While many people think that eating too much saturated fat and cholesterol from animal products causes coronary artery disease (CAD), this is simply not true. The real issue behind CAD is actually coronary artery calcification (CAC) – a sign of ongoing inflammation and repair in the coronary arteries that wrap around the outside of the heart. In fact, calcification is present in all individuals with heart disease, and is not just a random occurrence.
First, let’s look at how CAD happens:
Coronary artery disease develops when calcium starts building up in the arteries, often as early as age 40, rather than staying in the teeth and bones where it belongs.
This calcification is directly linked to the inflammation and injury occurring in the blood vessels, with over 90% of men and 67% of women having some degree of coronary artery calcification by age 70.
While the buildup of calcium is most common in the coronary arteries, it can also occur in the arteries of the legs, kidneys, neck, and the main aorta artery leading from the heart.
This calcium buildup is a key part of atherosclerosis, a condition where plaque made up of fat, cholesterol, calcium, and other waste materials develops and causes the arteries to stiffen and narrow over time. While some plaque hardens and calcifies, other plaque remains soft.
As the arteries become increasingly blocked, the heart muscle weakens, potentially leading to life-threatening heart failure. Alternatively, if the plaque ruptures and creates a clot, it can block blood flow and cause a heart attack or stroke.
Unfortunately, calcification does not show any symptoms, and the only sure way to know is to get a coronary calcium scan. The good news is that you can start reversing this calcium buildup by addressing the underlying inflammation.
Here are 7 nutrients that can help remove calcium plaque from your arteries, so let’s get into it.
First, the most important thing to do, in order to reverse calcification, is to reduce levels of “plaque protein” in the blood.