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Arteriosclerosis &
Artheriosclerosis |
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Health
Concerns Articles |
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Arteriosclerosis &
Atherosclerosis
Articles by a Naturopathic
Doctor ( N.D.) |
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THE HEART OF THE
MATTER |
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Exercise is one of
the best things you
can do to keep your
heart healthy - in
combination with a
good diet and the
right supplements. |
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Hardening and narrowing of
the Arteries are
preventable, but even if you
already have them there are
still things you can do... |
Heart disease is one of the
leading causes of death in
North America.
Arteriosclerosis and
atherosclerosis occur when
deposits build up on the
inside of the arteries.
This leads to a decrease in
the flexibility and
elasticity of the walls.
Deposits can be made of
calcium (arteriosclerosis)
or fatty substances like
cholesterol
(atherosclerosis). |
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Decreased circulation leads
to high blood pressure as
the body struggles to
maintain enough blood flow
to its tissues. Pieces of
the deposits can break off
or the turbulent flow of
blood can cause clots to
form. If the pieces or
clots lodge in smaller
vessels this leads to heart
attack or stroke.
Lifestyle factors such as
smoking, obesity, improper
diet, stress and lack of
exercise are bigger
indicators of your heart
disease risk than family
history. Therefore it is
encouraging to note that
adopting a healthier
lifestyle and using natural
therapies can maintain a
healthy vascular system.
Conventional treatment of
high cholesterol with lipid
lowering drugs makes only
small improvements to your
chance of developing heart
disease. Plus these drugs
have many side effects. The
most troublesome is the
increased risk of depression
and suicide amongst
medicated individuals. |
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heart health tips: |
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EXERCISE |
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REDUCE BAD
FAT INTAKE |
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TAKE
ANTIOXIDANTS |
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DON'T DRINK
COFFEE OR
COLA |
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INCREASE
FIBER - FROM
FOOD OR A
SUPPLEMENT |
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DID YOU KNOW?
(HEART HEALTH FACTS) |
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Heart
attacks kill
more people
than drunk
driving,
breast
cancer, &
murders
combined |
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A stroke is
like a heart
attack, but
in the brain |
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Elevated
homocysteine
levels are
as much a
risk factor
as high
cholesterol |
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The drugs also deplete vital
nutrients for heart health
such as coenzyme Q10.
Aspirin or other blood
thinning medication may also
be prescribed to decrease
the risk of developing blood
clots.
Stomach ulcers and
abnormal bleeding are side
effects of some of these
medications. These
medications can interact
with many natural products.
Consult a health
professional before starting
any new therapy.
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Dietary changes for heart
health include maintaining
adequate fiber intake and
lowering the fat and
cholesterol content of your
foods. Drink lots of clear fluids
and eat raw fruits,
vegetables and whole grains.
Include green leafy
vegetables, nuts, seeds,
vegetable protein like
soybeans and unrefined oils
like olive, flax and
sunflower in your daily
diet. Foods to avoid are
any junk foods, fried foods,
processed foods, fast foods,
white flour products, white
sugar products, red meat,
egg yolks, ice cream, salt,
coffee, colas and other
caffeine sources.
Eliminate alcohol, tobacco
and highly spiced foods.
Use diet, exercise and
supplements to maintain a
healthy weight. Stress
reduction techniques such as
deep breathing, yoga or
biofeedback will help to
maintain a healthy stress
level.
The following list of
supplements can be used for
arteriosclerosis and
atherosclerosis.
(CLICK SUPPLEMENT NAME FOR PRODUCTS).
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SUPPLEMENT |
DOSAGE |
THERAPEUTIC
EFFECT |
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Vitamin C with
bioflavinoids |
1000-3000mg daily |
Decreases
Lipoprotein A. It
is a good
antioxidant. |
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Vitamin E with mixed
tocopherols |
400 IU twice daily |
Greatly reduces
heart attack risk.
A good antioxidant.
Do not use if taking
blood-thinning
medications. |
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Niacin or Flush-free
niacin (IHN) |
300 – 500mg daily.
Use IHN form. |
Start slowly if
using niacin.
Regulates all types
of cholesterol and
their precursors.
Niacin causes
harmless skin
flushing. Monitor
liver function. Do
not use time-release
formulas. |
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L-carnitine |
500 mg three times
daily |
Increases heart
strength. Helps fat
be used as fuel for
all cells. Lowers
LDL and raises HDL. |
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Calcium and
magnesium |
Calcium 1500mg at
bedtime, Magnesium
750mg taken at
bedtime. |
Maintains proper
tone in the blood
vessels. Acts as a
buffer in the body. |
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Garlic |
600mg daily or 25mg
of garlic oil daily |
A blood-thinning
agent that lowers
cholesterol. Use in
moderation if taking
blood-thinning
medications. |
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Hawthorn berry |
As directed. Use
standardized version
with 1.8%vitexin. |
Supports the
cardiovascular
system. Lowers
cholesterol. |
Also
beneficial
for
Arteriosclerosis/
atherosclerosis: |
Multivitamins,
vitamin A, beta,
carotene, vitamin B
complex, copper,
coenzyme Q10,
bromelain,
pantethine,
chromium,
chondroitin,
phosphatidyl choline,
evening primrose
oil, selenium,
alfalfa, silica,
Siberian ginseng,
cayenne, guggulipids,
red yeast rice
extract, gingko
biloba and green
tea. |
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For
informational
purposes only.
Please consult your
health care
practitioner before
taking natural
health care
products. Click here
for full disclaimer. |
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All articles
copyright National Nutrition
2001 - 2012. For educational
purposes only. Please note
that while National Nutrition
supports your right to use
natural health care products for
any therapeutic purpose that you
see fit, that the information on
this website should not be
considered as a claim or as a
substitute for medical advice. |
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