According to the World Health Organization, vascular diseases are the leading cause of death in the world. A third of deaths occur due to vascular pathologies. A chronic disease of the elastic and muscular arteries, characterized by the deposition of cholesterol plaques in the lumen of the vessels, is called atherosclerosis.
A pathological process develops due to disturbances in protein and lipid metabolism. Cholesterol deposits cause narrowing of blood vessels, their deformation, and can lead to obstruction (blockage) of the vascular lumen. Metabolic disorders are most often caused by an unhealthy lifestyle, bad habits and poor diet.
Cholesterol is an organic compound that is found in cell membranes, ensuring their stability over a wide temperature range. 80% of this substance is produced by the body, and 20% comes from food. Cholesterol is necessary for the production of vitamin D and adrenal hormones. Both a lack of a substance and its excess are harmful to the body.
Over the past decades, atherosclerosis in Russia has become younger, and not only doctors, but also the government are concerned about the annual growth of this disease. Every second Russian has high cholesterol levels in the blood.
In addition to cholesterol, a lack of vitamin B12 and iron in the blood causes damage to blood vessels. As a result, cell membranes are destroyed, which leads to serious diseases, including cancer.
The human body is designed in such a way that it is able to independently remove harmful substances and toxins. But with metabolic disorders, excess body weight, and bad habits, this ability is practically reduced to a minimum.
It is necessary to help your body and periodically clean the blood vessels. This is especially true for those who are at risk.
It has been established that by limiting the intake of cholesterol from food, you can reduce its level in the blood by 10-15%. It is important to know which products clean the vessels.
What is the danger of atherosclerosis
An increase in cholesterol in the body leads to the failure of all systems and disrupts metabolic processes. Cholesterol plaques can affect blood vessels in the brain and heart. The danger of narrowing the vascular lumen lies in the risk of ischemic diseases of the cardiovascular system, acute circulatory disorders in the vessels of the brain - stroke.
In addition, growing plaques lead to calcification and complete closure of the lumen. In areas of the affected vessels, due to impaired blood flow, blood clots form, which pose a serious threat to human life.
To clean blood vessels, it is not enough just to have a balanced diet and switch to an active lifestyle. If there is a high level of cholesterol in the blood, special therapy is necessary. It includes medications that thin the blood, drugs that lower cholesterol and improve metabolism.
A clinical blood test is carried out in the laboratory of medical institutions. Therapy must be prescribed by a doctor. Self-medication is an unjustified health risk.
A balanced diet occupies a special place in the process of cleansing blood vessels and the body of toxins. This is important for people who are overweight.
Indications and contraindications
Consuming any natural products in fairly large quantities to cleanse blood vessels can have different side effects for different diseases. Only a doctor can analyze and evaluate these conditions in each specific case in a qualified manner. Therefore, before an independent course of prevention or treatment of atherosclerosis with the help of vegetables and fruits, it is advisable to consult your doctor.
A signal that you need to regularly check your blood for the presence of increased levels of “bad” cholesterol may be:
- heredity, menopause and age 40+ for men and women;
- obesity and metabolic disorders;
- liver disease, kidney disease, diabetes mellitus;
- bad habits and long-term use of contraceptives, diuretics, steroids;
- sedentary lifestyle and hormonal changes during pregnancy, etc.
Causes Contributing to High Cholesterol Levels
The deposition of excess cholesterol is provoked by the following factors:
- eating disorder and systematic overeating;
- consumption of poor quality food and drinks;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- unhealthy diet (fast food);
- smoking.
Accumulating in blood vessels, cholesterol reduces their elasticity and makes the vascular walls fragile. This affects overall well-being and leads to the development of diseases of the cardiovascular system, diabetes, and rapid weight gain.
To avoid such troubles, it is necessary to include only healthy foods and products that clean vessels in your daily diet.
In the Russian diet, there is a significant excess in the consumption of sugar and sugar-containing products. The consumption of meat products is several times higher than the norm. But it is important to consider what exactly is meant by this concept.
The top sausages on this list contain large amounts of fat, which contains cholesterol. At the same time, the consumption of vegetables and fruits is at a low level.
