Although hypertension increases risk for cardiovascular disease and stroke, may initiate and definitely exacerbates atherosclerosis, atherosclerosis may precede high blood pressure - and the resulting narrowed arteries do increase blood pressure.

(According to public health agencies in the U.S., a standard drink is defined as any serving of an alcoholic beverage that contains approximately 14 grams of ethyl alcohol. This amount of alcohol is found in a 12 oz serving of beer; a “shot glass” - 1.5 oz serving of hard liquor, such as vodka, scotch, vermouth, brandy, bourbon, rum, etc.; or a 5 oz. glass of wine).

While some of the causes of high blood pressure are outside our control, the truth is that in 90 to 95 percent of cases, high blood pressure can be reduced by addressing the dietary and lifestyle indiscretions (habits).

Multiple Nutritional Deficiencies
Hypertension has been linked to deficiencies of many nutrients. Foremost among these are electrolyte minerals, such as

• calcium,
• magnesium,
• potassium.

Also antioxidant deficiencies contribute to high blood pressure, such as inadequate levels of:

• vitamin A,
• beta-carotene,
• vitamin C,
• vitamin E, and
• selenium.

These antioxidant nutrients negate the harmful effects of free radicals on the arteries. In this way they protect against the development of hypertension (free radicals damage the endothelium, or lining of the arteries, decreasing their elasticity and responsiveness to chemical signals to relax or contract).

Antioxidants have also a stimulating and protective impact on the body's supply of nitric oxide. This important endothelium-derived agent, produced by the innermost lining of an artery, is responsbile for relaxing of blood vessels.

In hypertension have also been implicated deficiencies of B-complex vitamins, particularly:

• vitamin B-12,
• folic acid, and
• vitamin B-6.

These nutrients are important in the clearance of homocysteine, a toxic by-product of the metatoblism of protein, recognized as a significant risk factor for atherosclerosis. Definitely, there is a the cause-effect relationship between elevated blood levels of homocysteine and hypertension.

Undiagnosed Allergies
In many people, an important role in developing of high blood pressure play undiagnosed foord allergies. Usually neglected by medical doctors, hidden allergies or sensitivities to foods are one of the most underestimated causes of hypertension!

Many hypertensive people, experiencing any kind of adverse reaction to foods, especially to processed milk products, do not even realize that it could be the underlying cause of their elevated blood pressure.

Only when these dietary culprits are tracked down and, then, eliminated, many "unsolved" high blood pressure cases can be corrected.

As multiple nutritional deficiencies have been implicated in the genesis of arterial damage and, by association, hypertension, only optimum nutrition can boost the body chemistry, helping the cells to

• receive more vital nutrients - nourishment needed for their optimal function (and survival), and
• undergo the ongoing process of detoxification - an essential factor in preventing and fighting all health problems.

In most people, raised insulin levels are caused by sugars and processed grains that break down to sugar, such as:

• bread,
• pasta,
• rice,
• potatoes,
• beans,
• cookies,
• cakes,
• cereals.

Elevated insulin levels then cause the blood pressure to go up. Therefore, dietary and lifestyle changes are central in controlling hypertension.

Very Low Systolic Blood Pressure
However, studies have shown that as high systolic blood pressure (of 145 mm Hg and higher) increases risk for cardiovascular disease and stroke, very low systolic blood pressure (below 125 mm Hg) can increase - mainly in men over 65 - risk for non-cardiac conditions, such as respiratory disease and cancer.

As many as 50 percent of people with diabetes have a narrowing of the arteries supplying blood to the legs - a condition called peripheral vascular disease (PVD).

If the blood vessels to a portion of the legs or, more commonly, part of the feet become totally blocked, then the part of the body supplied by those blood vessels dies and gangrene occurs.

You are at risk for this syndrome if you have these symptoms:

• increased weight,
• high blood pressure,
• high blood cholesterol.

You are considered pre-diabetic if your fasting blood sugar level is between 110 mg/dl and 125 mg/dl (diabetes is formally diagnosed at 126 mg/dl).

Usually, most diabetics:

• lack the essential nutrients necessary for the proper function of their heavily overworked organs, especially the pancreas, liver and adrenal glands
• have underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), a disorder resulting in many health problems, such as frequent infections (such as candidiasis) or complications in pregnancy.

In general, nine out of ten cases of type 2 diabetes could be prevented - if people

Because of that, Lp (a) - assembled from LDL-"bad" cholesterol (!) - has a direct impact on the development of atherosclerosis. It is able to:

• bind to fibrin clots in the injured arterial endothelium (the innermost lining of arteries) and, therefore,
• deliver cholesterol to that region in order to heal the wound. In this way, it contributes to the formation of fatty plaques (atheromas).

