Natural Remedies for Preventing Atherosclerosis

             Natural remedies can help prevent atherosclerosis. Although in severe cases of atherosclerosis natural remedies may not be of much effect, the best way to approach to any disease is prevention. Exercise and a healthy diet is a good way to start in the prevention of atherosclerosis. I previously discussed these topics in one of my previous posts about exercise and diets, so feel free to browse around the site.   In this particular post, I will focus on the natural remedies that help prevent atherosclerosis.

Green Tea

            Green tea is known to provide numerous health benefits. Among the health benefits green tea provide includes reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases.  Green tea contain antioxidants that help fight against atherosclerosis by improving vascular health.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

            Omega-3 fatty acids are known to reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and increased levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. Although omega-3 fatty acids are available as supplements containing docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA, they are easily acquired naturally from food. Among the top sources of omega-3 fatty acids include seeds (i.e. flaxseed) and fish (i.e. salmon).

The following link contains the Top 100 Sources of Omega-3 Fatty Acids.

Hawthorn

           Although hawthorn fruits is popular in the Asian community, researchers have found that hawthorn fruits may have potential medicinal purposes related to atherosclerosis. In the journal American Journal of Chinese Medicine, an article titled, "A study of the comparative effects of hawthorn fruit compound and simvastatin on lowering blood lipid levels", showed that there is potential benefits associated with the consumption of the hawthorn fruit. The hawthorn fruit helps reduce fat and cholesterol, the major components in plaque buildup in atherosclerosis. In other studies, the hawthorn fruit even helped with blood pressure and chronic heart failure. Some subjects even reported having an increases tolerance for exercise and higher threshold for fatigue.

 

Here is the picture of the Hawthorn fruit and its dried medicinal appearance:

Pomegranate Juice

            Pomegranate juice is both tasty and healthy. In the American Journal of Cardiology, Micheal Sumner and et. al. published an article on the "Effects of Pomegranate Juice Consumption on Myocardial Perfusion in Patients With Coronary Heart Disease". These researchers found that pomegranate juice helps reduce stress-induced myocardial ischemia in patients with coronary heart disease. Pomegranate also have one of the highest levels of antioxidants compare to any other fruit. Antioxidants help the body protect against free radicals that oxidize cells and molecules in the body, including the oxidation of LDL cholesterol that lead to plaque buildup.   

Flavonoids

            Flavonoids help reduce atherogenesis by helping with decreasing blood pressure, inhibiting LDL oxidation, and improving dyslipidemia. Flavonoids can be found throughout vegetables and fruits. But be aware that only natural fruits and vegetables contain these health benefits, not artificial oils made to smell, look, and taste like fruits and vegetables. Some of the most popular food containing flavonoids are soy, cocoa, grapes, and black or green tea.

Flavonoid

A picture containing some foods containing flavonoids:

Although these are just a list of some of the potential natural remedies of atherosclerosis, the general idea is to avoid animal products, with the exception to fish, and focus on vegetables or fruits.

References:

1.      http://www.comilac.com.tr/uploads/pdf/12PomGT.pdf

2.      http://www.ajconline.org/article/S0002-9149(05)01027-1/fulltext

3.      Wang QM, Gong QY, Yan JJ, Zhu J, Tang JJ, Wang MW, et al. Association between green tea intake and coronary artery disease in a Chinese population. Circ J 2010; 74: 294–300.

4.      Graham HN. Green tea composition, consumption, and polyphenol chemistry. Prev Med 1992; 21: 334–350.

5.      Hirano R, Momiyama Y, Takahashi R, Taniguchi H, Kondo K, Nakamura H, et al. Comparison of green tea intake in Japanese patients with and without angiographic coronary artery disease.

6.      _{Guillot N, Caillet E, Laville M, Calzada C, Lagarde M, Véricel E. "Increasing intakes of the long-chain omega-3 docosahexaenoic acid: effects on platelet functions and redox status in healthy men." FASEB J. 2009 23(9):2909-16.}

7.      http://nutritiondata.self.com/foods-000140000000000000000.html

8.      _{Xu H, Xu HE, Ryan D. "A study of the comparative effects of hawthorn fruit compound and simvastatin on lowering blood lipid levels." Am J Chin Med. 2009;37(5):903-8.}