How To Clean Your Arteries With One Simple Fruit

More and more people are suffering from heart disease and clogged arteries. However the solution could be a simple and delicious fruit.

Cardiovascular disease kills more than 800,000 people in the U.S. alone annually. The usual cause for cardiovascular disease is atherosclerosis, which is the hardening and narrowing of the arteries which carry oxygen rich blood around the body.

These arteries become clogged with a ‘plaque’ which is a result of the build up of bad cholesterol, fat and calcium. This plaque hardens over time leading to heart attacks, strokes and other heart conditions.

However plaque can also build up in the arteries surrounding the kidney, brain, pelvis, arms and legs, all of which will lead to serious health issues.

The risk of atherosclerosis is raised by certain risk factors which we can control such as an unhealthy diet, smoking and a sedentary lifestyle, in addition to a genetic predisposition which we cannot control. Most experts admit the main treatment for atherosclerosis is lifestyle changes although medications are handed out which naturally have associated side effects.

New research has been carried out studying the effect of pomegranate extract on blocked arteries. The respected journal Atherosclerosis published the paper (i) which detailed a study undertaken on mice.

They added pomegranate extract to the drinking water of mice who were known to have a genetic propensity to spontaneous blockages of the coronary arteries. They started this when the mice were just three weeks old. Their results showed that “despite the fact that pomegranate treatment actually increased cholesterol levels associated with very low density lipoprotein-sized particles, the treatment both reduced the size of the atherosclerotic plaques in the aortic sinus (the dilated opening above the aortic valve) and reduced the proportion of coronary arteries with occlusive atherosclerotic plaques”

The study went on to detail further benefits which had been found with this simple addition of pomegranate extract. They include a “reduction in all of the following issues:
* levels of oxidative stress 
* ECG abnormalities
* cardiac enlargement
* lipid accumulation in the heart muscle
* levels of monocyte chemotactic protein-1 and fibrosis in the myocardium
* macrophage infiltration in the heart muscle
* monocytie chemotactic protein-1, a chemical messenger (chemokine) associated with inflammatory processes within the arteries.”

Indeed other studies have also shown the power of pomegranates to help clear this dangerous build up in arteries.

A three year study was carried out in Israel, with the results being published in 2004 in theClinical Nutrition journal (ii). They looked at the effect over three years on patients suffering from clogged arteries who drank pomegranate juice daily. They concluded that there was a reduction in the build up within the first year of 29%. In the same period the control group showed an increase in artery blockages of 9%.

The benefits of pomegranates in the treatment of cardiovascular disease is thought to be due to several inherent properties of the fruit and their effects on various functions within the body. Research has confirmed the following effects:

ANTIOXIDANT PROPERTIES – pomegranate has been shown to lower the oxidative stress in the blood in humans and mice (iii). It is the process of oxidation that converts the bad cholesterol into the dangerous plaque. The tests on mice showed a reduction in this oxidation process, which was reflected in a corresponding reduction of 44% in the arterial lesions. The report concluded that “pomegranate juice had potent antiatherogenic effects in healthy humans and in atherosclerotic mice that may be attributable to its antioxidative properties.”

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY PROPERTIES – inflammation is one of the root problems of many chronic diseases including cardiovascular disease. Several studies have proven the strong anti-inflammatory qualities of pomegranate´s (iv) with other diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, colon cancer and inflammatory bowel disease responding to these properties.

ANTI-BACTERIAL and ANTI-VIRAL PROPERTIES – the plaque build up can often be worsened by additional bacterial or viral infections such as chlamydia pneumoniae and hepatitis C (v). Harnessing the anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties of pomegranate´s could minimize these effects.

BLOOD PRESSURE LOWERING PROPERTIES – studies have shown that pomegranate juice can reduce blood pressure (vi) and (vii) where diabetes or obesity is an issue. Also research has highlighted that pomegranate extract (known as PFE) is a rich source of punicalagin, a powerful anti-oxidant, and this has been found to reduce and even reverse the effects of “perturbed stress on arterial segments exposed to disturbed flow”

This is further proof that we can eat to heal ourselves, just as our ancestors did.

REFERENCES/SOURCE:
(i) http://www.greenmedinfo.com/article/pomegranate-extract-reduced-aortic-sinus-and-coronary-artery-aterosclerosis
(ii) http://www.greenmedinfo.com/article/pomegranate-reduces-intima-media-thickness-size-artery-while-also-reducing
(iii) http://www.greenmedinfo.com/article/pomegranate-juice-has-potent-antiatherogenic-effects-healthy-humans-and
(iv) http://www.greenmedinfo.com/greenmed/topic/18682/focus/5167/page
(v) http://www.greenmedinfo.com/article/hepatitis-c-and-chlamydia-pneumoniae-infection-are-related-progression-carotid
(vi) http://www.greenmedinfo.com/article/pomegranate-juice-reduces-blood-pressure-inhibiting-angiotensin-converting-enzyme-ace
(vii) http://www.greenmedinfo.com/article/influence-pomegranate-fruit-extract-comparison-regular-pomegranate-juice-and
(viii) http://www.greenmedinfo.com/article/pomegranate-fruit-extract-rich-punicalagin-reverses-proatherogenic-effects
http://www.greenmedinfo.com/blog/how-clean-your-arteries-one-simple-fruit

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Top foods that reduce cholesterol

Snack on nuts, drizzle a little olive oil, grab an apple, dine on fish, bite a chocolate. All these foods can help you lower your cholesterol.

cholesterol lowering foods (D and N)

What is cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that is made by the liver. It is a part of every cell in the body and serves many vital functions. However, sometimes our bodies make more cholesterol than we need, and this excess cholesterol circulates in the bloodstream. High levels of cholesterol in the blood can clog blood vessels and increase the risk for heart disease and stroke.