From that perspective, the role of this little-known killer component of LDL-'bad' cholesterol in atherogenesis can be both

• long-term, due to its lipoprotein properties, and
• short-term, due to its fibrin-binding properties (it may cause the sudden - and more dangerous - development of arterial blood clots).

Know Your Blood Lp(a) Levels
Keep in mind that the Lp (a) fat globule - one of the stickiest particles in the body - is a ten-fold greater risk factor for atherosclerosis than total cholesterol or LDL-"bad" cholesterol.

In adults, blood lipoprotein (a) levels

• less than 10 mg/dL are considered "acceptable",
• 11-24 mg/dL - "borderline high",
• higher than 25 mg/dL - "very high."

So, if you have not checked your lipoprotein (a) yet, do it at your next physical checkup. And do not be afraid to ask your doctor for it! Very few physicians ever check for it (in heart patients, it should be routinely screened).

Standard Medical Treatment
Lp (a) has not had enough attention from medical researchers. Therefore, standard medicine has not discovered any specific drugs to lower Lp (a) yet.

It has been even said that very little could be done to modify Lp (a) levels - because these blood levels are 95 per cent determined by... genetics. Fortunately, this statement is patently false.

Even a drug called Niaspan® - approved in the United States by FDA in 1999 for increasing HDL-"good" cholesterol levels - has shown to have a positive effect on lowering Lp (a) levels.

However, there is an important nutritional component in this drug. Its active ingredient is... niacin (vitamin B3).

Unfortunatley, taking Niaspan® has also side effects, such as:

• flushing, which is characterized by redness, tingling, or itching that typically occurs on the face, neck, chest, and back,
• upset stomach, and
• rash.

Niaspan® is not recommended, if you have:

• active liver disease (or a past history of liver or kidney disease),
• peptic ulcers, and
• arterial bleeding.

The Nutritional Therapy
Modifying blood lipoprotein (a), or Lp (a) levels is not easy - but it can be done nutritionally. In our clinical experience, the nutritional arterial cleansing formula has shown a strong lowering effect on the blood concentration of Lp (a) as documented in the following testimonial:

Dear Sirs: I am very pleased to be able to report favorable results from your arterial cleansing formula. My heart problem was a high (and considerably dangerous) level of Lipoprotein (a). A year and a half ago, it was 38 mg/dL. I did, and continue to do, a number of things, including Niaspan, which after 6 months reduced it to a level of 23-24, where it remained for 9 months. Then I began the Formula, and after 3 ½ months the Lp (a) dripped to 18, which is now below the Berkeley HeartLab: good < 20. This is indeed very encouraging. I am enclosing a copy of the Berkeley test results for these periods. And, of course, I plan to continue with the arterial cleansing formula and will let you know the results of future tests. Sincerely, Will Blaney [Houston, Texas] * This testimonial is a true, documented story. It has been reviewed by Full of Health; however, it is the sole opinion of the listed individual.

Toxic buildup of homocysteine becomes especially harmful to the blood vessel walls. It damages the artery and then oxidizes cholesterol before cholesterol infiltrates into the artery. In this way, homocysteine precedes the creation of atheromatous plaque.

Therefore, homocysteine toxicity can explain many observations and has much more clear-cut scientific evidence than cholesterol-as-cause theory of atherosclerosis.

As a natural substance (amino acid) made by the body, homocysteine has an impact on various conditions and areas of our health. It affects the metabolism of key enzymes, hormones, and nutrients vital to our system.

However, homocysteine can play both positive and negative roles in the body.

Its beneficial influence takes place only when this homocysteine is broken down completely in the body. Unfortunately, many people lack this ability, creating a gradual homocysteine buildup in the body.

At this point, homocysteine becomes a dangerous substance that can exert harmful effects.

Know Your Homocysteine Blood Levels
You should know your homocysteine blood levels, as it is quite possible that you have a problem with this natural and necessary, yet dangerous amino acid, especially if you:

• have a stressful lifestyle (who doesn't?), or
• have poor eating and/or cooking habits; or
• do not exercise enough or too much, or
• take prescription drugs regularly

So, if you have not checked your homocysteine yet, do it at your next physical checkup. And, again, do not be afraid to ask your doctor for it!

Considering the amount of commercial "junk" or processed commercial food we tend to eat every day, there is an increased possibility of a homocysteine buildup in everyone's body.

Fortunately, the science of nutrition has an answer. Numerous scientific medical studies have shown that several vitamins, particularly B6, B12 and folic acid (folacin), can reduce blood levels of homocysteine.

