Artherosclerosis
(heart disease)

CAD is caused by plaque buildup in the vessels that supply the heart with oxygen-rich blood. When the tissues of the heart begin to become deprived of oxygen (ischemia), chest pain (angina) occurs. If the artery becomes completely blocked, cells in the heart begin to die and a heart attack may occur. Symptoms of CAD are usually triggered by physical exercise, sexual activity, exposure to cold weather, anger, or stress.

The most common symptoms of CAD include:

• Chest pain (generally a heavy, squeezing, or crushing sensation with possible burning or stabbing pains)
• Abdominal, neck, back, jaw, or shoulder/arm pain
• Nausea and vomiting
• Unexplainable fatigue and/or extreme fatigue after physical activity
• Weakness
• Perspiration
• Shortness of breath
• Depression and/or anxiety

Cerebrovascular disease is caused by plaque buildup in the arteries that supply the brain with oxygen-rich blood. Cerebrovascular disease causes transient ischemic attack (a sudden loss of brain function with complete recovery within 24 hours) and stroke.

Symptoms may include:

• Weakness or paralysis on one side of the body
• Garbled speech and/or inability to comprehend speech
• Loss of vision in one eye
• Paralysis of facial muscles
• Muscle weakness
• Impaired senses
• Stupor
• Poor coordination
• Involuntary, jerky movements on one side of the body
• Rapid, repetitious, involuntary eye movement
• Vertigo

Peripheral artery disease is caused by plaque buildup in the arteries that supply the extremities of the body (such as the hands and feet) with oxygen-rich blood.

Symptoms may include:

• Pain, aching, cramps, numbness or sense of fatigue in the muscles of the lower extremities
• Diminished pulses in the extremities
• Decreased muscle mass
• "Bruits" (blowing sounds that the physician hears with a stethoscope that indicates turbulence in blood flow)
• Hair loss
• Thickened nails
• Smooth, shiny skin surface
• Skin that is cold to the touch
• Gangrene

• Tocotrienols: Tocotrienols (200 mg per day) may offer protection against atherosclerosis by preventing oxidative damage to LDL cholesterol. In a double-blind study in patients with severe atherosclerosis of the carotid artery - the main artery supplying blood to the head - tocotrienol supplementation reduced the size of the atherosclerotic plaques; in contrast, none of the patients receiving the placebo showed an improvement in their atherosclerosis.

• Fish oil: Rich in omega-3 fatty acids, fish oil has been associated with favorable changes in various risk factors for atherosclerosis and heart disease in some, but not all, studies (1-2 grams three times per day is often used).
• Folic acid: 500-800 mcg per day to lower homocysteine levels.
• Selenium: 100-200 mcg per day.
• Vitamin C: Leading vitamin C researchers have begun to suggest that vitamin C may be important in preventing heart disease, but only up to 100-200 mg of intake per day. In a double-blind trial, supplementation with 250 mg of timed-release vitamin C twice daily for three years resulted in a 15% reduction in the progression of atherosclerosis, compared with placebo. Many doctors suggest that people take vitamin C - often 1 gram per day - despite the fact that research does not yet support levels higher than 500 mg per day.
• Vitamin E: Vitamin E (400-800 IU per day to prevent oxidative damage to LDL cholesterol) may lower the risk of atherosclerosis and heart attacks, but current evidence from large, well-designed studies is conflicting.
• Other nutrients - see more information about other nutrients

• Garlic: Garlic has been shown to be an effective anti-atherosclerotic at 900 mg per day (standardized extract).

• Fenugreek: (18 grams per day of powder), garlic (600-900 mg per day), guggul (25 mg guggulsterone three times a day), psyllium (5-10 grams per day).
• Green tea (three cups per day [providing 240-320 mg of polyphenols]) has been shown to block oxidation of cholesterol.
• Garlic has been shown to decrease excessive platelet stickiness.
• Other herbs - see details about other herbs

The most important dietary changes in protecting arteries from atherosclerosis include avoiding meat and dairy fat and avoiding foods that contain trans fatty acids (margarine, some vegetable oils, and many processed foods containing vegetable oils). Increasingly, the importance of avoiding trans fatty acids is being accepted by the scientific community. Leading researchers have recently begun to view the evidence linking trans fatty acids to markers for cardiovascular disease as "unequivocal."

• Meat and dairy: Reduce consumption of meat and dairy fat.
• Trans fatty acids: Avoid foods that contain trans fatty acids (margarine, partially hydrogenated vegetable oils).
• Alpha-linolenic acid: Opt for foods rich in alpha-linolenic acid (e.g., canola and flaxseed oils).
• Fiber: Certain fibers are linked to the reduction of cholesterol levels. They are found in oats, psyllium seeds, fruit (pectin), and beans (guar gum).
• Egg-yolks: High consumption of egg yolks may be able to induce atherosclerosis, independent of their action on serum cholesterol; therefore, people should reduce egg-yolk intake.
• Vegan diet: A vegan diet (i.e., no animal products) combined with exercise and stress reduction has been proven to reduce the incidence of atherosclerosis. (Note: people on a vegan diet need to be sure they are getting enough vitamin B12)
• Salt: Reduce salt consumption.

• Smoking: Smoking is directly linked to atherosclerosis. Quitting smoking is a critical step in the process of heart disease prevention.
• Weight loss: Obesity and type A behavior (time conscious, impatient, and aggressive) are both associated with an increased risk of atherosclerosis.
• Exercise: Exercise is linked to protection from atherosclerosis.

See research on artherosclerosis.