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Ailments : A-Z |
Arteriosclerosis is a term used to describe a thickening, hardening and loss of
elasticity in arterial walls. Atherosclerosis is the most common form of arteriosclerosis
and involves progressive degeneration of the inner lining of the arteries (especially
where arteries bifurcate) and the laying down of a fatty plaque that covers this
arterial damage. If left untreated, the plaque grows and gradually restricts the
flow of blood. When occlusion reaches close to 100 per cent, or when a floating
embolus (undissolved matter) becomes lodged in a narrowed opening, the blood supply
is suddenly cut off – resulting in a heart attack (myocardial infarction),
stroke, or gangrene –depending on where the restriction occurs.
Ischemia refers to the gradually diminishing blood supply caused by the buildup of arterial plaque. As ischemia progresses in coronary arteries, it can cause angina pectoris. As it progresses in the legs in can cause intermittent claudication. Diabetics are particularly prone to arterial damage and ischemia, making them vulnerable to gangrene and retinopathy. The buildup of plaque is initiated by free radical damage to the artery wall. Free radicals mutate the DNA of arterial cells, causing them to replicate themselves many times over (monoclonal proliferation). The proliferating cells form, in effect, a mini-tumour in the artery wall. This tumour-like growth expands, stretching and tearing the inner lining of the artery. The blood lays down fibrin to patch the tears. Minerals and debris circulating in the blood become trapped in the patch. Because of opposing electromagnetic charges, the trapped minerals attract fats. Finally, a layer of cholesterol is laid down over the patch. This cholesterol serves two purposes: (1) It gives the patch a slippery surface so that blood cells can glide past it, and (2) It acts as an antioxidant of last resort by donating electrons to neutralize free radicals, thus itself becoming oxidized in the process. Cholesterol is the last ingredient in the plaque, not the first. Contrary to popular myth, cholesterol does not cause heart disease. Since 1983, hundreds of thousands of people on two continents have been using a "nutritional bypass" program both to prevent and remove the arterial deposits that are responsible for heart attacks and strokes. "Before" and "after" angiograms and Doppler tests have, in some cases, revealed complete removal of significant arterial blockages within several months of starting the program. Symptoms – such as angina, leg cramps, lack of measurable pulse in the ankles, tingling in the hands, trembling and even gangrene – often disappear within weeks. Blood pressure, cholesterol, triglyceride and homocysteine levels tend to normalize themselves. Many who were scheduled for bypass surgery no longer require it. Many have been able to throw away their diuretics, blood thinners, ASA/aspirin, anti-cholesterol drugs and nitro-glycerin. Included in the Nutritional Bypass program is an arterial cleansing formula, RTRETM, consisting of over 30 vitamins, minerals, lipotropic factors, amino acids and glandular concentrates. This time-tested formulation helps the body to (1) make lipoprotein lipase, an enzyme that dissolves arterial fats, (2) neutralize free radicals before they can cause cellular damage, (3) manufacture T-cells and antibodies to locate and destroy mutated cells before they can proliferate, (4) increase the diameter of blood vessels, (5) improve the flow characteristics of the blood by making it more slippery and less likely to clump up, (6) open collateral blood vessels around obstructions, creating new pathways for blood to reach vital tissues, (7) dissolve blood clots, (8) normalize blood pressure, (9) chelate or remove heavy metals from arterial plaque, (10) reduce homocysteine, and (11) protect vital tissues from oxidative damage. [Further reading: Cardioprotective Nutrition and The Nutritional Bypass.] RTRETM supplies the body with a number of antioxidants. There is also enough vitamin C in this formula to help the body to produce another antioxidant internally – coenzyme Q-10. Most people who take RTRETM will not receive any additional benefit from taking supplemental CoQ-10 – unless they also happen to be on cholesterol-lowering drugs (which deplete CoQ-10). Underlying Theme: Free Radicals. |
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