General rules for the procedure
During intensive therapy aimed at blocking blood vessels, you need to be especially picky about your daily regimen and nutrition. This will avoid complications and make treatment more comfortable.
- In the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis, vegetables and fruits should prevail in the patient’s menu.
- It is necessary to minimize the consumption of animal fats, and give preference to lean poultry and lean beef.
- Omega 3 fatty acids should be present in the diet: they contain vegetable oils, nuts and fatty sea fish. If necessary, these products are replaced with capsules with a pharmaceutical drug.
- It is advisable to replace sugar with dark chocolate and not very sweet jams, hot seasonings with fresh herbs.
- You need to significantly reduce the amount of salt in your food and increase the amount of water you drink.
- Be sure to exclude alcohol, baked goods, smoked meats, sausages, fatty and processed cheeses.
What you need to lower cholesterol
It makes no sense to influence the problem with a cholesterol-free diet alone. An integrated approach is needed to the problem. In addition to limiting foods containing cholesterol, it is necessary to reconsider your overall diet and lifestyle.
Patients with diabetes should discuss their diet and any changes in it with their doctor.
How to help blood vessels
What to do if blood vessels suffer? You will have to reconsider your habits, and give up some addictions altogether. To clean vessels it is recommended:
- Replace sugar with dark chocolate. 30 - 35 g per day is enough.
- Limit your meat intake to 100 - 150 g. It is better to eat 100 g of lean meat than half a kilo of sausage. Fatty varieties, lard, and smoked foods should be excluded. Preference should be given to white poultry and lean beef.
- Limit the number of egg yolks to 2 per week. Proteins can be eaten in any reasonable quantity.
- Avoid fatty and processed cheeses.
- It is strictly not recommended to consume baked goods.
- Candied fruits, jams and preserves should contain a small percentage of sugar.
- Introduce more greens and citrus fruits into your diet.
Citrus fruits are leaders in antioxidant content. There should be fish on the table at least once a week. It is preferable to opt for sea water, which is rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids.
It is necessary to limit the consumption of salt and spicy seasonings, which can cause swelling, thereby increasing the load on blood vessels.
You should include fresh vegetables in your diet every day. In the fiber of vegetables entering the body, the synthesis of fibrous fibers occurs, which strengthen the walls of the veins.
Vitamin E (tocopherol) is necessary for vascular health. It is found in legumes, liver, green onions, olive oil and avocados. Tocopherol gives elasticity to blood vessels.
Vitamin C strengthens vascular walls. There is a lot of it in bell peppers, citrus fruits, apples, and herbs.
To clean the blood vessels, you need to completely give up smoking and certain foods: canned food, smoked meats, fast food, animal fats.
Products that help cleanse blood vessels
The products we will discuss can reduce the level of bad cholesterol and cleanse blood vessels. Some of them can remove toxins and waste, and some can strengthen blood vessels and improve their elasticity.
Products that clean blood vessels contain fiber. It removes toxic substances and prevents the formation of atherosclerotic plaques on the walls of the arteries.
These include:
- Whole grains - oats, brown rice, buckwheat. It is useful to include whole grain bread in your diet, which is also rich in dietary fiber. These fibers are able to bind excess cholesterol and remove it from the body.
- Barley contains beta-glucan (a polysaccharide that destroys vascular atheromas), provitamin A and B vitamins. Helps prevent thrombosis.
- Flax seed is rich in omega-3 fatty acids and fiber. Used to prevent atherosclerosis.
- Olive oil is an active antioxidant containing omega-9 fatty acids. Reduces blood pressure, prevents the development of diabetes and obesity.
- Legumes – These include beans and beans. High levels of protein, fiber, iron and folic acid play a significant role in the prevention of stroke and heart attack.
- Asparagus is a leader in cleaning blood vessels. It can lower blood pressure and prevent the formation of blood clots. The use of the product is effective even in cases of long-term vascular diseases.
- Broccoli and other types of cabbage are rich in fiber, vitamins C and K, which prevent salt deposits and the destruction of arteries.
