Atherosclerosis
is sometimes referred to as “hardening of the arteries.” It is the end result
of a process of fatty infiltration and later calcification of the walls of the
arteries (which simply means that fatty deposits called plaques build up in the
walls of the arteries and become hard). This process is well-known for its
silent role in heart attacks and strokes. There are usually very few signs of
this process occurring, and it’s only gradually suspected when an individual
gets a high blood cholesterol reading from a blood test; even that can only be
suspected. The process of atherosclerosis can start in childhood so it is
always a good time to prevent it.
The major risk
factors are high cholesterol levels and high blood pressure. An improper diet
is a major cause of atherosclerosis. Saturated fats (found mostly in animal
fats), deep-fried food, too much meat and too little fibre, low fruit and
vegetable intake will have serious consequences. Coffee and caffeine drinks and
alcohol are high on the danger list. A diet high in sweets, fast foods and
refined foods will lead to atherosclerosis. Homogenised milk is responsible as
well, since fat particles in the milk are more likely to cause plaques to form
in the arteries. Tobacco is another substance that hinders circulation and is
hard on the arteries. Lack of exercise increases the risk of developing
atherosclerosis. A high-stress lifestyle leads to high blood pressure and
increases the risk of cardiovascular accidents like heart attacks and strokes.
It must be said that cardiovascular disease is the single most important cause
of death in the Western world. In 1900, only 1 in 7 people died of
cardiovascular disease, and only 1 in 30 people died of cancer. Today 45% of
deaths are due to cardiovascular disease while cancer accounts for 25% of
deaths. What has changed so much? Diet and lifestyle, I believe, are among the
major factors involved. For effective prevention of both of these diseases, our
diet must be high in fruit and vegetables, fish and dietary fibre. Simply
reducing the intake of fats and cholesterol is inadequate. The amount of
dietary cholesterol does not necessarily correspond with the level of
cholesterol in the blood, and it is not the amount of fat we eat but rather the
types of fat we eat and the way we metabolise them that are important.
Saturated fatty
acids found in meat and animal products are two main culprits in the build up
of plaques and the clogging of arteries. Animal proteins raise cholesterol
levels, while vegetable proteins lower them. Equally harmful are processed,
trans-fatty, hydrogenated fats like margarine and shortening and the
heat-damaged fats of deep-fried foods. They interfere with the two essential
fatty acids, Omega 3 and Omega 6 (“essential” means they have to be added to
our diet as we can’t make these oils ourselves).
These essential
oils, Omega 3 and Omega 6, are found in unrefined, cold-pressed nut and seed
oils and are very important to the prevention of fatty degeneration (which leads
to the build up of fatty deposits in our arteries). They lower the level of
blood cholesterol, inhibit platelet aggregation (which causes blood clots to
form leading to heart attacks and strokes) and are therefore essential weapons
in the fight against atherosclerosis. The best source of both essential oils is
unrefined, cold-pressed, flax- seed oil.
The fatty acids
in flaxseed oil are converted in our bodies into EPA, which is also found in
certain fish oils. EPA is present in cold-water fish like salmon, mackerel and
herring. These oils are powerful weapons against platelet aggregation. Taking
as little as 20ml (two tablespoons) of flaxseed oil a day in only two weeks
doubles blood levels of EPA, resulting in a marked decrease in platelet aggregation
and therefore reduces the formation of atherosclerosis.
Next week I’ll
again look at atherosclerosis and methods of ensuring that this number one
killer in the Western world can be avoided.
David Foley
MNIMH, MRCHM
Medical Herbalist
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