Herbs and Atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis is a process of progressive thickening and hardening of the walls of medium-sized and large arteries as a result of fat deposits (called plaques) on their inner lining. It can begin in the teenage years. It is usually a silent disease (with no obvious symptoms).
Symptoms
The symptoms of atherosclerosis vary somewhat depending on the location of a plaque. If the plaque occurs in the arteries of the heart, the patient may experience chest pain, heart attack, or sudden death. A plaque in the brain may lead to sudden dizziness, weakness, loss of speech, or blindness. In arteries of the leg, plaques can lead to ulcers, cramping and fatigue in the legs when walking. A plaque in the kidneys can cause high blood pressure that is difficult to treat.
Risk factors for atherosclerosis include high levels of “bad” cholesterol (LDL), high blood pressure (hypertension), smoking, diabetes and a genetic family history of atherosclerotic disease.
Atherosclerosis is responsible for much coronary artery disease (angina and heart attacks) and many strokes.
Signs of atherosclerosis: sweating, lightheadedness, nausea, breathlessness.
Herbactive has made a specific herbal medicine to help reverse atherosclerosis. Order the Atherosclerosis Tonic
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Alan, I’m so pleased to have found you in 2015. I’d suffered for 17 years with a leg ulcer with cracked eczema which oozed constantly; it never healed. I lived in Canada then came to UK. No conventional treatments worked. I have a high pain threshhold, but I was in agony every day because it was just above the ankle. I have friends in the Netherlands and went to a recommended clinic there. They bound the whole leg with a bandage. I had to keep doing this. After a year it healed for a year. But as soon as I left the whole leg bandage off the ulcer and cracked eczema came back. I was found to have atherosclerosis and high blood pressure. I found your clinic and started your Atherosclerosis Tonic. I continued wearing an elasticated stocking. After a year both the ulcer and eczema had completely healed. I left off the stocking and it has not come back for 2 years. I can walk and cycle with no pain, bliss! My blood pressure has also improved. I continue taking the tonic every day. I tell so many people about you! Thank you so much Alan. Helina E. Dorset UK
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Natural Treatment and Prevention of Atherosclerosis
Herbal treatment that is anti-inflammatory, anti-cholesterol and stimulant on the immune system may be used alone or in combination with statins and niacin (and anticholesterol supplements e.g. ezetimibe and others) is recommended.
In severe cases of atherosclerosis research shows that Vitamin B3 (Niacin, Nicatinic acid) could be beneficial at a high dose viz. 1-3g per day. It is recommended this is supervised by a professional as there can be side effects. It has been found to improve HDL levels, and to shift LDL and lower lipoprotein(a).
For preventative purposes to get niacin from natural sources you will find niacin in all meat and poultry and fish, also in liver and kidney; you will also find niacin in brown rice, eggs, cheese and nuts (especially peanuts); niacin is also in soya beans, peas and beans, also in brewers yeast, dried fruit and wheatgerm. In herbs you will find niacin in alfalfa (medicago), burdock (arctium lappa samen), fenugreek seed, parsley, and watercress. Eating these foods will help protect your arteries.
The old approach of a vegan diet with very low fat has been shown not to regress atherosclerosis as well as with a moderate protein and fish diet, see below.
Reduce carbs
200-300mg/day cholesterol is usual in a normal diet. But to reduce cholesterol in the blood the key is a low carb diet (below 80g daily) and a low sugar diet (less than 15g per day). To do this effectively you need to be strict with yourself, watch and count the carbs on packaging and know their values in other foods you eat. For specfic guidance contact Alan Hopking, herbalist for over 30 years. See also weightless and stevia. You also need to drink at least 2L water daily (this doesn’t include beverages and juices) – you may want to go on my water-detox programme to kick-start your cardiovascular healing. At the same take the herbal Atherosclerosis Tonic, order it here..
Other useful supplements
Atherosclerosis responds well to:
Omega 3 oils proven effective protection. You can buy this with a high antioxidant value.
Vitamin C has an important role – antioxidant in vessels and inhibits inflammatory process. Take up to 2g per day (best to buy Vitamin C powder)
Vit E is of some benefit.
All these can be found in microform in our unique ABC Daily Herbal NutriPowder Plus with over over 65 different herbal powders from around the world and at least 100,000 nutrients with every teaspoonful. We recommend you take this powder whether or not you take other supplements I’ve mentioned.
Blood thinners like warfarin and aspirin can interfere with Vit K in the long term and thus worsen vascular calcification.
HDL largely reverses and removes atheromas. Eg Niacin (side effect is flushing).
