LifeCare Chiropractic

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plaquing

Supplementation of Atherogenic Diet with B vitamins – (03-01-01)

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Supplementation of Atherogenic Diet with B vitamins

This study was done in monkeys to determine whether the addition of B vitamins to an atherogenic diet (one promoting hardening of the arteries) to lower homocysteine levels would change the level of plaguing that occurs. The B vitamins did not change the outcome in regards to vascular health. Before we come to the erroneous conclusion that B vitamins will not lower our risk of heart disease, we need to consider a few things. These monkeys were fed a very unhealthy diet that raised their cholesterol levels almost 5x the baseline readings. Is it surprising that these poor creatures continued to have poor vascular health??? And remember, treating and preventing vascular disease is a global approach, and adding B vitamins (preferably by adding whole grains) is just one aspect of this approach.

Circulation — Abstracts: Lentz et al. 103 (7): 1006

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Using CT scans to find heart disease – (04-30-01)

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Electron-Beam CT in the Diagnosis of Coronary Artery Disease

This method of looking for plaquing of the coronary arteries appears to be reliable. Being non-invasive, it is much safer than many other diagnostic procedures being used to identify the plaquing. Of course, the question is, what are patients going to do when they get the results? There is so much information out there for slowing or even reversing heart disease; but they all require lifestyle changes that many are not willing to make. In the case of coronary artery disease, ignorance is NOT bliss… Electron-Beam Computed Tomography in the Diagnosis of Coronary Artery Disease.

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CONCEPT OF ATHEROSCLEROSIS AND PLAQUING IN THE ARTERIES OF THE HEART – (5-11-09)

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Noninvasive diagnosis of ruptured peripheral atherosclerotic lesions and myocardial infarction by antibody profiling

Many patients have their routine stress test and come away with a sense of relief that nothing was found. Unfortunately, these patients can be just as likely to drop dead of a heart attack leaving the center because of the concept of unstable plagues. We are all aware of the concept of atherosclerosis and plaquing in the arteries of the heart. However, what many are not aware of is the idea that a plaque in a big artery taking up 25% of the opening can break free, travel to a smaller vessel and take up 100% of that opening, leading to a heart attack.

So the important concept is not just the presence of a plaque, but how STABLE that plaque is. There are lifestyle factors that play a role in the stability of a plaque (higher intakes of omega 3 fatty acids, less inflammation, etc…) but it is still difficult to asses. Certain ultrasound procedures can determine the stability of a plaque, but are somewhat invasive.

This article looks at a fantastic approach with bloodwork to help asses a patient’s likelihood of having an unstable plaque. Keep your eyes on this approach in the future–it’ll be highly, highly valuable.

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