ATHEROSCLEROSIS (WHAT IS IT?)

Atherosclerosis (or arteriosclerosis) is a term used to describe a thickening, hardening and loss of elasticity in arterial walls. Atherosclerosis is the most common form of arteriosclerosis and involves progressive degeneration of the inner lining of the arteries (especially where arteries bifurcate) and the laying down of fatty plaque that covers this arterial damage. If left untreated, the plaque grows and gradually restricts the flow of blood. When occlusion reaches close to 100 per cent, or when a floating embolus (undissolved matter) becomes lodged in a narrowed opening, the blood supply is suddenly cut off- resulting in a heart attack (myocardial infarction), stroke, or gangrene-depending on where the restriction occurs.

Ischemia refers to the gradually diminishing blood supply caused by the buildup of arterial plaque. As ischemia progresses in coronary arteries, it can cause angina pectoris. As it progresses in the legs it can cause intermittent claudication. Diabetics are particularly prone to arterial damage and ischemia, making them vulnerable to gangrene and retinopathy.

The buildup of plaque is initiated by free radical damage to the artery wall, which leave streaks of scar tissue. Macrophages stick to this scar tissue, as do minerals and debris circulating in the blood. Because of opposing electromagnetic charges, the trapped minerals attract fats. Finally, a layer of cholesterol is laid down over the patch. This cholesterol serves two purposes: (1) It gives the patch a slippery surface so that blood cells can glide past it, and (2) It acts as an antioxidant of last resort by donating electrons to neutralize free radicals, thus itself becoming oxidized in the process. Cholesterol is the last ingredient in the plaque, not the first. Contrary to popular myth, cholesterol does not cause heart disease.

Attempting to cure degenerative diseases with prescription drugs is a fool's game. Headaches are not caused by an analgesic deficiency, ulcers are not caused by cimetidine deficiency, cancer is not caused by a chemotherapy deficiency...and so on. Bodily deterioration is not caused by the lack of any drug. All that drugs can do is to suppress or alter symptoms, leaving the causes untreated. Drugs work by interfering with metabolic pathways.

Faulty nutrition, on the other hand, does cause degenerative diseases. If the body does not get the raw materials it needs to be healthy, it deteriorates. Restoring the body's supply of vital substances enables it to restore its functioning. Nutrients work by supporting metabolic pathways.

This program is designed to focus purely on nutrition, nothing but nutrition. You'll be given nutritional and herbal products as part of the program, but you'll be required to make changes to the part of your lifestyle that is not yielding positive results thus far.

Since 1983, hundreds of thousands of people have been using a "nutritional bypass" program both to prevent and remove the arterial deposits that are responsible for heart attacks and strokes. "Before" and "after" angiograms and Doppler tests have, in some cases, revealed complete removal of significant arterial blockages within several months of starting the program. Symptoms- such as angina, leg cramps, lack of measurable pulse in the ankles, tingling in the hands, trembling and even gangrene- often disappear within weeks. Blood pressure, cholesterol, triglyceride and homocysteine levels tend to normalize themselves. Many who were scheduled for bypass surgery no longer require it. Many have been able to throw away their diuretics, blood thinners, ASA/aspirin, anti-cholesterol drugs and nitro-glycerin.