- Spinach contains large amounts of folic acid and other important elements. Potassium accumulated in its leaves normalizes blood pressure. Eating one serving of spinach per day reduces the risk of developing arterial disease.
- Turmeric is a powerful anti-inflammatory agent. Constant consumption of it will give elasticity to the blood vessels. The spice reduces the level of fatty deposits on artery walls by a quarter.
You should not just include vegetable salads and fruits in your diet, you must take into account which vegetables and fruits cleanse the vessels so that the effect is targeted.
Healthy fruits and vegetables
To combat atherosclerotic deposits, introducing fruits and vegetables into the diet in quantities of at least 400 g per day will help.
It is useful to eat fruits that effectively reduce cholesterol:
- pomegranate is one of the most beneficial foods for the heart and blood vessels. It is better to eat it fresh, but you can also replace it with pomegranate juice. The product is able to thin the blood, lower blood pressure and remove harmful cholesterol from the body;
- apples are rich in pectin and fiber - active substances that fight cholesterol plaques and give elasticity to blood vessels;
- persimmon is a storehouse of fiber and antioxidants. Stimulates blood circulation, improves metabolism. Polyphenols can reduce bad cholesterol levels. Despite the high sugar content, the fruit has a low glycemic index;
- avocado. The fatty acids and vitamins E, B6, C, copper, folic acid and fiber it contains make the fruit indispensable in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. Avocado easily frees blood vessels from fatty deposits;
- grapefruit is unique in its composition: a large arsenal of vitamins and important minerals. Perfectly restores the elasticity of arteries;
- cranberry improves metabolic processes, contains citric acid and potassium.
Among vegetables, cabbage (all its types) plays an important role. Useful to use:
- garlic is an excellent remedy for cleaning blood vessels. Plays an important role in the prevention of stroke and heart attack;
- horseradish is the leader in vitamin C content, improves metabolic processes;
- tomatoes - due to lycopene, they thin the blood.
You should not consume grapefruit while taking medications.
Other useful products
To cleanse blood vessels, it is necessary to include in the diet other foods that help remove excess cholesterol, strengthen arterial walls and improve metabolism.
These products include:
- honey and dried fruits are an excellent alternative to confectionery. Honey should be consumed in small quantities - no more than 30 - 35 g per day, and the norm for dried fruits is one handful;
- nuts. To clean and strengthen blood vessels, it is preferable to eat walnuts, almonds and cashews;
- fatty fish (preferably sea fish). Due to the content of omega-3 fatty acids, it occupies a leading place in the prevention of atherosclerosis. In some cases, it is advisable to replace meat in the diet with fish;
- black chocolate. When choosing it, it is important to consider the percentage of cocoa. The optimal option is from 70%. Dark chocolate contains essential oils. The product normalizes the production and activity of platelets, which prevents blockage of the vascular lumen;
- cinnamon reduces blood lipid levels.
Top 10 options
Now we will take a look at the rating of the 10 most useful products that can be used to cleanse the cardiovascular system.
Ginger
Gingerol, contained in the root of the vegetable, makes ginger especially beneficial for blood vessels. Ginger is responsible for this substance:
- the ability to dissolve cholesterol deposits, converting them into bile acids;
- anti-inflammatory properties;
- antioxidant effect.
From time to time, for the prevention and treatment of vascular diseases, regular tea should be replaced with a health-improving and at the same time aromatic remedy with a pleasant taste. To prepare it, take ginger and lemon in proportions to taste, optimally 1/1.
- Peel and grate the ginger root or grind it in a blender along with a lemon in its peel, freed from grains.
- The resulting puree is placed in a cup to taste, poured boiling water over it and allowed to stand for 1-2 minutes or a little more to add a spoonful of honey to the slightly cooled drink. It is also extremely useful for problems with blood vessels.
Lemon
Lemon is one of the most common means for cleansing the lumen of blood vessels. This citrus not only supplies the body with important vitamins and microelements, but also:
- expands and strengthens the walls of blood vessels, maintains their elasticity;
- thins the blood;
- removes harmful cholesterol;
- reduces blood clotting.
