Clogged Arteries??

I'm 24 yrs old and was wondering what is a way to keep arteries clean? I know prevention, but can you clean them naturally with good health habits after there has been build up? Let me know Thanks! (:

[ed34]

This is a question currently having heavy research. It is believed that some people do lose fat/plaque build up by natural processes in the body but the mechanics of it are not fully understood yet. Chemicals assisting calcium deposits are constantly in use with our skeletal structure, which means there is something to remove plaque. HDL cholesterol should be able to grab exposed fats from arteries as it already removes excess fats from cells. However, I believe the required level of HDL is yet to be established. Maybe in the near future we will be able to have a few days of HDL fed through IV to boost this process temporarily. It has been noticed by some doctors that Statins have reduced plaque levels in some individuals, increasing blood flow.

[mammo]

You start now by eating healthy, keeping your weight down and exercising.  Stay away from fatty, greasy, foods containing trans fat.  Heredity also plays a role in cholesterol.  Statins do improve cholesterol levels, but not sure if they have any affect one existing plaque. I think it just keeps it from getting worse. When you have your cholesterol checked the number they consider to be good or bad can depend on your overall health.  You're young enough to do a lot of "good" for your overall health.  You should have had a baseline cholesterol test at 20, and repeated periodically to determine if you are doing enough to keep it down.  If not, adding statins will help.  But being young start doing everything you can to insure a healthy heart as you age.  Too many of us at 24 thought we didn't have to worry about this until we were "old", but you know better!

[im_mike]

I heard about a lot of people doing a 'detox' in these instances.

Where they go on to do a very water based diet. Full of salad, veg and fruit and obviously pure water. I've heard that it works well, cleans your system out but it has to continue for about a month. Then maintaining a well balanced diet.

I've also been thinking about dieting correctly but do you believe this 'detox' would work as well as simply getting on track with a balanced diet straight away?

[newzor]

http://heartscanblog.blogspot.com/

Dr. William Davis
"Plaque is the stuff of coronary heart disease. It is CONTROLLABLE, it is STOPPABLE, it is REVERSIBLE. But you must be equipped with the right information on diet, nutritional supplements, and hopefully the avoidance of medication. "

[erijon]

It has been shown that an LDL under 70 can actually help reduce plaque build ups in that arteries as long as you also have a healthy HDL over 40. Be careful of supplements as many are not controlled by the FDA and the quality and safety are not monitored. At your age you should be able to make enough changes in your lifestyle to prevent the needs of statins, however if you change your diet to a more heart healthy diet, cut out empty carbs ike breads, pastas and sugars and go on the proper exercise routine for you and still don't get the desired results, I would consider statins as they will lower your lipid profile and lower is always better. Lower choleterol now will be a major advantage as you age. But at 24 these should not be necessary.

Nice job being proactive, good luck.

[Rosemary349]

Yes it's great to hear the original poster being proactive and thinking in terms of prevention.

A general question though, has anyone else heard that diets that aim to reduce or remove plaque may actually be harmful because they cause the plaque to break down and to move, which could lead to a blocked artery?

Obviously a healthy diet is important but i'm talking about specific diets that have been aimed at breaking down plaque?

[ed34]

for plaque to cause blockages elsewhere in the body , it would have to fracture and break free. This can also potentially release the soft matter under the plaque which is a mixture of fats, damaged red blood cells/white cells and a whole host of particles.
When the body is enriched with the right vitamins etc, plaque would be broken down in a chemical process manner, making the particles too small for trouble. They would be harmlessly filtered out through the kidneys. the softer matter would be more difficult.
Research is being heavily funded into these cleaning up processes which seem to be non existent in the majority of people.
Another problem is that the inner lining of the artery would have to heal very quickly and become smooth virtually instantly. When plaque is removed, a very rough surface is left, causing the body to believe it has a leak and it needs to be given a clot.

[erijon]

Atherosclerosis can affect any artery in the body, including arteries in the heart, brain, arms, legs, and pelvis. As a result, different diseases may develop based on which arteries are affected.

Coronary artery disease

This is when plaque builds up in the coronary arteries. These arteries supply oxygen-rich blood to your heart. When blood flow to your heart is reduced or blocked, it can lead to chest pain and heart attack. CAD also is called heart disease, and it's the leading cause of death in the United States.

Carotid artery disease.

This happens when plaque builds up in the carotid arteries. These arteries supply oxygen-rich blood to your brain. When blood flow to your brain is reduced or blocked, it can lead to stroke.

Peripheral arterial disease.

This occurs when plaque builds up in the major arteries that supply oxygen-rich blood to the legs, arms, and pelvis. When blood flow to these parts of your body is reduced or blocked, it can lead to numbness, pain, and sometimes dangerous infections.
Some people with atherosclerosis have no signs or symptoms. They may not be diagnosed until after a heart attack or stroke.

The main treatment for atherosclerosis is lifestyle changes. You also may need medicines and medical procedures. These, along with ongoing medical care, can help you live a healthier life.

The cause of atherosclerosis isn’t known. However, certain conditions may raise your chances of developing it. These conditions are known as risk factors. You can control some risk factors, such as lack of physical activity, smoking, and unhealthy eating. Others you can’t

Happy Thanksgiving!

Jon