Atherosclerosis (Arteriosclerosis) is directly caused by fatty deposition, which leads the arteries becoming narrow in size, and could cause many health problems. The fatty substance that builds up in the arteries is called as a plaque. When Plaques grow larger and larger, they can reduce blood circulation, block blood flow, hence no enough food and oxygen reaches some area. For example, if an artery in the heart is blocked, the person suffers from heart disease; if the artery in the brain is blocked, then the person gets a stroke; and if arteries that reach to limbs are affected, the person may have circulation problems in arms and legs.
The Causes of Arteriosclerosis
Why the fatty substance is building up in blood vessels? The causes include:
High blood cholesterol
High blood pressure (hypertension)
Obesity or overweight
Diabetes mellitus
Smoking
Inactivity lifestyle
High-fat Dietary
How to Treat Arteriosclerosis
To treat arteriosclerosis, you may need to change your lifestyle and daily diet:
1. Exercise. Get exercise – at least 30 minutes a day.
2. Weight loss. Maintain a healthy weight and avoid weight gain as you get older.
3. Stop Smoking.
4. Give up junk food or oily/fatty food.
5. You have high blood cholesterol, high blood pressure (hypertension), or diabetes mellitus, you may need to work with your doctor to manage the condition.
There are some home remedies and alternative cures that can be used for prevention and treatment of arteriosclerosis. The following are some of them:
1. Eat onion or garlic daily. Researches have shown that onion and garlic can treat and prevent arteriosclerosis. You can include them regularly in your diet.
2. Drink red wine. Studies found that red wine reduce the risk of arteriosclerosis by protecting against the damage caused by LDL cholesterol.
3. Eat a healthy diet. Eat more fruits and vegetables, and fewer animal foods. Almost all fresh fruits and vegetables contain potassium, which normalizes blood pressure and helps maintain a regular blood circulation. Most animal foods are high in saturated fat, which is easily turned into the “bad” cholesterol that thickens the blood and contributes to clogged arteries.
