What is arteriosclerosis?
Arteriosclerosis is one of the most frequent disorders of the blood arteries. It mentions a thickening of the walls of the arteries due to the deposition of calcium.
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It has become a common condition in recent times, contributing to most disabilities and high death rates among elderly adults.
Arteriosclerosis is generally preceded by atherosclerosis, a form of
degeneration or softening of the inner lining of the blood vessel walls.
The most dangerous areas for such deterioration are the coronary vessels
of the heart and the arteries going to the brain.
Arteriosclerosis results in the loss
of flexibility of the blood vessels, with a reduction of the lumen of smaller
arteries, which impedes with the free circulation of the blood. These
alterations may progressively spread to capillaries and veins.
Arteriosclerosis is more prevalent in males than women, especially in the
younger age group.
It has been estimated that 40 percent of all men over 40 years have a
considerable degree of blockade of their coronary arteries and this can cause a heart attack at any time.
Symptoms of arteriosclerosis
The symptoms of arteriosclerosis differ with the arteries involved. Signs of
insufficient blood supply generally develop first in the legs.
There may be numbness and coldness in the feet and cramps and aches in
the legs even after modest exertion. If the coronary arteries are affected, the
patient may suffer acute symptoms, indicative of angina pectoris.
When arteries going to the brain
are involved, the artery may burst, causing bleeding in the brain tissues. A
cerebral vascular stroke, with partial or total paralysis of one side of the
body, may develop if there is a blockage with a blood clot.
It may also contribute to loss of memory and a muddled state of mind in
elderly people. If arteries going to the kidneys are damaged, the patient may
suffer from excessive blood pressure and renal diseases.
Causes of arteriosclerosis
The major cause of arteriosclerosis is the excessive intake of white
sugar, processed foods, and a high-fat diet, rich in cholesterol. A sedentary
life and excesses of all kinds are the major contributing culprits.
Hardening of the arteries may
also be caused by various disorders such as high blood pressure, obesity,
diabetes, rheumatism, Bright's disease, malaria, syphilis
.
Emotional stress also plays a vital part, and heart attacks are more
prevalent during times of mental and emotional troubles, particularly in
those involved in sedentary careers. The heredity element also has a role and it
runs in families.
Treatment of arteriosclerosis
If the causes of arteriosclerosis are identified, therapeutic treatment
should be performed soon to remove them. To begin with, the patient should
resort to a brief juice fast for five to seven days.
All available fresh, raw vegetables and fruit juices in season may be consumed.
Grapefruit juice, pineapple juice, lemon juice, and juices from green vegetables
are beneficial.
A warm water enema should be done every day to cleanse the intestines
throughout fasting.
After the juice fast, the patient should consume an ideal diet made up of three fundamental food groups: I seeds, nuts, and grains, (ii) vegetables
and, (iii) fruits, with a focus on raw foods.
Plenty of raw and sprouted seeds and nuts should be utilized. Cold-pressed vegetable oils, particularly safflower oil, flax seed oil, and olive oil
should be used routinely.
Further, shorter fasts on juices may be done at intervals of three
months or so, depending on the progress being achieved.
The patient should have numerous little meals instead of a few large
ones. He must stop consuming all hydrogenated fats and excess saturated fats like
butter, cream, ghee, and animal fat.
He should also avoid meat, salt, and other refined and processed meals,
condiments, sauces, pickles, strong tea, coffee, white sugar, white flour, and
any goods manufactured from them.
Foods cooked on aluminum and
copper utensils should not be ingested since hazardous metals reaching the body
can be deposited on the walls of the blood vessels.
Smoking, if habitual, should be given up as smoking constricts the
arteries and aggravates the disease.
Recent research has demonstrated that garlic and onions have a
preventative impact on the development of arteriosclerosis.
Vitamin C has also been useful as it assists in the conversion of
cholesterol into bile acids.
One of the most effective home treatments for arteriosclerosis is lemon
peel. It is regarded to be one of the richest known sources of vitamin P. It
strengthens the whole arterial system.
Shredded lemon peel may be used in soups and stews, or sprinkled over
salads.
To prepare a medicine, the peel of one or two lemons may be chopped up
finely, covered with warm water, and allowed to stand for around 12 hours.
An amount equal to a teaspoonful can be consumed every three hours, or just
before or after a meal.
Parsley is another powerful home treatment for arteriosclerosis. It
includes ingredients that assist to maintain the blood vessels, notably the
capillaries and arterial system in a healthy state.
It may be consumed as a beverage by simmering it gently in the water for
a few minutes and partaking many times daily.
Beet juice has also been beneficial in arteriosclerosis. It is a
great solvent for inorganic calcium deposits. Juices of carrot and spinach are
also useful.
You can consume these juices individually or in combination with each
other. Formula proportions proven useful when used in conjunction are carrot
300 m.l. and spinach 200 m.l. to create 500 m.l. of juice.
The patient should perform lots of outdoor activities and erase any mental
tension and worries. Long neutral immersion baths at bedtime on alternating
days are good.
This bath is provided in a bath tub which should be adequately supplied
with hot and cold water connection.
The bathtub should be supplied with water at a temperature range from
92 o to 98 o F and the patient should recline in it for an hour or so. The head
should be kept cool with a cold compress.