102 lines
5.5 KiB
Plaintext
102 lines
5.5 KiB
Plaintext
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ATHEROSCLEROSISRONAARTERIESBLOODEARSMOKINGDIETHEARTDISEASE
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PREVENTING AND TREATING ATHEROSCLEROSIS - Zoltan P. Rona
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PREVENTING AND TREATING ATHEROSCLEROSIS by Zoltan P. Rona, M.D., M.Sc.
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DEFINITION : Atherosclerosis is a degenerative condition in which arteries
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build up deposits called plaques (atheromas) which consist of lipids (mainly
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cholesterol), connective tissue and smooth muscle cells originating from the
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arterial wall. Another term used to describe atherosclerosis is "hardening
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of the arteries". Plaques develop quietly over a period of years and are
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unnoticeable until there is an interruption in the normal flow of blood.
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Progressively limited blood flow leads to lowered nourishment of the tissues
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involved (heart, brain, etc.), oxygen deprivation or thrombosis (complete
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blockage followed by clotting). The most frequently affected arteries include
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the aorta, the coronary and cerebral arteries. The areas serviced by the
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diseased arteries become deprived of oxygen and other vital nutrients. If
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this occurs in one of the arteries that supplies the heart (coronary arteries)
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the result may be a heart attack. If it occurs in an artery that supplies
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brain tissue then the result may be a stroke.
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THE EAR LOBE CREASE
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Significant symptoms of atherosclerosis only appear at the end stage of the
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disease process when blood flow to a particular body part has been greatly
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reduced. An early warning sign of atherosclerosis is a crease in the ear
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lobe. This is because a decrease in blood flow over a period of time results
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in a collapse of the vascular bed of the ear lobe. This leads to a diagonal
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ear lobe crease which has been recognized as a sign of atherosclerosis since
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1973. Studies show that the ear lobe crease is a better predictor of heart
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disease than any of the other known risk factors including high blood
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cholesterol, smoking history, sedentary lifestyle and others. Its presence
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does not prove that the person having it has coronary artery disease but it
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strongly suggests it. This correlation, unfortunately, does not work with
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Orientals and American Indians, but seems to hold true for all other races.
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A review of the scientific literature reveals that the best treatment of
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atherosclerosis is a comprehensive prevention program involving diet, exercise
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and lifestyle modification. The major risk factors induced by the typical
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North American diet and lifestyle are hyperlipidemia (high blood fats), high
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blood pressure, obesity, stress, personality type, physical inactivity,
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cigarette smoking and diabetes mellitus (sugar diabetes). Even hereditary
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factors such as heart attacks or strokes in family members can be offset to a
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large degree by diet and lifestyle changes.
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There are many different theories about the biochemical mechanisms that bring
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about atherosclerosis involving the different types of cholesterol proteins
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(lipoproteins), platelets and other blood clotting factors but there is
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considerable disagreement amongst so-called experts as to the relevance of any
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of these in the actual disease process. In almost any book store one can find
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respected authors claiming that cholesterol is the most important factor in
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predicting the appearance of atherosclerosis. Equally respected scientific
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authors claim the reverse to be true. The truth is that no one knows for sure
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about the specific role of cholesterol or whether or not we should really be
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so concerned about it.
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DIET
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Population studies have shown that death due to atherosclerosis is positively
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correlated with red meat consumption and inversely correlated with fish
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consumption. One study showed that mortality due to coronary heart disease was
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50% lower among those who consumed an average of 30 grams of fish per day
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compared with those who ate meat daily. Meat eaters in this study had a 300%
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increase in their risk of coronary heart disease. This is thought to be
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due to the beneficial effect of the types of fat found in seafoods
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(omega-3-EPA, linoleic, linolenic) on blood levels of cholesterol [and
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triglycerides as well as their role in preventing platelets from sticking or
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clumping together.
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Common sugar promotes higher blood levels of cholesterol, triglycerides and
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uric acid. It also increases platelet stickiness and should be limited in any
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preventive diet for atherosclerosis as much as possible. An increase in
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dietary fiber (especially psyllium seed husks, legumes and oat bran) lowers
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cholesterol as well as improves bowel elimination.
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In the past decade it became fashionable to use the Pritikin diet as not only
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a treatment for atherosclerosis and obesity but as a preventive as well. The
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Pritikin diet recommends that total fat intake comprise no more than 10% of
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the daily caloric intake with 10% protein and 80% carbohydrate. Although this
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approach yields excellent results in the short term, it lead to signs and
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symptoms of essential fatty acid deficiency if adhered to for extended periods
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of time. Side effects include eczema, dry skin, premenstrual tension and
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depression. A modified Pritikin approach includes the essential fatty acids
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found in seafoods and vegetables. It can be followed indefinitely without side
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effects yielding the same or better results as the Pritikin approach.
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A sample menu follows:
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Breakfast
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1/2 grapefruit
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1/2 cup oatmeal
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3 ounces salmon steak
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1 cup skim milk
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Lunch
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1 sardine sandwich (using whole grain bread)
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1 cup fat-free soup
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1 apple
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1/3 cup cooked lentil beans
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