Lower Your Cholesterol Naturally

Atherosclerosis is defined as an abnormal inflammatory process inside artery walls as the result of complex interactions among “bad” cholesterol (LDL), platelets, calcium, and inflammatory cells. When the LDL particles find their way into the artery walls, the artery will bend out of shape and get larger. But as more and more cholesterol accumulates the artery wall will start to constrict blood flow and a hard plaque will develop.

Atherosclerosis can be divided into 5 different stages. Stage three occurs when the endothelium (the outer lining of the artery which touches the bloodstream) becomes dysfunctional. It has been invaded by so many LDL particles it is now compromised. LDL cholesterol continues to invade but now the body itself joins the attack. After letting in the bad cholesterol, the body decreases its production of nitric oxide, which causes the arteries to constrict rather than relax in response to injury.

This is really a problem in the later stages of atherosclerosis when the arteries are partially blocked. The dysfunctional endothelium releases free radicals which further damage the artery walls. The artery then releases blood-clotting factors. The results are clotting, and a massive inflammatory response at the site where the endothelium is breached.

In the next stages, parts of the plaque may break free and clog the bloodstream causing a clot and death to the heart muscle fed by this artery. This results in a heart attack.

In any case in these stages the arteries become hard and inflexible, bloodflow is decreased to the heart muscle and simple tasks become more and more difficult to do. This is the result of years of eating the wrong foods, smoking, drinking, and lack of exercise. Just about anyone can get to this stage.

Today we know enough about the causes of heart disease that we can prevent atherosclerosis by simple life-style changes, eating a heart-healthy diet, and exercise.