HDL 40-60mg/dL = normal; below 40 is too low; above 60 may protect you from getting heart disease.
LDL – below 100mg/dL is best (but for most people 130 is thought to be near optimal); above 160 is high.
Below 150ml/dL triglycerides in the body is normal; above 500 is very high.
How to increase HDL
Aerobic excercise for 20+ mins (duration not intensity); weight loss; cut smoking; cut out hydrogenated fats (they increase LDL and lower HDL at same time). Alcohol can increase HDL (1-2 drinks per day – no more e.g. wine, real ale). Monounsaturated fats increase HDL e.g. olive oil, avocado oil and peanut oil. Soluble fiber reduces LDL and increases HDL, e.g. oats, fruits, veg, legumes. Also cranberry juice, fish
Unsaturated – all veg oils
Saturated – all animal meats also coconut and palm oil, lard, dairy products; all hydrogenated, unnatural products and cheeses.
Herbal Treatment
Herbal treatment uses selective herbal medicines as surface vasodilators, cardioactives, anti-cholesterols and vaso-antiinflammatories.
Atheromas (plaques) cause an inflammatory response in the tissue causing the vessel to swell first, later this swelling narrows the vessel hole. Herbs are used to reduce the inflamed tissue and prevent the narrowing effect. Herbs that help to dilate the vessel are also used. Anti-cholesterol herbs to reduce the LDL in the blood are included in the prescription (see below). General immune system herbs and heart regulating herbs are also recommended.
Herbs considered to help to shrink hardened plaque and lower cholesterol levels include: medicago (alfalfa), horsechestnut, melilot, matricaria (chamomile), borage, oleo (olive leaf), urtica (nettle leaf), mentha (peppermint), calendula, allium (garlic), tilia (lime flower), achillea (yarrow), equisitum (horsetail), crataegus (hawthorn), ginkgo, filipendula (meadowsweet), eucalyptus, ginseng, buckwheat. Also viscum (mistletoe), capsicum.
Threatened stroke: arnica tinct 3-5 drops in water twice daily.
Order your Atherosclerosis Tonic here.
Dietary help: lecithin, artichokes, oily fish, natural cheeses, nuts, meats, linseed on breakfast cereal, garlic in meals and salads. Little or no bread, pasta, fruit, sugar, dried fruit, root veg, fruit juices. For further free advice email Alan Hopking
Vitamins: A, B-complex, B3, B6, B12, C (2g), E (400IU), daily.
Minerals: Mg, Chromium, Iodine, K, Selenium, Manganese, Zn.
Herbal medicine to treat or prevent atherosclerosis, contact us, see below.
Many people ask about the statins
Some statins have a plant origin others are synthetic. They’re the biggest drug sellers of all time. This give you an idea of their popularity, and perhaps their effectiveness. What’s more they have a low percentage side effect (on muscles).
Statins (or HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors) are a class of drugs used to lower cholesterol levels by inhibiting the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase, which plays a central role in the production of cholesterol in the liver. Increased cholesterol levels have been associated with cardiovascular diseases (CVD), and statins are therefore used in the prevention of these diseases. Randomized controlled trials have shown that they are most effective in those already suffering from cardiovascular disease (secondary prevention), but they are also advocated and used extensively in those without previous CVD but with elevated cholesterol levels and other risk factors (such as diabetes and high blood pressure) that increase a person’s risk. Statins have rare but severe adverse effects, particularly muscle damage, and some doctors believe they are overprescribed. wikipedia.
How do you reduce the risk of atherosclerosis?
Stop smoking
Reduce high blood pressure
Lose weight – obesity raises cholesterol and blood pressure
Take daily exercise – a sedentary lifestyle leads to obesity and heart weakness (30 mins daily)
Reduce stress levels (relaxation like yoga, tai chi, meditation)
Stop HRT – hormonal replacement therapy is known to lead to atherosclerosis over years of use
Reduce high alcohol intake
Take the herbal medicine for atherosclerosis
You can take herbal medicine for Atherosclerosis by itself or with a low-dose statin and this can be a useful method, along with dietary change, exercise, meditation (deep relaxation), regular sleep, and a happy recreational life with partner and friends.
Email – contact Alan Hopking Herbalist about herbal medicine for treatment of this condition
Take herbal health tonics on a rotational basis (see PROST)
Related health issues to consider:
The need for better Sleep
Worry
Cholesterol
Heart and Circulation
Herbal V8 or VW
ABC Daily Herbal NutriPowder Plus
Adrenals
Liver Restoration
Total Detox