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by Dan Schalm R.Ac, R.TCMP
ATHEROSCLEROSIS, HEART HEALTH AND TREATMENT WITH
ACUPUNCTURE AND TCM
Introduction:
Atherosclerosis is a general term
given to several diseases which cause a hardening and
thickening of the walls of the arterial system. Hence
the phrase, hardening of the arteries. Atherosclerosis
begins when monocytes (white blood cells) enter the
walls of the arteries in certain areas and are
transformed into cells which attract and accumulate
fatty deposits. These places eventually become thickened
and hard and are known as atherosclerosis plaque or atheroma's. All types of arteries are susceptible;
peripheral, coronary, cerebro-vascular etc. The deposits
consist mostly of cholesterol and are located
predominantly in areas of the cardiovascular system that
are prone to blood turbulence, such as the branches and
segues.
Reduced blood flow and thrombosis
become likely as atherosclerosis progresses. The long term
implications are grave, and include heart disease and
stroke. Atherosclerosis and its consequences result in
it being responsible for more deaths than all other
causes combined. In its earlier stages, the progression
of atherosclerosis can be stopped and even reversed with
the proper lifestyle changes.
There is continued research into the mechanism
behind the build-up of plaque. Recent atherosclerosis research has connected
it to
a type of inflammation response. This new understanding sheds light on why
it is that elevated cholesterol levels are not necessarily the main
indicator of heart disease from atherosclerosis. Not all people with
high cholesterol end up with atherosclerosis, and not all people
with atherosclerosis have high cholesterol.
Low grade infection now seems to underlie what
was previously thought of as a simple build-up of plaque.
Certain risk factors influence the release of chemicals
involved in the inflammatory process. These contribute not only to
the formation of atherosclerotic plaque but to the formation of blood clots.
Atherosclerosis is believed to involve substances involved in the
inflammatory response and cells that are characteristic of
inflammation.
Research also indicates an infection may contribute to or even
cause atherosclerosis. Chlamydia
has been shown to have a significant association to plaque.
Treating Atherosclerosis:
Reduction of risk factors
Smoking:
Smoking is dangerous no matter what
angle one views it from. In the light of
atherosclerosis, it is well known that cigarette smoking
significantly decreases the amount of HDL cholesterol in
the blood. HDL is the good stuff which helps get rid of
LDL, the bad stuff that causes atherosclerosis. And, if
that isn't enough, smoking also adds to the
concentration of LDL in the blood. Furthermore, carbon
monoxide levels tend to be higher in the blood of
smokers which is very damaging to the arterial walls.
Smoking also has a vasoconstrictive effect on the
peripheral arteries which leads to reduced oxygen
transport to the tissue, a situation that has another
Pandora's box of consequences. Finally, smoking causes a
tendency for the blood to clot, making thrombosis more
likely.
This is very high on the list of bad
habits that the patient needs to address. However,
because it is an addiction, smoking may not be the best
thing to start with. Developing other good habits and
seeing positive benefits may eventually inspire the
smoker to quit.
Weight loss and exercise:
Starting the atherosclerosis patient out on a modest
regime of walking and practicing Tai Chi or Yoga would
be a good start to better health. Like anything, it is
just another habit, and we are definitely creatures of
habit, for better or for worse. If the patient can
become disciplined enough to do even 15 minutes of
exercise per day, he will be well on his way to reaping
its numerous benefits. Exercise has many positive
effects on the human body, one being a healthy
cardiovascular system.
Since a sedentary lifestyle and
obesity often go hand in hand, an exercise regime is the
first step toward lowering a patient's weight. Diet is
the next obstacle and will be addressed later. High LDL
levels are a by-product of obesity, so the patient must
take an active role in weight management.
Weight loss and exercise also aid in
lowering blood pressure. Hypertension is directly linked
to atherosclerosis and therefore must be kept at normal
levels.
Stress is implicated in the process
of many diseases and atherosclerosis is no exception. It
has been clinically proven that a reduction of day to
day stress lowers both LDL levels and high blood
pressure.
Stress, which comes in many forms, is
often one of the reasons why we engage in destructive
behaviour. There is social stress, competitive stress,
stress from abuse or just plain old survival stress.
These stresses lead to the build-up of uncomfortable
physiological and psychological sensations. Stress
release is often found in the quick fix of instant
gratification such as smoking, drinking alcohol,
over-eating, orgasm, obsessive-compulsive or violent
behaviour patterns, (even acupuncture treatments) to name
a few. They all serve to temporarily release the
build-up of tension in our bodies. Unfortunately, the
ease of suffering is only temporary, and the stresses
that we do not properly deal with continue to cause
trouble. After a quick release, the uncomfortable
sensations associated with stress gradually build up
again.
