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Arteriosclerosis is one of the most common
diseases of the blood vessels. It refers to a thickening
of the walls of the arteries due to the presence of
calcium or lime. It has become a common ailment in modern
times, accounting for much of the disability and high
death rate among older people.
Arteriosclerosis is usually preceded by atherosclerosis,
a kind of degeneration or softening of the inner lining
of the blood vessel walls. The most risky places for such
degeneration are the coronary vessels of the heart and
the arteries leading to the brain. Arteriosclerosis
results in the loss of elasticity of the blood vessels,
with a narrowing of the smaller arteries, which
interferes with the free circulation of the blood. These
changes may gradually extend to capillaries and veins.
Arteriosclerosis is more frequent in men than women,
especially in the younger age group. It has been
estimated that 40 per cent of all men over 40 years of
age have a significant degree of obstruction of their
coronary arteries and this can lead to a heart attack at
any time. Symptoms
The symptoms
of arteriosclerosis vary with the arteries involved.
Signs of inadequate blood supply generally appear first
in the legs. There may be numbness and coldness in the
feet and cramps and pains in the legs even after light
exercise. If the coronary arteries are involved, the
patient may have sharp pains, characteristic of angina
pectoris. When arteries leading to the brain are
involved, the vessel may burst, causing haemorrhage in
the brain tissues. A cerebral vascular stroke, with
partial or complete paralysis of one side of the body may
result, if there is blockage with a blood clot. It may
also lead to loss of memory and a confused state of mind
in elderly people. If arteries leading to the kidneys are
involved, the patient may suffer from high blood pressure
and kidney disorders.
Causes
The most
important cause of arteriosclerosis is excessive intake
of white sugar, refined foods and a diet high in fat,
i.e. rich in cholesterol. A sedentary life and ex- cesses
of all kinds are the major contributing causes. Hardening
of the arteries may also be caused by other diseases such
as high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, rheumatism,
Bright’s disease, malaria and syphillis. Emotional
stress also plays an important part, and heart attacks
are more common during periods of mental and emotional
disturbances, particularly in those engaged in sedentary
occupations. Heredity also plays its role and this
disease runs in families.
Dietary
Treatment
If the causes
of arteriosclerosis are known, remedial action should be
taken promptly to remove them. To begin with, the patient
should resort to a short juice fast for five to seven
days. All available fresh, raw vegetable and fruit juices
in season may be taken. Grapefruit juice, pineapple
juice, lemon juice and juices of green vegetables are
specially beneficial. A warm water enema should be used
daily to cleanse the bowels during the period of fasting.
After the juice fast, patient should follow a diet made
up of the three basic food groups, namely, seeds, nuts
and grains, vegetables and fruits, with emphasis on raw
foods. Plenty of raw and sprouted seeds and nuts should
be used. Cold pressed vegetable oils, particularly
safflower oil, flax seed oil and olive oil should be used
regularly. Further short fasts on juices may be
undertaken at intervals of three months or so, depending
on the progress being made.
The patient should take several small meals instead of a
few large ones. He should avoid all hydrogenerated fats
and an excess of saturated fats, such as butter, cream,
ghee and animal fat. He should also avoid meat, salt and
all refined and processed foods, condiments, sauces,
pickles, strong tea, coffee, white sugar, white flour,
and all products made with them. Foods cooked in
aluminium and copper utensils should not be taken, as
toxic metals entering the body are known to be deposited
on the walls of the aorta and the arteries. Smoking, if
habitual, should be given up as smoking constricts the
arteries and aggravates the condition.
Recent investigations have shown that garlic and onions
have a preventive effect on the development of
arteriosclerosis. Vitamin C has also proved beneficial as
it helps in the conversion of cholesterol into bile
acids.
The patient should undertake plenty of outdoor exercise
and eliminate all mental stress and worries. Warm baths
or carefully graduated cold baths are helpful. Prolonged
neutral immersion baths at bed time on alternate days are
also beneficial.
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