How to Naturally Clean Plaque Out of Vertebral Arteries

The vertebral arteries work with the carotid arteries to supply blood to the head. Positioned toward the back of the neck, they run through the spine and into the brain, where they function as the primary source of blood in the brain stem. Vertebral arteries can become blocked by the accumulation of fatty residues or plaque along the arterial walls. This condition is known as atherosclerosis. If left untreated, plaque will continue to grow, restricting the flow of blood to the brain and increasing the risk of stroke and heart attack.

Things You'll Need

• Oatmeal
• Garlic capsules
• Cayenne pepper

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Instructions

• 1

  Change your diet. Arterial plaque is created by a diet high in saturated fat, triglycerides and cholesterol. Take all possible steps to remove these items from your regular diet. Choose a low-fat, high-fiber diet that incorporates 8 to 10 servings of fruits and vegetables into your menu.

• 2

  Eat your oatmeal. Oats contain avenanthramides. These chemical compounds reduce the ability of plaque forming materials to stick to arterial walls. For best results, eat at least one serving per day for a minimum of 12 weeks.

• 3

  Take garlic capsules or add more garlic to your meals. According to recent studies performed in Germany, taking 900mg of garlic each day can reduce arterial plaque by up to 18 percent. Garlic contains allicin, which stops the formation of plaque-causing cells and helps remove those already established. In the United States, the current recommended dosage is 500mg.

• 4

  Use cayenne pepper to season your foods. Cayenne contains capsaicin, the ingredient that gives the pepper its characteristic heat. Frequent consumption of hot peppers such as cayenne can help reduce cholesterol and arterial plaque from the bloodstream. It also helps prevent the formation of blood clots by discouraging the surface adhesion of the fatty cells, both to each other and to the blood vessels.

• 5

  Get more exercise. Engage in some form of cardiovascular exercise for at least 30 minutes each day. If you're out of shape, start with walking. When you can comfortably walk for 60 minutes, try something a bit more challenging, like bike-riding, jogging, swimming or dancing. Exercise increases circulation, which helps loosen plaque and improve the fitness of the cardiovascular system.