Simple, Natural Ways to Keep Our Blood Vessels Clean and Healthy

Did you know that eating simple foods has been scientifically proven to prevent disease, and in some cases even to reverse the number 1 cause of death in the modern world?

At present, atherosclerosis (the progressive narrowing and blocking of the arteries) is the process driving cardiovascular mortality, the number 1 cause of death on this planet, with about 18 million deaths a year.

It is a complex process involving autoimmunity, infection, an unsuitable diet and many known and unknown factors. Contrary to conventional medical opinion, it is entirely preventable and, in some cases, reversible.

Peer-reviewed published research proves this fact:

B vitamins: yes, something as simple as adding a source of B complex to your diet can keep heart disease from taking your life before its time. A randomized, double-blind study published in 2005 in the journal Atherosclerosis found that a simple intervention with 2.5 mg of folic acid, 25 mg of vitamin B6 and 0.5 mg of vitamin B12 for one year led to a significant reduction in artery thickness. Even niacin or folic acid alone has been shown to have this effect in patients.

Always choose natural sources of B vitamins, including a probiotic supplement or a whole-food extract, over the synthetic vitamins that dominate the market today.

Garlic can save your life. It has been found to clear plaque buildup in the arteries, among many other health benefits that can save lives.

Pomegranate: this healing fruit has been found to clear plaque buildup in the arteries, and has also been shown to provide dozens of health benefits, including improved ovarian function.

Fermented cabbage: kimchi, a Korean recipe made of fermented cabbage, hot pepper and various other ingredients, inhibits the atherosclerotic process. In addition, strains of good bacteria have been found in kimchi that are able to eliminate toxic chemicals.

L-Arginine: this amino acid is able to prevent the thickening of the arteries. Over 30 studies demonstrate this fact, and in addition to 150 known health benefits, it is able to treat the basic dysfunction associated with cardiovascular disease: endothelial dysfunction, with no fewer than 20 studies proving this fact.

Turmeric (curcumin): the main polyphenol in the Indian spice turmeric, known as curcumin, has been found to be an excellent heart protector, with over 30 studies proving this fact. One study found that curcumin prevented the arterial damage associated with blockage (neointima formation).

Sesame seeds: as effective as Tylenol for joint pain, they may be an excellent cardioprotective agent and are ideally suited to preventing the progression of atherosclerosis. One study found they can prevent the formation of atherosclerotic lesions. Another study found that eating sesame paste can reduce blood markers of cardiovascular disease.

These are just a few research-backed examples of ways to prevent or reverse cardiovascular disease. A much larger body of research covers more than 490 natural substances that can reduce the risk of heart attack and related cardiovascular disease.

Heart disease is not a natural process we must accept as inevitable based on family history, according to an outdated gene-based model of human disease risk. Our daily decisions, especially about what we decide we are or aren't going to eat, come first and foremost. We can use food as medicine instead of toxic statins to fend off the “inevitable.”

Take back control of your health through nutrition, and understand that food is the only medicine that will both nourish us and heal our bodies in a way that creates lasting health.

Sources:

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[7] Michael Aviram, Mira Rosenblat, Diana Gaitini, Samy Nitecki, Aaron Hoffman, Leslie Dornfeld, Nina Volkova, Dita Presser, Judith Attias, Harley Liker, Tony Hayek. Pomegranate juice consumption for 3 years by patients with carotid artery stenosis reduces common carotid intima-media thickness, blood pressure and LDL oxidation. Clin Nutr. 2004 Jun;23(3):423-33. PMID: 15158307

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[9] Hyun Ju Kim, Jin Su Lee, Hae Young Chung, Su Hee Song, Hongsuk Suh, Jung Sook Noh, Yeong Ok Song. 3-(4'-hydroxyl-3',5'-dimethoxyphenyl)propionic acid, an active principle of kimchi, inhibits development of atherosclerosis in rabbits. J Agric Food Chem. 2007 Dec 12;55(25):10486-92. Epub 2007 Nov 16. PMID: 18004805

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[11] Mehdi Nematbakhsh, Shaghayegh Haghjooyjavanmard, Farzaneh Mahmoodi, Ali Reza Monajemi. The prevention of endothelial dysfunction through endothelial cell apoptosis inhibition in a hypercholesterolemic rabbit model: the effect of L-arginine supplementation. Lipids Health Dis. 2008;7:27. Epub 2008 Aug 2. PMID: 18673573

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