Much research has occurred in the last 20 years regarding natural methods and products that are effective in treating, reversing or preventing arteriosclerosis and heart disease.
The following is a short list inclusive of research, of some of these products and protocols.
Vitamins and supplements that may be helpful
There are eight different vitamin E’s, 4 tocopherols and 4 tocotrienols. It has been suggested that tocotrienols have between 30 and 60 times the antioxidant value of tocopherols. One double blind human study reported a dramatic reduction in cholesterol oxidation over 12 months with the administration of 200 mg per day of tocotrienols. It is reported that there was even a reduction in the size of the atherosclerotic plaque in the carotid artery with the use of this dosage level.
A common dosage would be between 400 and 800 international units per day.
1. Suarna C, Hood RL, Dean RT, Stocker R. Comparative antioxidant activity of tocotrienols and other natural lipid-soluble antioxidants in a homogeneous system, and in rat and human lipoproteins. Biochim Biophys Acta 1993;1166:163–70.
2. Tomeo AC, Geller M, Watkins TR, et al. Antioxidant effects of tocotrienols in patients with hyperlipidemia and carotid stenosis. Lipids 1995;30:1179–83.
A diet rich in omega 3 fatty acids is associated with reduction in the occurrence of atherosclerosis and heart disease in many studies. 20- 25 A reduction in the size of the plaque was also noted with the use of up to 6 grams a day for 3 months with the dosage halved to 3 grams a day for 21 months.
1. Ando M, Sanaka T, Nihei H. Eicosapentanoic acid reduces plasma levels of remnant lipoproteins and prevents in vivo peroxidation of LDL in dialysis patients. J Am Soc Nephrol 1999;10:2177–84.
2. Olszewski AJ, McCully KS. Fish oil decreases serum homocysteine in hyperlipemic men. Coron Artery Dis 1993;4:53–60.
3. Phillipson BE, Rothrock DW, Connor WE, et al. Reduction of plasma lipids, lipoproteins, and apoproteins by dietary fish oils in patients with hypertriglyceridemia. N Engl J Med 1985;312:1210–6.
4. Haglund O, Wallin R, Luostarinen R, Saldeen T. Effects of a new fluid fish oil concentrate, ESKIMO-3, on triglycerides, cholesterol, fibrinogen and blood pressure. J Intern Med 1990;227:347–53.
5. Haglund O, Luostarinen R, Wallin W, Saldeen T. Effects of fish oil on triglycerides, lipoprotein(a), atherogenic index and fibrinogen. Influence of the degree of purification of the oil. Nutr Res 1992;12:455–68.
6. Haglund O, Luostarinen R, Wallin R, et al. The effects of fish oil on triglycerides, cholesterol, fibrinogen and malondialdehyde in humans supplemented with vitamin E. J Nutr 1991;121:165–9.
Vitamin C prevents oxidation of LDL and also has a favourable effect on levels of homocysteine found in the blood.
Many health professionals suggest a dosage of 1 gram per day despite the fact that research does not support the use of more than 500 mg per day.
1. Chambers JC, McGregor A, Jean-Marie J, et al. Demonstration of rapid onset vascular endothelial dysfunction after hyperhomocysteinemia. An effect reversible with vitamin C therapy. Circulation 1999;99:1156–60.
2. Frei B. Ascorbic acid protects lipids in human plasma and low-density lipoprotein against oxidative damage. Am J Clin Nutr 1991;54:1113S–8S.
3. Balz F. Antioxidant Vitamins and Heart Disease. Presented at the 60th Annual Biology Colloquium, Oregon State University, February 25, 1999.
4. Salonen JT, Nyyssönen K, Salonen R, et al. Antioxidant supplementation in atherosclerosis prevention (ASAP) study: a randomized trial of the effect of vitamin E and C on 3-year progression of carotid atherosclerosis. J Intern Med 2000;248:177–86.
The use of these three B vitamins is associated with the reduction in total homocysteine levels in the blood. 30, 31
Although various studies have used different dosage in the course of their investigations, an effective dose seems to be 50 mg of vitamin B6, 100–300 mcg of vitamin B12, and 500–800 mcg of folic acid.
Changing diet appears not to affect levels of levels of homocysteine in the blood.
1. Ubbink JB, Hayward WJ, van der Merwe A, et al. Vitamin requirements for the treatment of hyperhomocysteinemia in humans. J Nutr 1994;124:1927–33.
2. Manson JB, Miller JW. The effects of vitamin B12, B6, and folate on blood homocysteine levels. Ann NY Acad Sci 1992;669:197–204 [review].
