Endothelial Dysfunctions and Vascular ageing

An endothelial dysfunction can be caused by several lifestyle and metabolic factors such as Diabetes, Obesity, High triglycerides, persistent high blood pressure, stress, physical inactivity, smoking and improper dietary habits.  Maintaining a healthy endothelium (This is a thin membrane that lines the inside of the heart and blood vessels) helps to make the blood vessels more elastic, to better perform vasodilation, and to actively suppress thrombosis (blood clotting problems) therein reducing blood vessel inflammation, and hardening. Endothelial dysfunction is influenced by nitric oxide in the blood vessels which in turn can cause compromised blood vessel functions. These functional abnormalities are key reasons that cause cardiovascular diseases. 

A change in lifestyle, including regular exercise, intake of lipid anti-oxidant and a diet that is rich in phytonutrients such as fruits, vegetables, green tea, curcumin, garlic, beetroots etc. are beneficial towards improving the endothelial function and reducing the risk of heart diseases. 

Ageing is a natural process that involves various changes in our physiological, biological, psychological, behavioural and social processes. Some age-related changes are not detrimental to health such as greying of the hair, however, other changes such as fragility of the bones or compromised blood vessel functions are. In fact, advancing metabolic age also becomes a major risk factor in making humans prone to chronic diseases. Vascular aging or ageing of blood vessels starts early in life and continues throughout our life and is an after effect of atherosclerosis (fatty deposition inside blood vessels), or hardening of the arteries resulting in arterial stiffness. As a result of the thickening of the blood vessels, the elasticity is lost and the arteries become stiff and less resilient. 

Some major precautions one should take are…

• Stop the use of tobacco 
• Eat a balanced diet with low-oxidised fats and trans-fats to reduce your risk of atherosclerosis. 
• Improve the cardio vascular efficiency by being physically active
• Manage weight gain and keep the weight well-balanced
• Monitor and maintain the blood pressure

Endothelial dysfunction is a well-established response to cardiovascular risk factors as it precedes the development of atherosclerosis. (Endothelial dysfunction is a term that covers diminished production or non-availability of nitric oxide and or an imbalance in the relative contribution of endothelium-derived factors responsible for contraction and relaxation.) Hence, the improper functioning of the endothelial lining is an important marker for cardio vascular diseases. Omega 3 like nutrients is proven to be beneficial in maintaining this integrity of the endothelium. 

One can reduce this dysfunction by controlling mainly the environmental factors, such as smoking, heavy metal toxicity, un-controlled diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, insulin resistance, and excess free radical formation. Endothelial dysfunction is directly proportional to the vascular ageing. When the vascular layers are damaged it leads to heavy cytokine storm which further damages the lining of the blood vessels and also leading to myocardial infarction, stroke, etc.

Endothelial dysfunction and vascular ageing can be corrected with different modalities. A thorough diagnosis finding the trigger or the root cause is most important treating endothelial dysfunction. Following this, a treatment protocol needs to include dietary and herbal supplementation, naturopathic fasting, prescribed diets etc. 

Atmantan NATURALS’ concept of using nutraceuticals is to treat the root cause of a problem especially work for endothelial dysfunction; we recommend high quality Omega 3 fatty acids for the stabilization of the plaque, reduction in the oxidation of the LDL cholesterol, for the reduction of triglycerides in the blood circulation etc. 

Case Study:

A stressed out individual, 35 years of age was reported having higher diastolic blood pressure and with elevated hsCRP levels, borderline HbA1c and high triglycerides; As a result of this, he was diagnosed with a metabolic age of 20 years more than his actual age! He was then put on a combination of Atmantan NATURALS’ Omega 3, Pregut, Diasolve, along with an antioxidant formula. After only 2 months of supplementation and diet correction, his triglycerides were normalised, his blood pressure was under control and he had also reduced his weight effectively!