How To Prevent and Heal Clogged Arteries: Avoid Heart Disease

Misguiding Messages on Clogged Arteries

Too many people have been falsely led to believe that atherosclerosis, (the medical name for clogged arteries), is a cholesterol problem stemming from a high fat diet. In fact, cholesterol is vital to our bodies, and we couldn’t survive without it. The type and balance of cholesterol plays a role in clogged arteries and the only “bad” cholesterol is that which has been damaged by other causal factors at the root of the problem. So, if cholesterol isn’t the problem, how can you naturally prevent and heal clogged arteries?

This post will attempt to explain risk factors correlated to clogged arteries, the process by which clogging occurs, as well as the best ways to avoid, stop, and reverse it. As always, I will give you links to some of the doctors from whom I acquired this enlightening information. Of course, this should not be construed as medical advice for any individual. It’s just information that can be used to prevent problems in your future or help you speak with your physician in an informed way.

How Atherosclerosis Develops

In order to understand the causes and cures of atherosclerosis that may lead to a heart attack, it is important to know the order and process by which it occurs. Contrary to popular belief, it does not start with cholesterol from your diet getting stuck in your arteries.

In fact, the first invisible step in the process is damage to the inner walls of the arteries. That inner wall is made of epithelial cells that are supposed to be smooth allowing blood to flow through without hindrance. Instead they become rough and inflamed.
Then the immune system kicks in. The body sends cholesterol to cover the wound like a bandaid would for a cut on the skin. If the lesions and inflammation are temporary, the arteries heal and return to normal. However, if the inflammation is chronic, the immune system continues to send reinforcements and the problem escalates.
Next, in an inflammatory response, large immune cells called macrophages are sent to envelope the cholesterol and the damage it has covered. However, they get stuck within the 3 layers of the artery walls and become known as foam cells. These cells clog and narrow the passageway of the arteries.
Afterwards, calcification of that clog begins when excess calcium and fibrous tissue forms over it like a scar.
Finally, when these clogs have been in the arteries for a while, they develop inflammation that degrades them, releasing chemicals that weaken the fibrous scar-like tissue. Then plaque rupture occurs which is when pieces of the clog can break off and travel in the bloodstream. Sometimes they get stuck in another narrowed arterial passageway and block blood flow causing a heart attack or stroke.

Once this process is understood, we realize that stents and bypasses are just like sticking your thumb in the dike trying to avert a disaster. Instead, we want to prevent and heal clogged arteries. Therefore, we must understand how to prevent their build-up and even reverse it. Let’s start with the root problem, damaged arterial tissue. Why does this epithelial tissue become damaged and inflamed in the first place?

Initial Blood Vessel Injury

Smoking

There are three main causes of injury to the blood vessel walls. Nicotine taken in any form damages the endothelial cells. This is why smokers have a higher risk of a heart attack. Thus, quitting smoking immediately ceases the damage and lowers the buildup of clogged arteries.

Sugar

The next and most common culprit is sugar. Chronically elevated blood sugar with an A1C of even 5.2 and above causes lesions on the artery walls with a continuous need for healing of these vessels. That sugar may be ingested in the form of fructose (found in fruits), glucose, (found in carbohydrates or straight sugar), or even lactose (found in dairy.) Thus, by reducing the intake of these things, the damage from them can be stopped as well. It also explains why the majority and highest risk factors associated with heart disease are all related to this issue.

According to a study cited by Dr. Berry in this video, the number 1 risk factor for heart disease is diabetes with metabolic syndrome coming in second. Next, hypertension (which stems from and adds to the problem of arteriosclerosis), obesity, and smoking cross the finish line nearly together in third place. These are followed by high triglycerides, being overweight, and having a small LDL particle size. Finally, a high CRP showing high inflammation levels as well as inactivity finish out the top 10 risk factors.

Diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and weight issues are all connected to a problem with insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is when your cells have less receptors that allow insulin to help glucose, nutrients, proteins, and fats get into the cell as needed. Because of this, glucose stays in blood too long causing damage and getting converted into triglycerides. I’ve done posts on reversing diabetes as well as on dealing with the scourge of insulin resistance.

Leaky Gut

Finally, Leaky Gut Syndrome (LGS) is the other primary cause of damage to the arteries. It is a weakening of the intestinal lining that makes it permeable to toxins and bacteria, allowing them out of the intestines and into the bloodstream. Bad bacteria in the intestines contain Lipopolysaccharide coatings (LPS). The LPS can actually get through the artery lining and into the bloodstream where it attaches to an LDL cholesterol, knocks part of it off, and takes its place. This creates a small dense LDL which in turn becomes part of the clog.

