosage	Comments
Calcium & Magnesium plus Vitamin D3	1500 mg daily, taken at bedtime 750 mg daily, taken at bedtime 400 mg daily	Needed to maintain proper muscle tone in the blood vessels. Use chelate forms. Aids calcium uptake; enhances immune system
Coenzyme Q10	100 mg daily	Improves tissue oxygenation
Essential fatty acids (flaxseed oil, MaxEPA, or omemga-3 oil complex)	As directed on label	Reduces blood pressure, lowers cholesterol levels, and helps to maintain proper elasticity of blood vessels. Be sure to use a product that contains Vitamin E to keep essential fatty acids from being rancid.
Garlic (Kyolic from Wakunaga)	As directed on label	Has a lipid (fat) regulating effect
Multivitamin and mineral complex	As directed on label	All nutrients are needed for protection
Vitamin C (Ester-C with flavonoids	2000 mg daily	Antioxidant that acts as a free radical scavenger

Source: Nutritional Healing by Phyllis Balch

Herbs

The following herbs are useful if you suffer from atherosclerosis: cayenne (capsicum), chickweed, and hawthorn berries

Citrin (an extract of the Garcinia cambogia plant) is an herbal produc that inhibits synthesis of potentially dangerous fats in the body.

Ginkgo biloba has been called “nature’s circulation wonder”. It can improve circulation, increasing oxygen and blood flow in the arms, brain, and heart.

Green tea lowers cholesterol and lipid levels, thus decreasing chances of atherosclerosis. Drink green tea ( we suggest one to four cups a day) or take it in extract form. A recent Japanese study recommends not only green tea but also black tea to lower your rate of lipoprotein oxidation, a chemical reaction that makes fat in the blood more likely deposited in the arteries.

Recommendations:

Eat high fiber foods that are low in fat and cholesterol. Fruits, vegetables, and grains should be your primary foods.

Eat plenty of foods rich in Vitamin E to improve circulation. Good choices include dark, green leafy vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds, soybeans, wheat germ, and whole grains.

Use only pure cold-pressed olive oil or unrefined canola oil (in moderate amounts) as fats in the diet. These may aid in lowering cholesterol. Do not heat these oils.

Drink steam-distilled water only.

Do not eat any candies, chips, fried foods, gravies, high-cholesterol foods, junk foods, pies, processed foods, red meat, or saturated fats.

Avoid egg yolks, ice cream,, salt, and all foods containing white flour and/or sugar. Do not use stimulants such as coffee, colas, and tobacco. Also eliminate alcohol and high-spiced foods.

Maintain a healthy weight for your height. Obesity causes unfavorable changes in serum lipoprotein levels.

Reduce stress and learn techniques to help you handle stress that can not be avoided.

Get regular moderate exercise. A daily walk is good.

Periodically monitor your blood pressure and take steps to lower it as necessary.

DO NOT smoke. Avoid exposure to second hand smoke. Cigarette smoke contains large quantities of free radicals, many of which are known to oxidize low density lipoproteins (LDL, the so-called bad cholesterol), making them more likely to be deposited on the walls of blood vessels. In addition, smoking increases levels of LDL, lowers levels of high density lipoproteins (HDL or good cholesterol), and increases the blood’s tendency to form clots.

On Friday, April 10, see the overview of current clinical practice guidelines for atherosclerosis.