The Vegan Lifestyle

Atherosclerosis is an “autoimmune”  disease that can be prevented or minimized. It is a vascular disease caused as a result of the natural reaction of the body’s  defense mechanism to repair and protect an inflammation in the arterial wall.

The formation of atherosclerosis starts at childhood. It is a misconception that only the middle aged and the adults are susceptible to atherosclerosis. Autopsies of young children and even of  infants had shown clogged arteries.

Atherosclerosis is asymptotic most of the time. Ninety percent of the time, its symptoms are not visible, until the very onslaught of strokes or heart attacks.

How does atherosclerosis develop in the arteries?

Atherosclerosis develops from the oxidation of low-density lipoprotein molecules (LDL)  by free radicals, particularly oxygen free radicals.This oxidized LDL  damages the arterial inner wall, and a series of reactions are activated by the body’s defense mechanism to repair this damage.   Initially, this damage or lesion is visible as the thickening of the inner wall (intima) of the artery with the presence of fatty streaks or plaques.

The body’s immune system sends specialized white blood cells, macrophages and T-lympocytes to absorb the oxidized-LDL and to repair the damage to the artery wall caused by oxidized LDL. But these white blood cells are not able to process these oxidized-LDL, and this  gradually  grow and then ruptures, depositing a greater amount of oxidized cholesterol in the artery wall. This triggers the immune system to send more white blood cells, and the cycle continues.The artery becomes inflamed, and the cholesterol plaques cause the muscle cells to enlarge and form a hard cover over the damaged area. This hard cover  causes a narrowing of the artery which reduces the blood flow and increases blood pressure. Clogged arteries can lead to angina pectoris, mycardial infarction, strokes, heart attacks, and other cardiovascular diseases.

What must be done to prevent or minimize atherosclerosis?

The best way to prevent or minimize atherosclerosis is to avoid all fatty foods. All junk foods are cooked or processed with fats, and most of these fats come from hydrogenated cooking oils that are converted into trans fatty acid when heated. Trans fatty acids are very harmful to the body,  and it causes cancer.

A vegetarian diet can help a lot. Fruits, grains, nuts, and vegetables have vitamins and minerals that reduces low-density lipoprotein (LDL), a bad cholesterol, and increases the high-density lipoprotein (HDL), a good cholesterol. Good examples of these are garlic, onions, avocados, cayenne, gingko biloba, gotu kola, and soy beans. They not only provide the essential nutrients for a healthy body, but they are also known to dissolve excess cholesterols in the body.

A regular physical exercise is also very important in preventing atherosclerosis. Brisk walking can lower bad cholesterol level in the body, and raises the good cholesterol too. Sports, such as tennis, basketball, and swimming are also good forms of exercises.

And the best prevention of all is to have a positive mental attitude  in life.  Studies showed that trauma and stress are the primary precursors of atherosclerosis. So live life happily and trust in God.