There’s a growing interest in how a vegan diet reverses atherosclerosis because of the various studies that confirmed it. We already know that a vegan diet can be healthy, so knowing the connection of how it can reverse the leading cause of cardiovascular diseases makes it even more worthwhile to try. Because of these health benefits, there’s no surprise that more people are looking into growing their vegetables.
Regardless of your location in the US, you can easily have a year-round supply of healthy and fresh vegetables by using a greenhouse. Greenhouse gardening of plants is more comfortable than traditional outdoor cultivation because of the controlled indoor environment. You can also feel more confident that the products you have on the plate are well-handled from farm to table.
Vegan Diet Reverses Atherosclerosis: What’s The Connection?
Healthier diet
Studies have confirmed that a vegan or a plant-based diet can reverse atherosclerosis. The explanation behind this is simple, and one can find a connection with two factors. The condition atherosclerosis itself is associated with high consumption of meat, fats, and carbohydrates.
Therefore, replacing these meals and balancing with vegetables puts you at a lower risk.
Cardiovascular protective compounds
The second factor is that compounds like polyphenols and antioxidants found in plants are protective of the vascular endothelial cells. Shifting to a vegan diet will reduce the injury on the endothelial cells, which can reverse coronary artery disease. And atherosclerosis is the cause of coronary artery disease.
These factors explain how a vegan diet could reverse atherosclerosis. One can find the benefits of a vegan diet for the cardiovascular system and how it can reverse diseases in studies dated years ago. There was even a study that concluded that following a plant-based diet can reverse the arteries’ disease.
Main takeaway
As time goes on, more studies with a higher number of participants have shown how eating a strict vegan diet reduces the symptoms, while test results show a reversal of heart diseases. However, it’s worth noting that more than sticking to a vegan diet, the participants also cut down their intake of unhealthy foods. Overall, a healthy diet and lifestyle can slow down, prevent, and even reverse heart diseases.
What Is A Vegan Diet?
A vegan diet is a diet that focuses on the consumption of plants while omitting meat and animal products. There are also variations such as the Lacto-vegetarian that includes dairy products and the lacto-ovo-vegetarian that contains dairy products and eggs. However, the emphasis is necessary on choosing a healthy vegan diet that will give you balanced nutrients.
The B-vitamins and minerals like calcium and iron are essential nutrients that one might miss with the failure of planning a healthy vegan diet. This is why it’s best to consult your doctor to create a balanced diet that will provide all the nutrients you’ll need. With proper planning, you can grow your plants and benefit from the different vitamins and minerals they can offer.
Besides reversing atherosclerosis, sticking to a plant-based diet is beneficial for the cardiovascular system in other ways. It reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease, coronary heart disease, hypertension, and lowers the body’s bad cholesterol. This is possible because not only vitamins and minerals, plants are also rich in phytonutrients, antioxidants, and fiber that are all good for cardiovascular health.
What Causes Atherosclerosis?
Atherosclerosis is a condition where plaque builds up inside the arteries. Many possible factors can cause it, and atherosclerosis can even start in early childhood. The different causes of atherosclerosis range from habits like smoking and lack of exercise or having high triglycerides in the blood.
If a person has high cholesterol or high blood pressure, they are also likely to develop atherosclerosis. Obesity, diabetes, lupus, and arthritis can also cause this condition. Over time, atherosclerosis can lead to narrowing of arteries, fatty deposits in the bloodstream, and blood clots.
How To Treat Atherosclerosis Naturally?
In addition to taking prescribed medications and regular exercise, you can treat, prevent, or slow the progression of atherosclerosis by changing your diet and lifestyle. As shown by studies, eating fruits and vegetables in higher quantities than foods high in sodium, fat, and sugar is beneficial for cardiovascular health. Having your greenhouse with a variety of plants will always make it available and accessible for you to have a vegan diet.
With a healthy diet, you’ll also be able to control your weight. Preventing obesity will reduce your risk of developing hypertension and high cholesterol that are both risk factors for atherosclerosis.
Conclusion
We all know that a healthy diet plays a significant role in our overall health. But did you know that vegan diet reverses atherosclerosis? The plaque buildup in the arteries can cause other dangerous diseases, so we must prevent or slow down this condition’s progression.
Reducing your intake of foods high in sodium, fat, and sugar and replacing them with various fruits and vegetables will help with cardiovascular health. Studies have shown that the nutrients offered by these crops while maintaining a healthy lifestyle can indeed reverse atherosclerosis. If you think it’s challenging to stick to a plant-based diet, you can grow your plants in a greenhouse for a year-round supply of atherosclerosis-reversing ingredients.