About half of Americans over the age of 45 have atherosclerosis and do not know it. In the country, diseases related to atherosclerosis are the leading cause of death. Atherosclerosis is a disease in which plaque forms inside the arteries. The plaque is made up of fats, cholesterol, calcium, and other substances found in the blood. Over time, the plaque hardens and narrows the arteries, which limits the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the organs and other parts of the body. Atherosclerosis can affect most of the body's arteries, including the arteries of the heart, brain, arms, legs, pelvis, and kidneys.
The arteries are lined on the inside by a very thin layer of cells, known as the endothelium, which performs very important functions such as regulating our blood pressure and maintaining normal blood flow. Under certain circumstances, the endothelium starts to function poorly, which is known as Endothelial Dysfunction. Among the causes that can precipitate this dysfunction are, among others: Oxidative Stress. Cells have the ability to respond to stimuli to which they are subjected. In an endothelial cell, such a stimulus can be the mechanical energy of the turbulence and friction forces generated by the blood flow of the vessels, arteries, and veins; often the cellular response can be of a pathological nature. The nature of the endothelium is highly heterogeneous because each endothelial cell will respond according to the specific stimulus to which it is subjected. When endothelial cells lose their regulatory capacity in the face of chronic aggression, it is called Endothelial Dysfunction. In the areas where an atheroma plaque will develop, endothelial cells are activated to a pro-inflammatory state. The inflammatory response begins with a state of ischemia-reperfusion and edema, which favor nutrition in a non-aerobic environment to produce energy but promote the generation of more free radicals at the site. The endothelial dysfunction that originates from oxidative stress leads to an increase in permeability to fatty products such as LDL cholesterol, which can now cross it. Here, these oxidized LDL cholesterols stimulate other cells that are responsible for our defense, the Macrophages, to ingest them to eliminate them, but this really initiates an inflammatory response; more defense cells are attracted to the place and substances are released, and Free Radicals that worsen the evolution of atherosclerosis. The net result is that a lesion is produced that rises within the artery, decreasing the space or lumen through which the blood circulates. The lesion that forms is known as an atheromatous plaque or atheroma. These plaques or atheroma can be stable, growing and obstructing the artery's lumen without breaking. Another type of plaque, known as unstable plaques, can break inside a blood vessel, exposing the inner fibers of the artery, triggering the formation of a thrombus (clot) that will acutely obstruct the artery. Depending on the location of the lesion, the manifestations will vary. If the process occurred in a coronary artery, which irrigates the heart, the result will be a myocardial infarction; if it is a cerebral artery, it will be a cerebrovascular accident. All the cells whose oxygenation and nutrition depend on the obstructed artery will die, and from there the size and consequences of the lesion. Atherosclerosis is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the developed world. Due to the fact that free radicals and the generation of oxidized LDL cholesterol are the main contributors to the progression of atherosclerosis, dietary antioxidant supplements represent a good strategy to prevent the progression of the disease. The mechanisms through which antioxidants would help in the prevention or slowing of atherosclerosis are several: the inhibition of the oxidation of LDL cholesterol, the reduction of the free radicals that are generated, the inhibition of the secretion of inflammatory cytokines, the prevention of the formation of atherosclerotic plaque and platelet aggregation, the prevention of the infiltration of mononuclear cells, the improvement of endothelial dysfunction and vasodilation, among others. Against atherosclerosis, the best strategy is to prevent it. Eliminating harmful habits (smoking, alcohol, sedentary lifestyle) along with improving the quality of the daily diet by supplementing it with a potent nano-formulated antioxidant like GranaGard® is the best option.Free Shipping | Subscribe and save 10%
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