In addition to sugars, artificial sweeteners, chemicals, additives, some food allergies, wheat or wheat protein allergies, stress, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) can be the cause of a bad microbiome and leaky gut. A more detailed explanation can be found in this video by Dr. Pradip Jamnadas, MD.

The Role of Cholesterol

Next, it is important to understand the purpose of cholesterol and its cycle in the body. Then we can see why eating less cholesterol will not prevent and heal clogged arteries. Recent studies actually show that higher cholesterol is associated with lower all-cause mortality and better cognitive function in your later years. Cholesterol helps build the structure of cell membranes, makes hormones like estrogen, testosterone, and adrenal hormones, produces vitamin D, creates bile in the liver, and repairs tissue.

Let me provide a brief definition of abbreviations.

VLDL = Very low density lipoprotein (total Cholesterol minus LDL and HDL) It’s made of three triglycerides and one cholesterol.
LDL= Low density lipoprotein (not bad unless damaged and made smaller and denser)
HDL High density lipoprotein

VLDL carries fat and nutrients through the blood to body tissues. If successful, one fluffy LDL cholesterol is left that your liver happily recycles. However, if you are insulin resistant the cells resist the delivery of these fats and nutrients and the VLDL stays and builds up in the bloodstream too long. LDL then gets damaged and shrunk by oxidative stress, inflammation, or glycation (glucose stuck to LDL). These may be caused by sugar, insulin resistance, food allergies, stress, etc.

When the LDL is small and damaged, the receptors in the liver do not recognize and take it in for recycling. This damaged LDL damages the inside layer of arteries (intima) and makes gaps in the intima bigger so it can slip behind that layer and get stuck in the middle of the artery walls.

Because the body sees the damaged LDL as a foreign substance, the immune system sends a macrophage (white blood cell) to eat it up. The lipid rich plaque forms what’s called a foam cell. Excess calcium in the bloodstream then gets deposited as a harder layer on the outside. This process, called calcification, stabilizes the clog for a while until it’s degraded from within over time.

Statins

As I begin to expand on ways to avoid and help heal clogged arteries, I’d like to first talk about the go-to drug type generally prescribed when there’s a problem and even when there’s not, statins.

Since the widely publicized and feared culprit leading to heart disease is high cholesterol, doctors prescribe statin drugs because they do lower cholesterol, (and pay big pharma handsomely), and are the “standard of care” remedy. As the standard of care, a doctor can’t get in trouble if any damage results from their use. However, even though they do lower cholesterol, no study has shown them to reduce risk of heart disease or increase longevity. Yet they do have side effects.

Statins increase the number of receptors on the liver which reabsorb LDL cholesterol. Thus, more healthy, harmless LDL particles are absorbed, decreasing the total cholesterol. Unfortunately, the damaged LDLs are still not recognized and absorbed. Instead, they continue building up in the bloodstream causing damage. Only reducing the oxidation and other factors that damage the LDLs in the first place can truly help solve the underlying problem.

In order to increase receptors of LDLs on the liver, statins block the production of cholesterol your body needs as well as CoQ10. As a result, the liver works harder to reabsorb the cholesterol it really needs. Also, the body uses CoQ10 for 95% of all energy production in the body so the hardest hit areas for side effects are muscles. The side effects may include fatigue, pathology, and weakness in muscles including the heart which has to work harder. Other organs affected are the liver and the brain.

For a great explanation from a doctor on the role of cholesterol, its levels in lab work, and the way statins work, I highly recommend this video from Dr. Eckberg also linked in the pictures above.

Oxidation

As mentioned before, the only way to prevent and heal clogged arteries is to stop creating lesions on the arterial walls and to reduce the oxidation that damages the LDL cholesterol.

Free radicals cause oxidation in the body. Antioxidants like vitamins C, E, and A work to counteract free radicals. A study by University at Buffalo confirms that glucose is the number 1 producer of free radicals as described in this article entitled “Study Shows Glucose Consumption Increases Production of Destructive Free Radicles” by Lois Baker. It also depresses the powerful antioxidant, Vitamin E. Vegetable/seed oils cause oxidation because of their high Omega 6 percentage. Soy, corn, cotton seed, and canola oil are usually GMOs. They create more free radicals while depleting antioxidants. Restaurants generally use and reheat these oils many times before they are collected by companies that often recycle them by putting them in animal feed.

For a healthy alternative, use animal-based fats, real butter or ghee, avocado oil, and olive oil in your food to avoid the harm these oils cause. Most Americans consume 20 times more Omega 6 fatty acids that increase clotting and artery stiffness if consumed in excess, than Omega 3s which decrease inflammation. Cod liver oil, wild caught seafood, eggs, and walnuts are some good sources of Omega 3 fatty acids.

