How to Reduce Clogged Arteries

With age, arteries can become clogged with cholesterol, calcium, and other minerals that build on the inside lining of the blood vessels. When clogging occurs, it is called hardening of the arteries. High blood pressure is an example of such a disease. When plaque builds on the inside of the blood vessels it is like trying to get water through a clogged drain. Oxygen and nutrients are restricted as the blood flow is decreased. Diets can play a major role in helping to reduce cholesterol and therefore helping to lower cholesterol.

Things You'll Need

• Margarine
• Nuts
• Olive oil
• Oatmeal
• Fish

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Instructions

• 1

  Eat 10 g of soluble fiber a day. Oatmeal contains soluble fiber, which reduces "bad" cholesterol, or low-density lipoprotein, as well as kidney beans, pears, apples, barely and prunes.

• 2

  Eat food high in polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as walnuts and almonds. According to the Food and Drug Administration eating a handful of most nuts a day reduces your changes of heart attack.

• 3

  Eat foods high in levels of omega-3 acids, such as fish. Eat fish at least twice a week.

• 4

  Use 2 tbls. of olive oil a day. Olive oil contains a potent mix of antioxidants that can help in lowering your "bad" cholesterol.

• 5

  Eat foods that are fortified with sterols or stanols, such as margarine, yogurt and orange juice. These foods can help reduce LDL cholesterol by more than 10 percent according to the Mayo Clinic. At least 2 g should be eaten daily.