Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis, also known as arterial plaque or cardiovascular disease, is a condition characterized by the buildup of lipids, cholesterol, and other substances in the arterial walls, leading to their hardening and narrowing.

Serious stress, which lowers ATP, magnesium, and carbon dioxide, can lead to the formation of age pigment, lipofuscin, in the atheroma plaques in damaged blood vessels, contributing to atherosclerosis 1. The oxidation of free fatty acids, promoted by polyunsaturated fats and an imbalance of antioxidants and oxidants, also contributes to the formation of lipofuscin and the incidence of atherosclerosis 1.

Vitamin E has been found to reverse atherogenesis and improve cardiac function without displaying antioxidant effects, likely due to its role as a PUFA antagonist and its inhibitory effects on the release of inflammatory mediators 2. Vitamin E enrichment has also been shown to retard LDL oxidation, inhibit the proliferation of smooth muscle cells, and inhibit platelet adhesion and aggregation 4.

Mitochondrial dysfunction is a major cause of cardiovascular disease, through the mechanism of oxidative stress downstream of the mitochondrial dysfunction 5. This is supported by the fact that mitochondrial dysfunction is not addressed by any of the existing CVD treatments currently in clinical use.

Calcium accumulation and cholesterol influx are key factors in the formation of atherosclerotic plaques, with cholesterol initially attempting to limit the damage and protect the vessel over time 6. Vitamin K status has been shown to be crucial in preventing calcification and atherosclerosis, with studies demonstrating that adequate vitamin K status can virtually eliminate these issues 6.

Statins, commonly prescribed to prevent heart disease, have been found to impair the production of vitamin K, leading to increased calcification and atherosclerosis 7. Supplementing with CoQ10 has been shown to improve heart function in patients who have stopped taking statins.

Atherosclerosis has been linked to high levels of estrogen, cortisol, and serotonin, as well as low levels of androgens, such as pregnenolone and DHT 8. This suggests that atherosclerosis may be an endocrine disorder, and that its treatment may be simple and straightforward.