A new "functional intact fibrinogen" (FiF) diagnostic test has been developed to measure blood levels of fibrinogen - a protein synthesized by the liver, necessary for normal blood clotting.

Studies have shown that high fibrinogen levels can increase a risk of cardiovascular disease up to threefold; therefore, this variable, but independent, blood parametershould be considered in the process of developing atherosclerosis (Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association October 3, 2000).

Hopefully, availibility of the functional intact fibrinogen test will convince more doctors to check this important predictor of heart disease.

Unfortunately, the "cholesterol-as-cause" hypothesis doesn't explain many observations and lacks clear-cut scientific evidence; however, it's still a popular theory that clouds the picture of atherosclerosis.

It's commonly known that the cholesterol-lowering prescription drugs:

LDL-"bad cholesterol" carries cholesterol for cell building needs, but leaves behind any excess on artery walls and in tissues.

HDL-"good cholesterol" helps to prevent narrowing of the artery walls by removing the excess cholesterol and transporting it to the liver for excretion.

High LDL and low HDL levels indicate diets high in refined carbohydrates and/or carbohydrate sensitivity.

Cholesterol is so vital to our body that it cannot rely on food sources alone for it. Therefore, less than 20 percent of total cholesterol comes from diet; the balance is being manufactured by the body.

Thus, trying to reduce our consumption of traditional cholesterol-laden foods, including butter, cream, cheese, eggs, and meat, may be an exercise in futility.

It has been known for many years that very large doses of cholesterol lead to... a decreased percentage of its absorption. However, considerable variation is seen in absorption from person to person, and the ranges vary five-fold.

Unfortunately, there are no lab tests to predict if you absorb a lot or very little cholesterol. The fact is that the average absorption is clearly decreased at usual cholesterol intake. This could explain why studies with feeding eggs every day to volunteers have shown almost no effect on serum cholesterol levels (Journal of Lipid Research, August 1999).

Elevated cholesterol levels may be also due to other contributing factors, such as... gallstones. Three out of four gallstones are made of cholesterol and their presence can cause oversecretion of cholesterol by the liver!

Fairly common on the eyelids, xanthomas are yellow, soft and slightly raised non-contagious bumps made of cholesterol deposits. They occur both in men (33 per cent) and women (40 per cent) who have elevated cholesterol levels.

Another sign of high cholesterol levels in the blood are xanthelasma - yellow patches on the eyelids, common in diabetics.

The cardiovascular system is highly susceptible to free radical attack. As a matter of fact, the oxidation from free radicals seems to be much more important than cholesterol as a risk factor for atherosclerosis (cholesterol has to be oxidized before it becomes a problem).

For some reason, the lining of our blood vessels appears to have no receptors for normal cholesterol, only for -- oxidized, damaged cholesterol.

Medical establishments tend to overlook the fact that total cholesterol plays an important role in the body as a potent antioxidant. It scavenges and, therefore, protects the body against free radicals - harmful oxidative agents known to cause the arterial plaque formation.

However, most of oxidized cholesterol comes directly from consumption of devitalized, processed, fabricated 'food items,' including:

A deciliter (dL) is 1/10 of a liter or about 1/4 of a pint. A mole is an amount of a substance (in this case, cholesterol) that contains a certain number of molecules or atoms. A millimole (mmol) is 1/1,000 of a mole.

Total cholesterol levels:

• less than 200 mg/dL (5.17 mmol/L) is considered desirable
• 200 mg/dL - 239 mg/dL (5.17 mmol/L - 6.18 mmol/L) - borderline-high
• 240 mg/dL and above (6.21 mmol/L and higher) is considered high.

LDL-"bad" cholesterol levels:

• less than 100 mg/dL (less than 2.6 mmol/L) is considered optimal
• 100 mg/dL - 129 mg/dL (2.6 mmol/L - 3.35 mmol/L) - near optimal or above optimal
• 130 mg/dL - 159 mg/dL (3.35 mmol/L - 4.10 mmol/L) - borderline high
• 160 mg/dL - 189 mg/dL (4.12 mmol/L - 4.88 mmol/L) - high
• 190 and above (4.90 mmol/L and greater) is considered very high.

HDL-"good" cholesterol levels:

• 60 mg/dL (1.56 mmol/L) or higher is considered desirable (it reduces the risk of heart disease, even if total or LDL cholesterol is high)
• 40 mg/dL - 60 mg/dL (1.04 mmol/L - 1.56 mmol/L) - acceptable
• below 40 mg/dL (1.04 mmol/L) is considered low (it increases the risk for coronary artery disease in people who also have high total cholesterol levels).

Too Low Total Cholesterol Levels: Too Low:
The view that 'the lower the total cholesterol, the better' is not always true!

