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At Healthfully, we strive to deliver objective content that is accurate and up-to-date. Our team periodically reviews articles in order to ensure content quality. The sources cited below consist of evidence from peer-reviewed journals, prominent medical organizations, academic associations, and government data.
- Medline Plus: Atherosclerosis
- Mayo Clinic: Arteriosclerosis/atherosclerosis
- NHLBI: Atherosclerosis Treatments
- NHLBI: Atherosclerosis Treatments
The information contained on this site is for informational purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for the advice of a professional health care provider. Please check with the appropriate physician regarding health questions and concerns. Although we strive to deliver accurate and up-to-date information, no guarantee to that effect is made.
How to Remove Plaque From Blood Vessels Naturally
Our bodies have different types of blood vessels -- namely, arteries, veins and capillaries. Arteries carry oxygen and nutrients to the body, veins return the blood to the heart, and capillaries take care of the actual exchange between the blood and the surrounding body tissues. Plaque can accumulate in your arteries, leading to atherosclerosis and heart disease 14. Atherosclerosis is the plaque buildup of fats inside your artery walls, which may lead to restricted blood flow 14. You can prevent and treat atherosclerosis 14.
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.
Stop smoking and make sure you get exercise most days of the week. Exercising on a regular basis helps your body use oxygen more efficiently. "Physical activity can also improve circulation and promote development of new blood vessels that form a natural bypass around obstructions, or collateral vessels," reports the Mayo Clinic.
Natural Ways to Raise Oxygen Level in Blood
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Avoid fatty foods and follow the Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes diet, or TLC. This program focuses on eating healthful foods, being physically active and managing your weight. In the TLC diet, less than 7 percent of your daily calories can come from saturated fat, which is found in some meats, dairy products, chocolate, baked goods, and deep-fried and processed foods.
Eat goods fats that contain omega-3 fatty acids available in fish such as salmon, canned or fresh tuna and mackerel. These fatty acids can protect you from heart attacks and reduce the risk of inflammation and blood clots. Avoid eating fried fish and try to have at least two fish-based meals per week.
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Eat a lot of fruits, vegetables and whole-grain cereals because they are high in soluble fiber. Particularly good sources are fruits, such as oranges, apples, bananas, pears and prunes, and legumes, such as kidney beans, chick peas, lentils, black-eyed peas and lima beans.
Drink no more than two alcoholic drinks per day if you are a man and one if you are a woman. Alcohol raises your blood pressure and triglyceride level and adds unnecessary calories to your diet.
Minimize your salt intake, meaning choose low-salt and "no added salt" foods and seasonings at the table or when preparing food. Check the nutrition facts label on all food items to see how much sodium they contain.
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References
- Medline Plus: Atherosclerosis
- Natural News: How to Unclog Your Arteries Without Surgery or Drugs
- Mayo Clinic: Arteriosclerosis/atherosclerosis
- NHLBI: Atherosclerosis Treatments
- NIH National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Atherosclerosis.
- Manchanda SC, Mehrotra UC, Makhija A, Mohanty A, Dhawan S and Sawhney JPS. Reversal of early atherosclerosis in metabolic syndrome by yoga – a randomized controlled trial. J Yoga Phys Ther. 2013;03(01). doi:10.4172/2157-7595.1000132
- Liu LT, Zheng GJ, Zhang WG, Guo G, Wu M. Clinical study on treatment of carotid atherosclerosis with extraction of polygoni cuspidati rhizoma et radix and crataegi fructus: a randomized controlled trial. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica. 2014;39(6):1115-9.
- Bäck M, Hansson GK. Omega-3 fatty acids, cardiovascular risk, and the resolution of inflammation. The FASEB Journal. 2019;33(2):1536-1539. doi:10.1096/fj.201802445R
- Yao B, Meng L, Hao M, Zhang Y, Gong T, Guo Z. Chronic stress: a critical risk factor for atherosclerosis. J Int Med Res. 2019;47(4):1429-1440. doi:10.1177/0300060519826820
- Manchanda, S. Yoga – A promising technique to control cardiovascular disease. Indian Heart Journal. 2014;66(5):487-489. doi:10.1016/j.ihj.2014.08.013
Writer Bio
Julia Derek is a certified Manhattan-based trainer and writer. She has 14 years experience in the fitness industry. She works at Reebok Sports Club/NY or through her company www.AdrenalineFitnessNY.com. Her writing has appeared in New York Post, Los Angeles Daily News, and AM/NY. She attended George Mason University.