From a TCM perspective, that is what
Liver Qi depression is all about. Our Qi must move
freely. Stress causes it to become constrained or
blocked, leading to a host of uncomfortable feelings and
syndromes. When a physical or emotional release is
undergone, the symptoms are temporarily relieved. But
the blockage still exists.
A physical manifestation of all of
this is high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels,
partly due to the functional impairment of energy
circulation, and partly due to the participation in
these "de-stressing" habits which contribute at a
physiological level. Stress is a vicious circle, and any
patient who has a lot of it ought to seek out the source
and deal with it. Once this has been done, bad habits
become much easier to break because they do not satisfy
in the same way any more. This is where psychotherapy,
spiritual practice and wholesome fellowship with other
human beings can be highly beneficial. A three week
vacation at a holistic health retreat could be a large
part of the answer ... depending on the cash flow
situation.
Diet
This is a big one. There are many
foods that contribute to atherosclerosis, and many foods
that can reverse its course. The choice of healthy
eating is always up to the patient, but it must be
stressed that this is of prime importance in dealing
with their condition. To begin with, dietary changes and
the taking of dietary supplements should be the first
offensive.
Since hyperlipidemia is generally
associated with atherosclerosis, we know that fats are
implicated in this disease. Any dietary
modification should pay close attention to the
consumption of foods high in LDL cholesterol. And
because raising the level of HDL is one of the best ways
to decrease LDL levels in the body, its intake should be
increased via a more frequent consumption of deepwater
ocean fish and supplements of omega-3 fatty acids.
New information also confirms that these oils also
reduce inflammation, which as stated earlier in this
article is a major cause of atherosclerosis. I tell my
patients and friends that if there is one thing they
should supplement above all other things, it is omega-3
oils! (Vitamin E should always be taken with fish oils to
protect the cells.) Dark green vegetables (especially
peas & lentils) as well as oatmeal contain soluble fibre
which works to reduce LDL in the blood. Pectin is much
the same and is found mostly in apples. Lecithin has the
ability to bind fat to water molecules and is a good way
for the cholesterol to leave the system. Also important
is Vitamin C and Beta Carotene which are believed to
significantly reduce the chance of heart attack, stroke
or cardiovascular death.
Specific foods that are known to help
with lowered cholesterol and hypertension are celery,
eggplant (prevents absorption of fat in the blood),
shiitaki mushrooms, corn, peas and legumes, lentils,
beans, onions, garlic and yams. However, all green and
cruciferous vegetables are good.
Constipation is an issue with
atherosclerosis. Regular bowel movements are important
to prevent toxic build-up in the colon which may lead to
high cholesterol levels. Also, these toxins can prevent
the liver from performing its task of lowering
cholesterol. Periodic cleanses can be helpful.
Finally, a sufficient intake of water
(distilled, with trace minerals added) is highly
effective in maintaining a healthy cardiovascular system
and its liberal consumption should be encouraged.
Acupuncture
Effects of diet and risk factor reduction can be
monitored by cholesterol levels and the regular assessment of blood
pressure. If diet modification is not enough to improve the patients
condition, the addition of Chinese herbal therapy (TCM) and/or
acupuncture can be introduced. But it should be remembered that in
most cases, atherosclerosis is a disease of life-style and not
something that can be fixed independent of behaviour modification.
It should be noted that there is a certain genetic predisposition
for the development of atherosclerosis in some individuals while
males have a higher incidence than pre-menopausal women. So in some
cases, more vigorous forms of therapy might be also be indicated.
Western treatment consists of statin drug
therapy. (article)
These drugs have been shown to have side effects. The most common
side effect is muscle pain and weakness, a condition called
rhabdomyolysis, most likely due to the depletion of Co-Q10, a
nutrient that supports muscle function. Nerve problems are also a
common side effect from statin use. Drugs such as Lipitor (atorvastatin),
Zocor (simvastatin), Mevacor (lovastatin) and Pravachol (pravastatin)
tend to be heavily promoted, despite their dangers and despite the
recent evidence that inflammation, not cholesterol, is playing a key
role in the development of atherosclerosis. The medical profession
and drug companies are making a lot of money off these drugs and it
is interesting that they are being pushed even harder now with the
latest research showing that they may not be the best choice in
treatment.
One alternative to statins is acupuncture and
TCM herbal medicine. Acupuncture has been shown to help lower cholestral
level and combined with TCM herbal medicine, heart health can be
maintained without drugs. (study)
(article)
Wholesome lifestyle choices and natural medicine is the best way to
have a healthy heart. by Dan Schalm R.Ac, R.TCMP
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