The status of cardiovascular health is regulated by endothelium - the innermost lining (layer) of arteries. The endothelial cells control the elasticity - relaxation and tightening - of blood vessels (the more elastic the arteries, the better).
However, subsequent dysfunction of the endothelium plays a central role in the process of arterial fatty plaque formation, leading to the development of atherosclerosis.
The endothelial function can be measured now. A relatively new test, called FMD - flow mediated dilation, can be done by stopping blood flow to the lower arm with a blood pressure cuff, releasing it, and measuring the blood vessel diameter of an artery with ultrasound.
In the processs of atherosclerosis then, arterial walls - especially the aorta and the coronary arteries serving the heart - become covered with fatty plaques, called atheromas that keep on enlarging.
Arterial Plaque Formation
Although arterial plaque formation my be triggered by many factors, they all relate to:
The injury to endothelial cells - the innermost lining (or layer) of an artery, triggers the response of blood cells called platelets to accumulate at the site of injury, in an effort to plug the damaged area.
The sticking together platelets secrete a growth factor that stimulates the outgrowth of underlaying endothelial cells. These cells then begin to protrude into the arterial wall.
Through specific receptors, the outgrown endothelial cells:
- ingest lipoprotein particles and
- accumulate cholesterol and triacylglyceroles (triglycerides), transforming themselves into plaque - fat-engorged foam cells.
Finally, connective tissue penetrates the plaque, which in advanced situations can become calcified and, consequently, add rigidity to the blockage (occlusion).
Atherosclerotic plaque formation is an overly aggressive homeostatic process in order to correct and balance the condition triggered by the arterial endothelial injury. This process occurs as long as there is a presence of platelet accumulation function.
There is one kind of harmful, oxidative agents of significant importance that initiate the endothelial injury leading to atherial plaque formation, called free radicals.
Oxidative Free Radical Damage
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Free radicals, also called reactive oxygen species (ROS), are highly unstable molecular fragments - both of internal and external origin. They are being constantly released in the body, whenever we are exposed to harmful, both dietary and environmental factors, such as |
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Free-Radical Scavenging System
As our cardiosvascular system is highly susceptible to free radical damage, antioxidants are of incredible help here. By neutralizing and "mopping up" free radicals in the body, antioxidants play a key role in slowing down the process of atheromatous plaque formation.
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© 1998-2005 Atherosclerosis Controlled Naturally. Arterial Cleansing Formula - Reverse Atherosclerosis Without Drugs or Surgery. All rights reserved worldwide. This document may not be copied in part or full without express written permission from the publisher. The information on atherosclerosis and nutrition provided herein is a general overview on this topic and may not apply to everyone, therefore, it should not be used for diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. While reasonable effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information on reversing atherosclerosis, Full of Health Inc. assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions, or for damages resulting from use of the atheroscleosis information herein.