3. Ubbink JB, Vermaak WJH, van der Merwe A, et al. Vitamin requirements for the treatment of hyperhomocysteinemia in humans. J Nutr 1994;124:1927–33.
The flavonoid quercetin in dosages as low as 35 mg per day has been found in preliminary studies to lower the risk of heart disease however not all research corroborates this result.
1. Hertog MGL, Feskens EJM, Hollman PCH, et al. Dietary antioxidant flavonoids and risk of coronary heart disease: the Zutphen Elderly Study. Lancet 1993;342:1007–11.
2. Hertog MGL, Kromhout D, Aravanis C, et al. Flavonoid intake and long-term risk of coronary heart disease and cancer in the Seven Countries Study. Arch Intern Med 1995;155:381–6.
3. Knekt P, Jarvinen R, Reunanen A, Maatela J. Flavonoid intake and coronary mortality in Finland: a cohort study. BMJ 1996;312:478–81.
4. Rimm EB, Katan MB, Ascherio A, et al. Relation between intake of flavonoids and risk for coronary heart disease in male health professionals. Ann Intern Med 1996; 125:384–9.
5. Hertog MGL, Sweetnam PM, Fehily AM, et al. Antioxidant flavonols and ischemic heart disease in a Welsh population of men: the Caerphilly Study. Am J Clin Nutr 1997;65:1489–94.
Evening Primrose Oil used in low levels such as 2 grams per day appears to not have much affect; however in higher doses such as 3 - 4 grams per day, double blind research has reported a lowering of cholesterol levels which can have a positive effect on formation of atherosclerotic plaquing
1. Boberg M, Vessby B, Selinus I. Effects of dietary supplementation with n-6 and n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids on serum lipoproteins and platelet function in hypertriglcyeridaemic patients. Acta Med Scand 1986;220:153–60.
2. Horrobin DF, Manku MS. How do polyunsaturated fatty acids lower plasma cholesterol levels? Lipids 1983;558–62.
Recent preliminary animal research suggests that chondroitin sulfate can prevent atherosclerosis and may reduce the effects of or prevent heart attacks in atherosclerotic patients
1. Morrison LM, Branwood AW, Ershoff BH, et al. The prevention of coronary arteriosclerotic heart disease with chondroitin sulfate A: Preliminary report. Exp Med Surg 1969;27:278–89.
2. Morrison LM, Enrick NL. Coronary heart disease: Reduction of death rate by chondroitin sulfate A. Angiology 1973;24:269–82.
As mentioned before, resveratrol found in red wine due to its antioxidant activity may provide antioxidant protection to various parts of the bloodstream including cholesterol.
1. Bertelli AA, Giovanninni L, Bernini W, et al. Antiplatelet activity of cis-resveratrol. Drugs Exp Clin Res 1996;22(2):61–3.
2. Chen CK, Pace-Asciak. CR. Vasorelaxing activity of resveratrol and quercetin in isolated rat aorta. Gen Pharm 1996;27(2):363–6.
3. Pace-Asciak CR, Rounova O, Hahn SE, et al. Wines and grape juices as modulators of platelet aggregation in healthy human subjects. Clin Chim Acta 1996;246(1–2):163–82.
Acting in much the same way as plavix, a pharmaceutical drug used as an anticoagulant, nattokinase is a making a mark as a potential new treatment for poor circulation and heart attack prevention. This extract of soybeans derived from natto, a fermented soybean dish, has been the subject of several recent studies and has shown great promise for increasing overall circulation and reducing the thickness of blood through reduction of platelet aggregation and reducing the thickness of the intima, the innermost layer of blood vessels
1. Suzuki Y, Kondo K, et al. Dietary supplementation with fermented soybeans suppresses intimal thickening. Nutrition. 2003 Mar;19(3):261-4.
2. Fugita M, Hong K, et al.Thrombolytic effect of nattokinase on a chemically induced thrombosis model in rat. Biol Pharm Bull. 1995 Oct;18(10):1387-91.
3. Sumi H, Hamada H, et al. Enhancement of the fibrinolytic activity in plasma by oral administration of nattokinase. Acta Haematol. 1990;84(3):139-43.
This carotenoid found in large amounts in tomatoes may have a protective role in atherosclerosis especially if you’re a smoker. Although there’s no correlation between this carotenoid blood levels of other carotenoids such as beta carotene as far as atherosclerotic plaque is concerned, research still suggests that lycopene may have benefit. 1
1. Klipstein-Grobusch K, Launer LJ, Geleijnse JM, et al. Serum carotenoids and atherosclerosis. The Rotterdam Study. Atherosclerosis 2000;148:49–56.
