How To Clean Your Arteries Naturally
chandrama deshmukh 
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In our fast-paced world of constant working and networking, cardiovascular disease is no longer restricted only to senior citizens.
The amount of junk food and alcohol in our everyday diets is quite alarming if you compare it with what you are supposed to be eating. Chalk this up to 15 to 20 years of consistent intake of unhealthy foods, and cardiovascular disease is almost guaranteed in our late 30s and 40s.
The bad cholesterol from the French fries and Chola Bhatura tends to add up over the years on the walls of our arteries. Unlike some other unhealthy substances, cholesterol doesn’t just add to your waistline. It is also carried along in your bloodstream by proteins and lipids. Although there are two types of cholesterol, it’s LDL that gets a bad rap because it frequently leads to arterial blockages (1).
The biggest risk to our arteries comes from LDL found in most processed and greasy foods and triglycerides that are the most common fat found in our blood. Triglycerides are used by our bodies to convert food to energy, so our bodies do need some amounts of them. But, in excessive amounts, they increase our chances of suffering from a stroke.
When combined with triglycerides, the build-up along the arterial walls can form plaque, which, in turn, can narrow and harden the arterial walls. This condition, known as arteriosclerosis, decreases the flow of blood to the heart, resulting in what we sense and perceive as chest pain. In instances where the plaque breaks, it produces a blood clot that can be serious. A large blood clot can stop blood flow to the heart completely. This is commonly known as a heart attack. If the plaque blocks one of the major arteries that lead to the brain, it causes a stroke.
The good news is that there are ways to detox your arteries. Here’s how:
1. Club Mediterranean
The Mediterranean diet is one of the richest in good fats (2). Olive oil, legumes, seafood, lean meat, and nuts are all excellent sources of fiber and antioxidants. Good for the heart and your skin!
2. Fatten Up
… the right way! Monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats are the good guys and can be found in nuts, seeds, salmon, and the leaner cuts of red meat. These ‘good fats’ not only reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease but also work at stepping up your metabolism (3).
3. A Pinch Of Sugar And Salt
Not only are our favorite foods like cookies high in sugar, but they can also contain trans fat, which our hearts (and waistlines!) don’t support well. Sugar and salt are hidden under many names in most processed foods. Reach for a bowl of berries when you’re hungry, or make your own baked snacks to cut down on the preservatives (secret agents of sugar and salt).
4. Ancient Wisdom
Seek inspiration from the kitchens of grandmothers from all over the world. Oats, avocados, chickpeas, garlic, turmeric, and pomegranates are excellent detox ingredients to clean your arteries. Make up your own recipes containing at least one of these to start eating healthier.
5. Work It!
There’s no health program that will tell you that exercise is an option. Get moving for at least 30 minutes a day to help your cause. Take the stairs at work and home. Start a buddy program in your society or work to stay motivated. Exercise will not just burn the excess energy from your food, but also relieve stress and promote better sleep patterns (4).
6. Hit The Snooze Button
Sleep deprivation has proven links to obesity, and irregular sleep can deceive your brain into thinking that you are hungry when you really need some shut-eye. You will also notice that when you are sleep deprived, you reach for foods full of sugar to jerk you awake, increasing the risk to your heart at the same time.
7. Don’t Smoke Away Your Chances
We are all aware that smoking is bad for health. It helps in the formation of plaque and inflames the cells of blood vessels. Quitting smoking can reverse the damage.
It is easy to hit the panic button – usually in the form of a doughnut or a pizza slice – while reading an article like this. But, don’t fret!
If you are not easily motivated to do physical workouts or do not have enough stamina because of various reasons, join a beginner’s yoga class. Yoga not only lowers LDL levels and helps promote weight loss, but also makes you more flexible, which can motivate you to try out other exercise forms as well.
Start by making small changes to your lifestyle. Instead of buying a month’s worth of healthy staples, which can overwhelm you, do this. Swap the morning latte from the coffee shop for a bowl of oats, which will keep you full until lunch and help avoid the 11 AM coffee and doughnut break. Ask your friends to join you for a dance night at the club, where you can burn calories and have fun instead of sitting around sipping cocktails full of sugar. The key is commitment, even if you are taking only baby steps.
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