Diet Related Risk Factors For Atherosclerosis

Irregular or disorderly diet/eating habits have always been a major issue in any type of disease. Atherosclerosis is not an exception to it.


In atherosclerosis, blood flow in any part of the body can be obstructed due to the deposition of cellular wastes, fibrin and fatty substances. This deposition creates plaques, causing less flow of blood through the arteries. This deposition in the inner wall of the arteries is significantly associated with the food habits of an individual.


Basically there are two types of risk factors responsible for atherosclerosis. One is modifiable and the other is non-modifiable. Age, sex and heredity are non modifiable risk factors but diet as usual is the modifiable risk factor. An individual taking care of his diet can always reduce the chances of the atherosclerosis to grab him. Although this disease is non-symptomatic and strikes at the adolescent stage but a restrained and balanced diet can always be helpful in preventing the severity of this disease after 50s or 60s.


Risk factors associated with diet comprises high concentration of serum cholesterol, lower level of good cholesterol, high blood pressure and high blood sugar level. People having diabetes or high blood sugar level are three times more prone to atherosclerosis than those without diabetes. Anti-oxidants and enzymes like glutathione peroxidase counter the harmful effects of oxygen species which form oxidized bad cholesterol (responsible for the progression of atherosclerosis).


Choosing proper diet containing antioxidant vitamins may always be helpful in reducing the risk of atherosclerosis. Traditional Mediterranean diet has been found to be effective in balancing oxidative stress but clinical trial of antioxidant was not found effective in atherosclerosis.


Patients suffering from this disease are usually advised to take hemp seeds, flax seeds, pumpkin seeds. These eatables reduce the inflammation in arteries and thus facilitate the smooth flow of blood. According to a published report, food containing omega-3 fatty acid might lower the level of triglyceride. It also improves the cells of heart and arteries and they function properly. It reduces the chances of aggregation of cells. Moreover garlic, turmeric, ginger, fresh fruits and green salads have always been found to be good for heart patients.