Top foods to lower cholesterol:

•  Oats: Oats, the sturdy breakfast food is not only a fine way to start the day, but it can also really bring down your bad LDL cholesterol levels without lowering your good cholesterol. It is rich in soluble fibre (beta-glucan), a type of fibre, which helps lower LDL. Soluble fibre appears to reduce the absorption of cholesterol in your intestines.
• Fish: Fish are one of the foods that will help lower your cholesterol because they have a high concentration of Omega-3 fatty acids. ‘Fatty’ fish like salmon, lake trout and herring are the best for lowering your cholesterol. Two servings of fish a week will make a huge difference on your cholesterol levels.
• Beans: Researchers at Arizona State University Polytechnic found that adding ½ a cup of beans to soup lowers total cholesterol, including LDL, by up to 8%. All thanks to the high fibre levels in this veggie, which slows the rate and amount of absorption of cholesterol in certain foods. So, try black, kidney, or pinto beans; each supplies about one-third of your day’s fibre needs.
• Garlic: Apart from adding that extra zing to any dish, garlic has been found to be highly effective in lowering cholesterol, preventing blood clots and keeping blood pressure under check, and offering protection against infections. Pop 2 to 4 fresh cloves daily and reap its benefits.
• Nuts: Certain nuts like almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts, pecans, and pistachios deserve an honoured spot in the kitchen of every healthy eater. They contain omega-3 fatty acids. They’re also a source of fibre and vitamin-E.
• Soya: A number of studies show that soy protein may lower ‘bad’ LDL cholesterol and triglycerides without lowering ‘good’ HDL cholesterol. Soya products are high in protein and fibre, and low in saturated fat, which are additional plusses to this heart-healthy food.
• Olive oil: Olive oil contains a mix of antioxidants that can lower LDL cholesterol without affecting HDL cholesterol level. The Food and Drug Administration, USA recommends using about 2 tablespoons (about 23 grams) of olive oil a day to get its heart-healthy benefits. Some research suggests that the cholesterol-lowering effects of olive oil are even greater if you choose extra-virgin olive oil, meaning the oil is less processed and contains more heart-healthy antioxidants.
• Cinnamon: Plant compounds in cinnamon have been found to be effective in lowering cholesterol. The results of a study from 2003 in Pakistan showed lower levels of fasting glucose, triglycerides, LDL cholesterol and total cholesterol after 40 days of cinnamon use with levels continuing to drop for 20 days after that.
• Apple: Eating an apple or two each day may reduce heart disease risk factors, a new study shows. Apples are rich in fibre, which assists in improving our digestive system function. It’s also rich in polyphenols which stimulate metabolism and fat breakdown in the blood, thereby considerably reducing the risks of cardiovascular diseases like stroke or heart attack.
• Blueberries: Pterostilbene — the fat-fighting compound in blueberries is responsible for regulating lipids and cholesterol in the bloodstream. Antioxidants in blueberries have been found to lower bad cholesterol and improve cholesterol health in several notable studies.
• Cranberries: Cranberries are rich sources of anthocyanins, flavonols, and proanthocyanidins, plant chemicals that prevent LDL cholesterol from oxidising, a process that makes it more likely to stick to your artery walls. These chemicals also keep red blood cells from getting too sticky. An added bonus: They initiate a complex chemical reaction that helps blood vessels relax. Plus, they decrease LDL cholesterol and increase HDL.
• Flaxseeds: Flaxseed oil contains the essential fatty-acid alpha linolenic acid, and whole flaxseed provides fibre and other health-boosting compounds that may contribute to lowering cholesterol and decreasing cardiovascular health risks.
• Chocolate: The powerful antioxidant in chocolate helps build HDL cholesterol levels. Remember to choose the dark or bittersweet kind. Compared to milk chocolate, it has more than 3 times as many antioxidants, which prevent blood platelets from sticking together and may even keep arteries unclogged.
• Brown rice: Higher intakes of whole grains such as brown rice are associated with a lower risk of heart disease and stroke. One cup of cooked brown rice has 4gms of dietary fibre, which is 14% of the recommended daily value based on a 2,000-calorie-a-day diet. This source of insoluble fibre lowers cholesterol and decreases your chance of heart disease and may also help slow its progression.

With inputs from Ryan Fernando, Performance Nutritionist and Weight Management Expert, QUA Nutrition

Ref:  http://sg.news.yahoo.com/top-foods-reduce-cholesterol-110058802.html