Atherosclerosis and Stroke Recovery

Atherosclerosis is the leading cause of stroke. But it isn’t caused simply by high LDL cholesterol. It is caused by a chain reaction in the body you can avoid.  Controlling atherosclerosis is an essential part of your stroke recovery.

Stroke causing atherosclerosis is a process that involves:

• Inflammation of the arteries
• High LDL and low HDL lipoproteins (cholesterols)
• Calcification within the arteries

Inflammation

The formation of plaque begins with inflammation within the artery. 

What causes this?  High homocysteine levels are linked to inflammation. 

Not enough of B vitamins, zinc and folate lead to high homocysteine levels. 

Smoking creates chronic inflammation, and stress (including anger and sadness) activates the inflammation response. 

Vitamin C reduces inflammation, as do Omega 3s and oats.

Macrophages

Macrophages then build up around the inflamed area.  Inflammation and macrophages (white blood cells that kill germs) are part of the immune response.  Stress also activates macrophage activity.

Oxidized LDL Cholesterol

Oxidized LDL lipoproteins now build up around the macrophages. 

Eating lots of processed oils like in fried fatty foods increases LDL cholesterol.  Low HDL cholesterol allows greater amounts of LDL cholesterol.  HDL lipoproteins are responsible for transporting LDL lipoproteins back to the organs.  These are found in oily fish. 

Stress causes an increase in the amount of lipids in the blood. Zinc, potassium, selenium and manganese deficiencies are also related to high cholesterol levels.  Vitamins C and B3 (Niacin) lower LDL cholesterol levels at medicinal doses.

Antioxidants, such as vitamin C, B and phytonutrients like caratenoids and flavanoids prevent the oxidation of cholesterol.  A lack of these nutrients allows it.  Smoking and stress also increase oxidation.

Arterial Calcification

The plaque is then coated with a hard calcium deposit.  People with normal and safe cholesterol levels can still have dangerously high arterial calcification, and can have stroke because of it.

Vitamin K2 reduces calcium build up, by ensuring it is used by the body, and deposited in the bones, instead of in the arteries.  The way this works is that those macrophages that build up around the inflamed area normally secrete a protein that stops calcification.  They need vitamin K for that protein to work.

Warfarin, aspirin and other blood thinners work by inhibiting vitamin K.  This means that those macrophages aren’t able to secrete the protein to stop calcification in the arteries, which they normally do.

This is called Warfarin induced calcification.  *** This is a medically researched fact and is available on the American Heart Association website***  It explains why so many people with controlled cholesterol levels, who are on the standard statin and blood thinner prescriptions, still have strokes.

If you are not getting enough vitamin K, you can easily build up calcium in the arteries.  K2 can be obtained from eating sources of vitamin K1, which the body converts in to K2.  Large amounts are in leafy green vegetables.  You can also get some K2 from cheeses, animal proteins and if you are brave, natto.

Magnesium also ensures calcium is used properly by the body. 

Magnesium is in whole grains, nuts, seeds and beans.

The western diet itself is usually deficient in all these vitamins and minerals.

And specific foods actually stop you from absorbing the nutrients you need anyway.

Dairy foods, not enough fiber, and highly processed foods create a build up within the digestive system.  This build up lines the intestinal wall and prevents nutrients from being absorbed.

Even if you eat more vitamins that the RDI, you might not actually absorb enough to prevent atherosclerosis and be healthy.  Most adults have at least 5kg of residual food matter built up in their intestines by age 50.

How do we fix it?

Happily, improving your diet can prevent the progression of atherosclerosis.  Over time, frequent consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, oily fish, beans and pulses do great things.

One example is oats.  Daily consumption cleans out the digestive system, reduces inflammation in the walls of the arteries AND lowers oxidation of LDL cholesterol.  It is most effective if you have it with water, not milk.

Wow.

A high quality Omega 3 supplement (cold pressed from oily fish body oils) also reduces inflammation, cleans out the digestive system and transports LDL cholesterol out of your blood stream.

Another wow.

These same dietary habits will help improve your stroke recovery.  Omega 3 fats directly aid the building of new nerve tissue in the brain.  Cleaning out your digestive system means more nutrients are absorbed in to your blood.  These nutrients are then transported to your brain and help build new brain cells.

It’s interesting how looking after yourself helps you in more ways than one.

So if you really do want to prevent a second stroke, be wise and take actions for your recovery as well as what your doctor is telling you. Because research has shown that following their advice alone will not stop you from having a stroke.