12 May 2014
ATHEROSCLEROSIS (hardening and narrowing of the arteries) is mainly an inflammatory disorder that is the usual cause of heart attacks, strokes, and peripheral vascular disease – what together are called cardiovascular disease.
Based on today's medical research, the key to understanding cardiovascular disease is to appreciate the roles inflammation plays in promoting this No.1 killer in the world.
Gum disease
The by-products of bacterial from periodontal (gum) disease such as lipopolysaccharides can lead to chronic low-grade inflammation and an increased arterial plaque accumulation.
Research studies have shown that periodontal pathogens could cause local infection and systemic (whole body) inflammation as evidenced by elevated blood markers such as hs-CRP and IL-6.
The J Endod (2009) reported that chronic dental infections could raise one's risk of heart attack.
Periodontitis (inflamed gum) promotes endothelial (artery wall) dysfunction even in people without cardiovascular risk factors since such a condition reduces nitric oxide needed for arterial health.
Furthermore, our body's antioxidant scavengers such as glutathione peroxidase, catalase and SOD are reduced.
H. Pylori infection
Besides promoting a significant percentage of gastric cancer, this bacterium living in both the stomach wall and in the gum can cause endothelial dysfunction.
The principal source of this infection is raw, uncooked fish and from cooked food contaminated with the bacterium.
Hepatitis
The viruses that cause chronic inflammation in the liver can set the stage for systemic low-grade inflammation that adversely affect arterial health.
Vaccination is one way to prevent these liver disorders. Herbs and nutrients beneficial to liver include licorice root containing glycyrrhizin, silybum, schisandra, cordyceps, alpha lipoic acid, artichoke, and L-cysteine.
Hepatitis A is an acute condition spread by a virus from an infected person's faeces to someone's food chain or cooking utensils.
Besides sex, hepatitis B may be transmitted through sweat coming into contact with the damaged skin of another person while sharing household items can even transmit hepatitis C.
Excessive drinking can lead to alcoholic hepatitis, eventually to fatty liver and then cirrhosis (hardening of the liver).
Epstein Barr virus (EBV)
The only symptoms from this viral infection may be chronic fatigue syndrome, nasal or lymph node tumour/cancer.
The incidence of nasal cancer in Malaysia is now one of the highest in the world with EBV infection believed to be a major contributing factor while inappropriate dietary habits help the virus knock out our immune defence.
The dietary aspects include over-consumption of salted or preserved food as well as excessive sugar intake which lowers our general immunity against all infections.
Fungal infection
Systemic fungal over-growth (candidiasis) is widespread in countries with warm and humid climates such as ours.
A large percentage of sore throats may be fungal-based rather than an infection.
Fortunately, nature has its own remedies in the form of herbs, spices, and oils that possess anti-fungal properties.
Among them are oregano, garlic, cloves, turmeric, spearmint, virgin coconut oil, and palm seed oil.
Allergies and skin disorders
All forms of allergy including sinusitis and skin disorders such as eczema and psoriasis provoke reactions from our immune defence, resulting in chronic inflammation which adversely affect our arterial health.
This means that if you suffer from skin disorders or from asthma, and these conditions aren't adequately treated, the chances are high that the health of your heart arteries will be affected.
Chronic sinusitis and allergies stringly provoke our immune defence leading to production of a wide variety of inflammatory chemicals which can damage our arterial wall.
To treat chronic inflammation naturally, we need to look at dietary or lifestyle modifications and the use of nutraceuticals under the direction of a licensed nutritional therapist.
Regular sleep patterns of seven to eight hours per night and exercising to keep weight down are known to be beneficial to the heart.
Our body adipose tissues (fat cells) are also a major producer of inflammatory chemicals.
If you have a BMI of 27 and above, you will face an uphill battle with chronic inflammation.
Consuming excess refined carbohydrates and not exercising adequately may lead to insulin resistance, which is a strong predictor of cardiovascular disease.
Excess use of cooking oils rich in pro-inflammatory omega-6 or consumption of deep-fried food containing trans-fat or advanced glycated end-products (AGEs) promote atherosclerosis.
EPA/DHA can reduce periodontal disease by 20% while reducing inflammation by up to 50%.
CoQ-10 and vitamins D3 and E levels tend to be low in people with gum disease.
Adequate intake of folate-rich dark green leafy vegetables can reduce gingival bleeding. Ascorbic acid enhances gum healing and lowers risk of gingivitis.
Fermented soy such as natto is rich in the biologically active form of vitamin K2, which is also an anti-inflammatory nutrient since it lowers the blood marker IL-6.
Using virgin coconut oil can lower incidence of viral and fungal infections. Foods rich in L-lysine including soy isolate can reduce viral replication in those affected.
