Eat These 10 Foods and You Will Have Clean Arteries

The arteries are blood vessels which have the responsibility to transfer the oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the rest of the body. An artery which is normal is elastic, flexible and strong. On the contrary, atherosclerosis is a grave condition which is manifested by clogging of the arteries. It is one of the main causes of cardiovascular disease like heart attacks, strokes and peripheral vascular disease.

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death in America, being responsible for around 600,000 deaths on a yearly basis.

How to Tell If You Have Clogged Arteries

The symptoms vary depending on the type of the arteries which are affected.

• Carotid arteries- carotid artery disease is when there are clogged arteries in your brain. The carotid arteries are narrowed or blocked by plaque and signs of stroke could appear. Some of the symptoms are sudden weakness, breathing problems, loss of consciousness, severe headaches, speech issues, blurry vision, trouble walking, paralysis, unexplained falls, dizziness and loss of balance or coordination.
• Coronary arteries- coronary heart disease occurs when the heart arteries get clogged. When this is the case, plaque narrows or blocks the coronary arteries and the heart muscle cannot get enough blood. Once this happens, angina or chest pain happens. It is manifested as pressure in the chest and it can also be felt in the back, shoulders, arms, neck or jaw. Additionally, it can also be felt as indigestion. Angina is also often caused by emotional stress. Shortness of breath and heartbeat problems are also some of the symptoms.
• Renal arteries- clogged arteries in your kidneys cause chronic kidney disease. With time, kidney function is slowly impaired by chronic kidney disease. There aren’t any symptoms at the beginning, yet as the condition becomes worse it can cause nausea, loss of appetite, concentration problems, tiredness, swelling in the hands or feet, and itchiness or numbness. High blood pressure and kidney failure are other symptoms.
• Peripheral arteries- when there is plaque accumulation in the pelvis, legs and arms it causes peripheral arterial disease. These are called peripheral arteries and in case they get narrowed or blocked, numbness or pain can be felt. On certain occasions, severe infections can occur.

The Causes behind Clogged Arteries

Narrowing, thickening and hardening of the arteries is usually referred as atherosclerosis. There is a thin layer of endothelial cells which are responsible for keeping the inside of the arteries toned and smooth. Because of this process, the blood is able to keep flowing.

Nevertheless, a number of factors can cause damage to the endothelial cells, like increased homocysteine levels, platelet cells, and free radicals from antioxidant deficiency and toxins. Moreover, homocysteine and vitamin C deficiency can also cause damage to the arteries because of a substance known as a ground substance. This substance is located between the cells and it aids in keeping the epithelial cell barrier.

Plaque builds up when a number of substances cannot migrate out of the atherosclerosis lesion. Namely, LDL cholesterol, cellular waste, toxic metals, calcium and fat are the substances. To add, fibrin is a material which is involved in the clotting of the blood.

What causes clogged arteries is not exactly known, and evidence suggest that atherosclerosis is a slow and complex condition which can begin in childhood and can develop with age. A number of factors can cause damage to the inner layers of the arteries, including high blood pressure, smoking, type 2 diabetes, type 1 diabetes and insulin resistance.

Other factors which contribute are being overweight, lack of exercise, heavy metal exposure, type-A personality, elevated triglycerides, and chronic inflammation from arthritis, lupus, and infections. Atherosclerosis can also be caused by fats in the blood and high blood pressure. To add, sometimes genetics can also be a factor.

Furthermore, it can be caused by oxidative stress through depletion of antioxidants like vitamin C. Imbalances and nutrient deficiencies can also cause atherosclerosis.  They can include potassium, magnesium, antioxidants, fiber, and methyl donators. Some of the dietary factors are diet rich in sugar, damaged fats and processes starches.

Unclog Your Arteries with These 10 Natural Foods

1. Turmeric

This is a popular spice which is used in Ayurvedic and Indian cooking. Curcumin is an active compound in curcumin and it is known for its cardio protective properties. It is believed that turmeric extract reduces the LDL cholesterol and the plaque accumulation in the arteries.

According to a study from 2011, turmeric suppresses early atherosclerotic lesions and reduces cholesterol more effectively than lovastatin, a drug for reducing cholesterol.

2. Garlic

Garlic is also thought to be one of the best foods for unclogging the arteries. According to studies, garlic can reduce blood pressure, prevent heart disease and slow down atherosclerosis. According to a study from 1999, garlic prevents plaque accumulation in the arteries.

According to a review which was brought out in the journal Nutrition in 1997, garlic positively affects atherosclerosis. Another study from 1999 discovered that garlic lowers the risk if heart attack and stroke more than 50%.

3. Ginger

Ginger has potent anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects and it contains heart-protective compounds gingerols and likeshogaols. These compounds prevent plaque accumulation effectively and reduce the total cholesterol thus unclogging the arteries.

4. Cayenne pepper

Cayenne pepper contains capsaicin, which reduces the LDL cholesterol and reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke, thus improving blood circulation. According to a study published in 2009, capsaicin is able to prevent vascular and pulmonary complications related with HAART drugs.

5. Lemon

Adding some lemon juice in your water in the morning is good for the health and a healthy habit. It is known that lemon lowers the cholesterol levels and it also prevents oxidative damage. Moreover, lemons are an abundant source of the powerful antioxidant vitamin C, which is known to reduce total cholesterol, strengthen the arteries, increases the HDL cholesterol, reduces inflammation and inhibits platelet aggregation.

6. Cinnamon

Cinnamon is able to lower various factors related with heart disease and atherosclerosis. According to a study from 2003. Cinnamon reduces the risk of developing a cardiovascular disease.

7. Ground flaxseed

Ground flaxseed is a portent food when it comes to unclogging the arteries. Moreover, it is an abundant source of an omega-3 acid, known as alpha-linolenic acide, and it can reduce blood pressure and inflammation, thus preventing clogging of the arteries.

According to researchers, taking flaxseed supplements in moderation is a potent treatment for lowering hypercholesterolemic atherosclerosis.

8. Fermented cabbage

According to a study from 2007, kimchi (hot peppers and fermented cabbage) contains an active compound known as 3-94-hydroxy- 3,5- dimethoxyphenyl, which helps in the prevention of the development of aortic atherosclerosis. Moreover, fermented cabbage also degrades toxic chemicals, chlorpyrifor and bisphenol A being one of them.

9. Sesame seed

Sesame seed is able to unclog the artery which are blocked. According to evidence, it can prevent the development of atherosclerosis. According to a study from 2006, sesame oil can effectively prevent formation of atherosclerosis lesion, triglycerides, blood cholesterol and LDL cholesterol in animal studies on mice.

10. Pomegranate juice

Pomegranate juice is high in punicic acid and is high in antioxidants and they reduce the plaque accumulation and prevent atherosclerosis. Moreover, there are critical nutrients such as selenium and magnesium in pomegranate juice.

More Natural Remedies for Clogged Arteries

Foods which are great for unclogging the arteries are avocado, asparagus, chia seeds, broccoli, coconut oil and fenugreek seeds. To add, there are a number of dietary supplements which can also help, including choline, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, folic acid, and also antioxidant such as vitamin E, vitamin C, zeaxanthin, lutein, pine bark extract and grape seed extract. Furthermore, trimerhylglycine, chromium, copper, resveratrol, selenium and magnesium are also crucial.

To conclude, doing regular exercise is just as important as having the proper diet.

Source: theheartysoul.com