Some studies have shown that garlic and garlic supplements may have positive effects on heart health by preventing cell damage, regulating cholesterol and lowering blood pressure. Other research shows that garlic supplements may also reduce plaque buildup in the arteries.
In a four-year study of 280 adults, German researchers report that participants who took 900 milligrams of garlic powder per day had up to 18 percent less plaque in their arteries than those who took a placebo or "dummy" powder.
The supplement Aged Garlic Extract can reverse the buildup of deadly plaque in arteries and help prevent the progression of heart disease, according to a new study scheduled for publication in the Journal of Nutrition.
Studies suggest that garlic — specifically, its sulfur compounds, which include allicin — can increase tissue blood flow and lower blood pressure by relaxing your blood vessels ( 20 ). In fact, diets high in garlic are associated with better flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD), an indicator of blood flow efficiency.
Direct vasodilators directly affect the muscle cells that line your blood vessels. They make your muscle cells relax so that blood vessels open. Because they work quickly, they can cause more side effects. Healthcare providers use direct vasodilators when other treatments haven't worked.
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.
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.
A person's arteries can become clogged when plaques build up inside them, reducing blood flow. Eating specific foods cannot cleanse plaques out of the arteries, but a healthful diet can help manage and prevent heart disease. Over time, plaque buildup can lead to thickened or hardened arteries.
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.
Saturated fat is one of the worst offenders when it comes to plaque buildup in the arteries. Most experts suggest limiting saturated fats to under 7% of your daily calories.
If you have the gumption to make major changes to your lifestyle, you can, indeed, reverse coronary artery disease. This disease is the accumulation of cholesterol-laden plaque inside the arteries nourishing your heart, a process known as atherosclerosis.
Beetroot Juice
Beets can dilate the blood vessels, and in doing so increase blood flow throughout your body. Beetroot juice can also help lower your blood pressure, which is often a problem when your arteries are partly blocked.
Also known as “the sunshine vitamin,” vitamin D has many benefits. These include keeping the cells that line the blood vessels (endothelial cells) healthy. L-arginine. L-arginine is an amino acid that helps expand blood vessels and amplify blood flow.
Cyclodextrin Dissolves Cholesterol Crystals So They Can Be Excreted by Body; Reduces Arterial Wall Inflammation. Read more about cholesterol and atherosclerosis: Giant Saccular Aneurysm Of The Right Coronary Artery.