Other major sources of inflammation and free radical oxidation include pollution, chemical solvents, heavy metals, cigarette smoke, alcohol, radiation, and certain drugs. Obviously, try to avoid these harmful things while supplementing with vitamins such as Vitamin E tocotrienols and vitamin C. Also, eat healthy, nutrient dense foods, to counter and prevent the negative effects of free radical oxidation.

Calcification

Aside from preventing arterial inflammation and oxidation in the blood, there are also ways to prevent and reduce calcification of the lipid rich plaque that forms on the arteries. One way is to increase vitamins D and K2. Vitamin D carries HDL and LDL lipoproteins and fat-soluble vitamins including K2. These take unneeded calcium out of the arteries and joints. K2 activates a protein that inhibits calcium from forming in the arteries. Magnesium also helps calcium be absorbed into the bones and areas it’s actually needed. The risk of taking too much vitamin D is almost zero as long as you take K2 along with it.

As an important related side note, taking calcium pills for bone health can increase calcification of arteries because the problem is almost never too little calcium. instead, it is the absorption of calcium into the correct places. Vitamin D and magnesium (which most people are deficient in) are the answers to that problem. Vitamin D that can be absorbed by just getting more sunlight, also helps the healing of lesions on the artery walls.

Lactic Acidosis

Lactic Acidosis, (lactic acid in the blood), is also associated with the calcification of arteries. It is often a byproduct of too many carbs, thus too much lactate and glycolysis (processing of sugar in the blood.) It’s associated with many issues including hypoxia, (lack of oxygen in your arteries), that leads to vascular calcification. In addition, it increases the acidity of your blood which can cause breathing problems and restlessness.

Another cause of lactic acidosis is chronic stress which constantly uses sugar for fuel of adrenaline and cortisol. Other contributors include Metformin (prescribed for diabetics), Warfarin (a blood thinner), and Statin drugs. These may have the side effect of lactic acidosis and artery calcification. Finally, both drinking too much alcohol and overtraining can lead to lactic acidosis.

Natural B1 can effectively pull you out of lactic acidosis It counters complications of consuming too many carbs, complications of diabetes, and the side effects of chronic stress. It helps with anxiety, breathing problems, and hypoxia. It also inhibits thrombosis (blood clotting) and calcification. However, consuming too many carbs and alcohol depletes your B1.

Repairing the Damage

I’ve established much of the process of developing atherosclerosis and the underlying causes of it. I’ve given you some things to avoid and vitamins to take to prevent clogged arteries and help stop their development. Now I would like to give you ways to possibly reverse the damage that may already have been done.

Autophagy

Autophagy reduces the size of the clog by breaking down and recycling old, damaged cells. It takes place after the body has used its immediate energy stores and when insulin, (which blocks autophagy), is no longer in the bloodstream helping glucose into the cells. You need autophagy to get rid of the foam cells stuck in your arteries. Both intermittent and prolonged fasting increase autophagy. It significantly ramps up after 24 to 48 hours of no food. I’ve done a post on intermittent and prolonged fasting.

Helpful Nutrition

Nutrient dense foods lead to the best absorption necessary to regenerate tissue. They work much better than supplements. Meat, especially organ meat, is the highest density nutrient rich food. Lycopene, (found in tomatoes), decreases thickness and stiffness in the walls of arteries. Using more healthy fats helps with the absorption of lycopene since it is fat soluble. More sulfur in the diet helps make cholesterol more transportable and less likely to accumulate in one place. Garlic, onions, beans, eggs, and fish are rich in sulfur. In this video by Dr. Dorothy Adamiak, she discusses many specific helpful foods, vitamins, and types of exercise for the process of getting healthy.

Carbs, Chemicals, and Chronic Stress

In conclusion, the research suggests that as with most chronic illnesses plaguing western society today, an unhealthy diet, chronic stress, and environmental pollutants are the underlying triggers for heart disease. Only by addressing these can we prevent and heal clogged arteries. The unhealthy diet includes way too many sugars, carbohydrates, and processed foods containing unhealthy oils.

Healthy fats containing cholesterol, have ultimately been unfairly blamed. This misguided blame has prevented real remedies from being sought and used for actual healing. Instead, prescriptions of statins with their serious side effects have been doled out like candy without actually providing the help they promise. Environmental chemical pollutants in our water, food, and air that we necessarily ingest and breathe or purposefully smoke increase the damage done. Finally, a life of chronic stress adds to the difficulty our immune system has in its fight to regain health.

Along with the videos cited, many of my earlier health posts have more information on dealing the issues of food and stress. I would urge you to take the time to read them if you have found this article helpful. Also, I would truly appreciate your comments or questions. A subscription and a share would greatly help me continue to get out the word to more people on real, natural solutions to modern health issues.