Niacin, or Vitamin B3, is the best agent known to raise blood levels of HDL, which helps remove cholesterol deposits from the artery walls.
L-arginine is an amino acid that helps expand blood vessels and amplify blood flow.
The key is lowering LDL and making lifestyle changes.
"Making plaque disappear is not possible, but we can shrink and stabilize it," says cardiologist Dr. Christopher Cannon, a Harvard Medical School professor. Plaque forms when cholesterol (above, in yellow) lodges in the wall of the artery.
Yes, lifestyle changes, including diet, smoking cessation, stress management and exercise, can decrease the size of atherosclerotic plaques. They can also help to stabilize them so that they are less likely to break off and block blood flow, decreasing your risk of a heart attack.
Although atherosclerosis is not “reversible” as such, there are a variety of treatments available to slow down the process and prevent it from worsening, up to and including surgery. Talk to your doctor about your best options.
In traditional medicine, turmeric has been used to strengthen the blood vessels. Turmeric's strong antioxidant actions can protect LDL cholesterol from being oxidized, thus lowering blood cholesterol and preventing plaque buildup. Ginger root reduces platelet stickiness and help clear arteries of plaque.
Although it isn't possible to remove plaque from your arterial walls without surgery, you can halt and prevent future plaque build-up. Research does not support that specific food items can help clear arteries naturally, but a healthier diet is essential to reduce the chance of it forming in the first place.
Afterwards researchers tested how well blood flowed through the arteries of people in the study. The results were encouraging. The CoQ10 supplement improved blood vessel health by about 42%, so the researchers thought this meant that the risk of heart disease was lowered by 13%.
Turmeric
Turmeric is one of nature's most potent anti-inflammatories, due to a compound called curcumin. This not only reduces arterial inflammation, but also fatty deposits known as plaque, by as much as 26%! That's pretty impressive for a pinch of spice.
In vitro (15–19) and animal (19–23) studies suggest biological mechanisms through which magnesium may prevent or reverse plaque formation and calcification.
A healthy diet rich in nutrient-dense foods may help reduce your risk of developing clogged arteries. Research has shown that adding foods like cruciferous vegetables, fish, berries, olive oil, oats, onions, greens, and beans to your diet may be an effective way to prevent atherosclerosis.
Through angioplasty, our cardiologists are able to treat patients with blocked or clogged coronary arteries quickly without surgery. During the procedure, a cardiologist threads a balloon-tipped catheter to the site of the narrowed or blocked artery and then inflates the balloon to open the vessel.
Although we're not sure where this claim originated from, we do know there is no scientific evidence proving apple cider vinegar clears clogged arteries. In fact, vinegar should not be substituted for standard treatment.
To be specific, extra virgin olive oil helps clear out the plaque deposits in the artery. Daily intake of olive oil removes the debris present in arteries and ensures a healthy blood flow. A traditional Mediterranean diet includes more olive oil because of its ability to remove cholesterol from arteries.
If you eat sources of saturated fat, like beef, switching to foods with omega-3 fatty acids, like fatty fish, can help lower your heart disease risk. CoQ10 may offer benefits if you already struggle with cardiovascular disease risk or you've had a heart attack.
In summary, fish oil may reduce atherosclerosis by activating numerous nuclear receptors including PPAR-alpha and PPAR-gamma, by inhibiting the infiltration of macrophages and as the release of MMPs, and by preventing the weakening and rupturing of atherosclerotic plaque.
Risks. People with chronic diseases such as heart failure, liver problems, or diabetes should be wary of using this supplement. CoQ10 may lower blood sugar levels and blood pressure.
Recent research links low blood levels of CoQ10 with low levels of heart-protective “good” cholesterol which in turn may further increase risk for heart disease. Cholesterol-lowering statins may also reduce blood levels of CoQ10.