Lemon is used for the prevention of vascular diseases fresh daily and periodically as part of traditional medicine recipes. But such drugs often have a pronounced taste due to garlic and ginger, which not everyone tolerates well. In this case, you can prepare a tasty medicine that everyone likes:
- A couple of large lemons and oranges are washed, pitted and ground through a meat grinder.
- Add two full tablespoons of natural high-quality honey to the resulting mass and leave in the refrigerator for one day.
The mixture is consumed 3-4 times a day without interruption until the mass is used up; store it in the refrigerator. Experts advise taking a blood test before and after the course to see noticeable results from the treatment.
Beet
Beets are a recognized means of preventing vascular diseases. The vegetable is good boiled or raw, as its components:
- reduce high blood pressure accompanying atherosclerosis;
- reduce the amount of cholesterol and dissolve atherosclerotic plaques in the arteries;
- used to strengthen blood vessels in the brain.
To cleanse blood vessels and thin the blood, it is best to use raw vegetable juice. In freshly squeezed form, take it 15 minutes before meals, a glass a day , dividing the dose into three parts. The course of treatment is up to three months. But in order to avoid complications when cleansing and strengthening blood vessels, it is better to start with a tablespoon per dose.
To dissolve cholesterol deposits on blood vessels, it is good to undergo a course of treatment with beet kvass . It is easy to prepare.
- Raw beets (2 kg) are peeled and cut into pieces, placed in a three-liter jar.
- Pour hot water, but not boiling water.
- After cooling to lukewarm, place a crust of rye bread in a jar, cover with gauze and put in a cool place with an air temperature of at least 15 degrees.
- After two or three days, foam will appear; it must be removed immediately and the kvass should be left for another day.
- At the end of the period, the kvass is filtered and put in the refrigerator.
To cleanse the arteries with kvass, it is enough to take half a glass three times a day. But the drink can be drunk in larger quantities, especially since so many people like it as a thirst quencher.
Eating and treating blood vessels with root vegetables is impossible in case of diabetes, urolithiasis, lack of calcium in the diet and body, as well as diarrhea.
Celery
The benefits of celery for the cardiovascular system have been proven by official medicine. Celery root and stalks:
- contain phthalides, which help dilate arteries and thereby improve blood flow;
- contain potassium and magnesium, which are vital for everyone who is prone to vascular diseases;
- reduce the pressure that occurs when blood vessels are clogged with cholesterol;
- fight excess weight, which is most often present in patients with atherosclerosis.
During the period of active blood purification, you can prepare a dish that is consumed separately from other food, as an independent meal:
- Celery stalks are dipped in boiling water for a few seconds or cut into pieces and scalded with boiling water.
- Immediately pour a little sunflower olive oil, sprinkle with sesame seeds and a little sugar and salt.
This dish is eaten for several days so that the cleansing process is noticeable. But it should not be used at low blood pressure.
Celery root also helps improve the health of the cardiovascular system. To do this, grind the same volume of celery root and lemons, after removing the seeds from it. You can add parsley root. Add a little honey and put it in the refrigerator. Eat two tablespoons on an empty stomach in the morning.
Pumpkin
Pumpkin is famous as an excellent natural remedy for healing the entire cardiovascular system. Its properties such as:
- the ability to lower cholesterol levels and dissolve existing cholesterol plaques;
- influence on metabolism and weight loss;
- the ability to supply the body with potassium and magnesium - the main microelements that support the heart.
It is used in the everyday menu as an ingredient for soups, salads, side dishes and desserts. Pumpkin is also used to cleanse the walls of blood vessels. To do this, half a glass of freshly squeezed juice is mixed with the same amount of whey and taken 1-2 times a day for a month.
Garlic
One clove of garlic a day is an excellent prevention of hypertension. Nitric oxide and hydrogen sulfide in garlic reduce vascular tone and, when used regularly, help lower blood pressure.
For intensive cleansing of blood vessels in the absence of contraindications, prepare a lemon-garlic mixture:
- Peel and seed 9 lemons and 10 cloves of garlic, chop finely, mix thoroughly with a liter of honey and place in a glass jar.
- The neck of the jar is covered with several layers of gauze and the container is placed in a dark, cool place for a week. Under no circumstances should the lid be closed.
