| I discussed the mechanisms of oxidative stress | | | | oxidized LDL (termed oxLDL) is, itself, toxic to |
| & damage in a previous post but how does | | | | the cells and assists with damage and |
| that effect cardiovascular disease (CVD)?? | | | | inflammation in the area. Macrophages respond to |
| Atherosclerosis is a buildup of plaque in the walls | | | | this damage, recognized the oxLDL as toxic, and |
| of arteries that, over time, can build up enough | | | | engulf it. This causes the macrophages to become |
| that it closes in on the opening of the artery and | | | | "foam cells". Other forms of damage to LDL, as |
| blood can no longer flow through in sufficient | | | | occurs in diabetes, also exist and lead to the |
| quantities to supply the tissues. This results in | | | | same fate. |
| tissue death in the area supplied by the artery. | | | | The inner wall of the artery, the endothelial cells, |
| Common examples are heart attacks & | | | | retract and expose the foam cells to the |
| ischemic strokes. It is important to have a general | | | | circulation which leads to cellular & humoral |
| understanding of atherogenesis (plaque formation) | | | | immunity activation (medical talk explaining the |
| in order to understand how oxidative stress | | | | inflammation). Ironically, this is supposed to protect |
| & damage can lead to these consequences. | | | | the artery from damage but actually increases it. |
| Atherogenesis is a multifactoral process and can | | | | Oxidative stress is the primary mechanism for |
| be affected in multiple ways. | | | | LDL damage, though other forms also exist as |
| The first risk factor is elevated LDL (Low Density | | | | mentioned above. If you can prevent the |
| Lipoprotein, aka "bad cholesterol"). We know from | | | | oxidative stress & damage, you will decrease |
| years of excellent data that the lower your LDL, | | | | the amount of plaques formed and, therefore, |
| the lower your risk for CVD. LDL is a primary | | | | decrease the risk of the effects of cardiovascular |
| component of the plaques within the arteries. We | | | | disease such as strokes and heart attacks. |
| must keep it as low as possible and there are a | | | | There are different types of antioxidants. Vitamin |
| number of ways to accomplish this goal (diet, | | | | C, Vitamin E, beta-carotene, polyphenols, and a |
| exercise, weightloss, medications, supplements, | | | | number of other plant phytonutrients are all |
| vitamins, alcohol, etc). Cholesterol is an essential | | | | antioxidants and serve to prevent oxidative |
| component of our cell walls and LDL helps | | | | stress. Because they all have different affinities |
| transport that cholesterol to the cells. Too much | | | | for different oxidative stressors, it is important to |
| LDL is bad, builds up, and causes damage. It gets | | | | consume a variety of different types. This is best |
| there through a variety of mechanisms. HDL helps | | | | accomplished by proper nutrition with whole foods |
| to remove the excess LDL - this is why having a | | | | as opposed to supplemental pills. |
| healthy amount of HDL is essential! This is merely | | | | For an excellent source of a wide variety of |
| scratching the surface of the LDL role in | | | | natural, whole food antioxidant sources, look into |
| atherogenesis. The take home point is that LDL | | | | Eiro Nutriceutical. It is an all natural, whole food, |
| builds up within the arterial wall. | | | | well-balanced source of antioxidants. It is the next |
| Once the LDL is deposited in the wall of the | | | | best thing to going to the source and consuming |
| artery, it is oxidized by hydrogen peroxide, | | | | these foods where they are grown. You'd have |
| superoxides, or free radicals (see the post on | | | | to pick it yourself to get a better source. |
| oxidative damage for an explanation). This | | | | |