Moreover, oral magnesium therapy has been shown to improve endothelial function in patients with coronary artery disease. Magnesium, which is an inexpensive, natural and rather safe element, could be useful in preventing atherosclerosis and as an adjuvant therapy in patients with clinical manifestations of the disease.
In vitro (15–19) and animal (19–23) studies suggest biological mechanisms through which magnesium may prevent or reverse plaque formation and calcification.
Magnesium has been shown to have a strong relationship to cardiovascular health. One previously reviewed study showed how magnesium uses the same pathway as statins to lower LDL cholesterol and raise HDL cholesterol to reduce inflammation, clotting, and plaque formation in the arteries.
Magnesium has been shown to effectively prevent vascular calcification associated with chronic kidney disease. Magnesium has been hypothesized to prevent the upregulation of osteoblastic genes that potentially drives calcification.
Only 1% of the total Mg2+ in the body is present in extracellular fluids, and only 0.3% is found in the serum. The normal reference range for Mg2+ in the serum is 0.76–1.15 mmol/L [4]. In order to maintain these levels, the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for Mg2+ is 420 mg/day for men and 320 mg/day for women [5].
The key is lowering LDL and making lifestyle changes.
"Making plaque disappear is not possible, but we can shrink and stabilize it," says cardiologist Dr. Christopher Cannon, a Harvard Medical School professor. Plaque forms when cholesterol (above, in yellow) lodges in the wall of the artery.
An atherectomy is a procedure to remove plaque from an artery (blood vessel). Removing plaque makes the artery wider, so blood can flow more freely to the heart muscles. In an atherectomy, the plaque is shaved or vaporized away with tiny rotating blades or a laser on the end of a catheter (a thin, flexible tube).
Vitamin K-2 acts to prevent calcification of arteries, and it can reverse calcification after it happens. Secondly, Vitamin K-2 also uniquely activates a hormone in our bones named osteocalcin. This activation step is necessary and essential for the transfer of circulating calcium out of plasma into the bone matrix.
Medical treatment, regular exercise, and dietary changes can be used to keep atherosclerosis from getting worse and stabilize the plaque, but they aren't able to reverse the disease.
Vitamin C helps vitamin E work better in your body. It also improves the way your arteries work. Together, these two vitamins help protect your arteries from oxidized cholesterol. They also help your arteries relax and open up more.
Magnesium also dilated endothelium-impaired vessels as well as vessels preconstricted with spasmogenic agonists. These results provide a fundamental background for the clinical use of magnesium, especially in treatment against delayed cerebral ischemia or vasospasm following SAH.
“Getting adequate magnesium either through diet, supplements, or both can both prevent heart disease in most people and reverse heart disease risk factors that are so often treated with medications that have unwanted side effects for many,” Rosanoff says.
Once your arteries have hardened, says Lichtenstein, they won't soften back up. "You want to try to avoid stiffening from the beginning," she says. But it's never too late to prevent additional damage to your arteries, with key lifestyle steps.
Several studies have shown that magnesium citrate has a higher bioavailability. On the other hand, a meta‐analysis has shown that inorganic formulations, such as magnesium oxide, exhibited a greater increase in circulating magnesium levels than organic formulations.
Although you can't reverse atherosclerosis once it starts, you can prevent it with some easy lifestyle changes. Eat a balanced diet that's high in heart-healthy fruits, vegetables, and fish. Exercise for at least 30 to 60 minutes a day. Stop smoking, cause that's really bad news for your arteries.
Use Vinegar & Baking Soda
This process can be used on sink or shower drains. White vinegar is a natural solution that can be utilized to dissolve calcium buildup. Sitting overnight, you will be able to remove lime buildup from the drain while avoiding the harsh chemicals in traditional drain cleaners.
Niacin, or Vitamin B3, is the best agent known to raise blood levels of HDL, which helps remove cholesterol deposits from the artery walls.
A diet rich in vitamins B, C, D, E, and K can strengthen blood vessels to support the venous system. Consuming whole, fresh foods rich in these nutrients promote good blood flow, reduce inflammation and help maintain overall health.
In the groups receiving high-dose vitamin K1 or K2 (MK-4), not only was there no further arterial calcium accumulation, there was a 37% reduction of previously accumulated arterial calcification after six weeks. After 12 weeks, there was a 53% reduction in accumulated arterial calcium deposits.
A healthy diet rich in nutrient-dense foods may help reduce your risk of developing clogged arteries. Research has shown that adding foods like cruciferous vegetables, fish, berries, olive oil, oats, onions, greens, and beans to your diet may be an effective way to prevent atherosclerosis.
Although it isn't possible to remove plaque from your arterial walls without surgery, you can halt and prevent future plaque build-up. Research does not support that specific food items can help clear arteries naturally, but a healthier diet is essential to reduce the chance of it forming in the first place.
Research has drawn a direct link between atherosclerosis and magnesium levels. As discussed above, “Magnesium prevents calcium buildup in cholesterol plaque in arteries, which leads to clogged arteries.”
Magnesium begins to take effect after one week of consistent supplementation.