At level under 150, you can be at a risk of... too low cholesterol. This condition may cause suboptimal function of such steroid hormones as pregnenolone, DHEA, testosterone, progesterone and estrogen - and result in ... depression and other health problems.

However, some doctors - in order to slower the progression of atherosclerosis in bypass grafts - advise their bypass patients to lower their LDL-cholesterol levels to... 100mg/dL or even below! (The New England Journal of Medicine, January 16, 1997)

Too Low HDL-"Good" Cholesterol Levels:
Low levels of HDL-"good" cholesterol are a strong indicator of insulin resistance. An HDL cholesterol level of under 35 is another risk factor for heart disease and is part of the insulin resistance syndrome, especially if found in conjunction with:

HDL-"good" cholesterol/total cholesterol ratio:

• in adults, it should be higher than 24 percent (just divide your HDL level by your cholesterol). And, generally speaking, the higher the ratio, the better.

Triglyceride/HDL-"good" cholesterol ratio:

• in adults, it should be below 2 (just divide your triglycerides level by your HDL). And, generally speaking, the lower the ratio, the better.

When this specific mega-combination comes into contact with the bloodstream, it reaches the inflamed arteries which have been injured by oxidative free radicals. (These free radicals are present in excessive amounts in the body, mainly due to past or present dietary and lifestyle indiscretions.)

The primary purpose of this method is to initiate self-healing processes in the innermost part of arterial lining (endothelium). In this way, over a period of time the accumulated buildup of fatty plaques in damaged arteries begins gradually to cease.

You can see an estimated 50 percent reduction of life-threatening arterial plaque buildup in the carotid artery as a result of a six-month trial of the nutritional arterial cleansing. What an amazing visual proof!

Indeed, a picture is worth a thousand words...

What sets it apart from conventional medical methods is that the nutritional arterial cleansing - by keeping atherosclerotic plaques in solution - helps to emulsify and wash them away safely and gradually. In other words, the nutritional method does NOT pull away "chunks of plaque" that could plug up the arteries further downstream!

Why?

Because, by definition, dietary supplements nourish and heal (never destruct!) - a characteristic which is not true for any medicine. It's no wonder, then, the nutritional arterial cleansing helps make the plaques disappear and, at the same time, prevents formation of new atheromas. That's how the body functions and works - by nourishing and healing itself in order to maintain homeostasis and prevent any damage to it.

So if you or a loved one is dealing with this atherosclerosis, it certainly can't hurt to add therapeutic levels of cardioprotective nutrients to your daily regimen.

As soon as you begin improving the flow of oxygen-dense and nutrients-dense blood in the entire cardiovascular tree, you will start experiencing, almost immediately - literally, within weeks ! - such positive changes as:

• an increase in energy;

Palpation of Posterior Tibial Pulse

• pain-free walking;
• reduction in angina (chest pain) attacks;
• warmer hands and feet;
• measurable posterior tibial pulse (peripheral circulation);
• reduction of shaking/trembling in hands, and tingling in hands and/or feet, if any;
• improved mental alertness, cognition and memory;
• less need for sleep;
• better vision, and even
• better skin tone, resulting in a younger look.

The nutritional arterial cleansing - believe it or not! - can even help you improve your functional age (not the same as chronological age!) by adding more active years to your life.

First of all, however, the nutritional arterial cleansing can help you control the atherosclerosis risk factors, such as:

• hypertension,
• high blood levels of
  • lipoprotein (a),
  • homocysteine,
  • fibrinogen,
  • LDL-"bad" cholesterol,
  • triglycerides,
• nutritional deficiencies,
• complications of diabetes.

The nutritional arterial cleansing can help you avoid such consequences of atherosclerosis as:

• coronary artery disease (leading to angina, heart attack, heart failure),
• carotid artery disease (leading to stroke),
• peripheral artery disease (pain in the lower limbs on walking, typically in the calf muscle, a condition called intermittent claudication, leading to foot gangrene and/or amputation),
• restenosis (obstruction of bypass grafts and stents),
• kidney damage,
• "eye stroke",
• erectile dysfunction (in men),
• mesentric ischemia (inadequate blood supply to the small intestine).

The nutritional arterial cleansing can help you avoid the risks of standard medical treatments such as:

• balloon angioplasty,
• stenting,
• endarterectomy,
• vascular bypass (coronary, cerebral, peripheral),
• amputation.

The nutritional arterial cleansing can complement or - in some cases - even replace the invtravenous (IV) chelation therapy. It may also help cut your dependence on medications such as anti-cholesterol drugs, aspirin, blood thinners, diuretics, nitroglycerin, etc.