- Before use, strain and reserve only the liquid for use.
To cleanse the walls of blood vessels, the resulting drug is taken a teaspoon 4 times a day for 5 days . Due to its strong cleansing properties, it is recommended to carry out the procedure no more than once a year.
Onion
Onions strengthen blood vessels and are also well known as an anti-sclerotic natural remedy. Regular use of it in food helps:
- better breakdown of substances obtained with products; primarily animal fats, which leads to a decrease in blood cholesterol levels;
- synthesis of “good” cholesterol and reduction of “bad” cholesterol in the body due to the presence of manganese in vegetables;
- increasing the elasticity of blood vessels due to the high content of vitamin C;
- in normalizing pressure, regardless of which direction the deviation is observed;
- improving blood composition due to potassium and iron;
- expansion of coronary vessels.
For targeted treatment of vascular blockage, onion juice and honey mixed 1/1 are used. Drink it one tablespoon half an hour before meals three times a day for three months.
Persimmon
Persimmon is one of the first places among fruits that are beneficial for people who are prone to cardiovascular diseases. It must be consumed fresh because:
- the potassium and magnesium it contains nourish the heart muscle, which pumps blood;
- vitamins in the fruit maintain the elasticity of blood vessels;
- polyphenols favor low levels of “bad” cholesterol;
- Having a high sugar content, persimmon does not increase blood sugar levels: it has a low glycemic index (45), which means it is indicated for people with a tendency to obesity and is acceptable in the diet of diabetics.
This fruit should not be consumed on the same day with milk and dairy products, and it is strictly forbidden in acute forms of diabetes, kidney disease, bladder disease, and in most cases, digestive problems.
Pomegranate
This fruit, or rather the berry, is rich in nutrients. Pomegranate contains:
- antioxidants, which are beneficial for the good condition of blood vessels and resist blood clotting;
- elements that help produce nitric oxide in the blood, which cleanses the arteries and normalizes blood pressure.
Many people do not know that pomegranate can be used to strengthen the heart not only in its natural form, but also as part of sauces for meat, in hot dishes and salads.
A very simple, incredibly healthy and tasty salad can be easily prepared from onions, pomegranate and herbs.
- The onion is cut into half rings and marinated for 15-25 minutes in vinegar diluted with water with a spoonful of salt and sugar.
- Mix with pomegranate seeds and herbs, season with olive oil. If desired, add more ripe tomato slices.
Carrot
This root vegetable is one of the most accessible and well-known vegetables that promotes the good condition of blood vessels. Carrots are known for:
- removes excess cholesterol well and reduces blood pressure;
- stimulates blood circulation and significantly reduces the risk of stroke;
- maintains good condition of the cardiovascular system due to potassium.
It is difficult to choose the most effective way to improve blood vessels using carrots. A win-win is to drink carrot juice in half with beet juice, to which you can add two tablespoons of celery and lemon juice.
English scientists made the discovery that 30% of people have a gene responsible for the production of “good” cholesterol. To activate it, just eat at the same hours 4-5 times a day.
Blood cleansing in traditional medicine
In folk medicine there are many recipes for blood purification. The Tibetan method allows you to clean arteries from cholesterol plaques. This composition strengthens the vascular walls and restores their elasticity.
350 g of garlic should be crushed and placed in a dark glass container. The mixture should be poured with a glass of alcohol and left for 10 days in a dark place at room temperature. Then squeeze out the contents through gauze.
For the medicine you will need a sticky liquid obtained during the squeezing process. The method of application is as follows: 1 drop of liquid is mixed with a glass of boiled milk and drunk. With each meal, the number of drops is increased by 1 (1 - breakfast, 2 drops at lunch, 3 - dinner, 4 - next breakfast, etc.). Having reached 15 drops, begin the countdown, reducing to 1 drop.
After 10 days of treatment according to the regimen, they begin to take 25 drops per glass of milk three times a day. Drink until the mixture runs out.
It is believed that such a course is enough for 5 years.
In folk medicine, nettle, potatoes, echinacea, kombucha and other remedies are also used to cleanse the blood.