Atherosclerosis -- The Silent Killer

Just what is atherosclerosis anyway? A very common question – what is atherosclerosis? Just fact that so many people ask this question is alarming in itself; however, consequences of this disease cause millions of deaths across world each year. The actual name atherosclerosis derives from Greek words athero, which means gruel or paste, and sclerosis meaning hardening or hardness. Atherosclerosis is result of deposits of fatty wax like materials, cholesterol, our body’s waste products, calcium and other substances. These deposits accumulate and build up along inside of our arteries. This build-up is commonly referred to as plaque. What causes atherosclerosis? One of frightening things about atherosclerosis is that it is an asymptomatic disease, meaning without any symptoms. Often first symptom may be a heart attack or stroke. It is a slow, long, complex disease that often starts in childhood years and progresses through years. In others, progress is much more rapid. Some scientists believe its onset is caused by damage to inner layer of artery. But how can inner layer of an artery become damaged? There are three proven ways in which inner most layer of an artery can become damaged high levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in blood high blood pressure smoking With damage artery wall, fatty deposits, calcium, cholesterol and other substances accumulate over injured area. These deposits, together with other substances produced by body as a consequence, may become large enough to thicken innermost lining of artery. This in turn will reduce internal diameter of artery through which blood flows, thus causing a decrease and a reduction of oxygen supply.

Medicne for diabetes

For Salacia Oblonga herb Capsules and Extract Write to Botanika herbalpowders@operamail.com treeseeds@operamail.com treeseeds@rediffmail.com : : : : WWW.SALACIAOBLONGACAPSULES.COM Traditional Indian medicine, herb Salacia oblonga may help treat diabetes Posted By: News-Medical in Medical Study News Published: Tuesday, 8-Feb-2005 Printer Friendly Email to a Friend : : : : Herbs used in traditional Indian medicine to treat diabetes seems to lower blood sugar and insulin levels in a manner similar to prescription drugs, a new study reports. Researchers gave extracts of herb Salacia oblonga to 39 healthy adults, and results were promising. The largest dose of herb extract - 1,000 milligrams - decreased insulin and blood glucose levels by 29 and 23 percent, respectively. : : "These kinds of reductions are similar to what we might see with prescription oral medications for people with diabetes," said Steve Hertzler, a study co-author and an assistant professor of nutrition at Ohio State University. : : Salacia oblonga, which is native to regions of India and Sri Lanka, binds to intestinal enzymes that break down carbohydrates in body. These enzymes, called alpha-glucosidases, turn carbohydrates into glucose, sugar that circulates throughout body. If enzyme binds to herbal extract rather than to a carbohydrate, then less glucose gets into blood stream, resulting in lowered blood glucose and insulin levels. : : "Lowering blood glucose levels lowers risk of disease-related complications in people with diabetes," Hertzler said. "Also, poor compliance with diabetes medications often hinders effectiveness of these drugs. It may be easier to get someone to take an herb with food or in a beverage, as opposed to a pill." : : The study appears in a recent issue of Journal of American Dietetic Association. : : Thirty-nine healthy adults participated in four separate meal tolerance tests. These meals, which were given in beverage form, were spaced three to 14 days apart. Each participant fasted for at least 10 hours before consuming test beverage. : : Participants were asked to drink about two cups' worth of chilled beverage,