Cholesterol and the formation of atherosclerotic plaques. Is there a connection between them and is everything so obvious?

Quote: “correct knowledge – correct actions”

A. Atherosclerosis as a global problem.

B. The views of official medicine on the causes of plaque formation in blood vessels.

C. The role of cholesterol in the formation of atherosclerotic plaques in arteries according to the views of medicine.

D. Let’s criticize official medicine regarding its views on cholesterol.

E. If you criticize, suggest. What should a patient suffering from atherosclerosis pay attention to?

A. Atherosclerosis as a global problem.

Among all types of mortality, cardiovascular diseases rank first. Moreover, among all diseases of the cardiovascular system, atherosclerosis accounts for more than 50%. As for prevalence among the population in general, according to data [1],[2], atherosclerosis among people over 45 years of age in the USA occurs in approximately 5% of the population. In people over 65, atherosclerosis already occurs in more than 10%.

When a person is young, atherosclerosis as a problem could be brushed aside. But the likelihood of atherosclerosis in people only increases with age. The most common formidable complications of atherosclerosis are: heart attack, stroke or gangrene of the lower extremities. I wonder if there is a person who would like such a prospect?
Prevention is still better than cure; and early treatment is better than late treatment.

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[1]. Global Health Estimates 2020: Deaths by Cause, Age, Sex, by Country and by Region, 2000–2019. Geneva, World Health Organization, 2020.
[2]. Virani SS, Alonso A, Aparicio HJ, et al: Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics–2021 Update: A Report From the American Heart Association. Circulation 143(8):e254–e743, 2021. doi: 10.1161/CIR.0000000000000950

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B. The views of official medicine on the causes of plaque formation in blood vessels.

Here is what official medicine tells us about the main causes of atherosclerosis:

We can agree with many of these reasons. Let’s continue.

C. The role of cholesterol in the formation of atherosclerotic plaques in arteries according to medical views.

In medicine, the leading position is still held by the theory that a diet containing a high level of cholesterol accelerates the formation of plaques in blood vessels.

The role of cholesterol in the formation of plaques in arteries was first described by the Russian scientist Nikolai Anichkov at the beginning of the 20th century. And American physiologist Nathan Pritikin proposed a low-cholesterol diet in the 1970s as a way to reduce the risk of plaque formation in blood vessels. Statins are still prescribed in a number of treatment protocols for certain cardiovascular diseases. From the outside, everything seems good and correct.

D. Let’s criticize official medicine regarding its views on cholesterol.

What exactly is known about the connection between cholesterol and atherosclerotic plaque? Well, here’s what – plaque always contains cholesterol.

Now let’s look at some oddities.

1 point. Plaques, as a rule, form only in arteries, and almost never in veins.
2 point. Plaques are found in large or medium-sized arteries.
3 point. Plaques are almost never found in the arteries of the arms.
4 point. There are often cases when a patient has high cholesterol, but the symptoms of atherosclerosis are almost invisible.
5 point. There are many cases when cholesterol levels are low, but the symptoms of atherosclerosis are very pronounced. This is especially observed in older people.
6 point. Almost all patients with type 2 diabetes eventually develop severe atherosclerosis.
7 point. Hypertension and atherosclerosis are frequent companions to each other.

1 point. It is surprising that plaques are almost never found in veins. According to the theory of high cholesterol, the probability of plaque formation in veins should be high, since the blood flow rate in veins is lower, hence the probability of cholesterol settling in the walls of veins should be high. Maybe it is not about cholesterol?
2 point. Plaques are very rare in small arteries. It is known that with a decrease in the caliber of the artery, the blood flow rate in them also decreases. That is: in veins and small arteries, the blood speed is lower than in large ones. Maybe it is about the blood flow rate? But in a high-speed river, precipitation and stagnation are rare. It is known that a river becomes swampy where the water flow rate decreases. So, apparently, it should be in the vessels of the body.
3 point. Plaques are almost never found in the arteries of the hands. Why is the arteries of the hands given such honor? Does high cholesterol somehow miraculously bypass the arteries of the hands? Why would that be?
4th point. A person may have high cholesterol, but show no signs of plaques. Most likely, other factors come into play. But cholesterol is out of the game: it turns out that cholesterol is not the main factor in the appearance of plaques.
5th point. A person has normal cholesterol, but shows signs of atherosclerosis and even its complications. Here, cholesterol is not the cause, but a kind of accomplice in the pathological process.
6th point. Over time, type 2 diabetes always forms atherosclerotic plaques in the arteries. At the same time, atherosclerosis accompanied by type 2 diabetes is always more pronounced than without diabetes.
7th point. Long-term hypertension is often complicated by atherosclerosis and vice versa.

E. If you criticize, make suggestions. What should a patient suffering from atherosclerosis pay attention to?

Here the author of the article wants to take the liberty of making some conclusions and giving some recommendations.

Currently, medical scientists are increasingly inclined to accept the point of view that atherosclerosis is largely an inflammatory disease (although it is strange that doctors still prescribe statins: the benefits of statins are statistically contradictory, but the harm in the long-term consequences can be significant). [3].

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[3]. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJM199901143400207
Ross, R. (1999). Atherosclerosis — an inflammatory disease. N. Engl. J. Med. 340, 115–126. doi: 10.1056/NEJM199901143400207

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I had to look through a lot of medical literature. And everything that contributes to the formation of plaques in the vessels of the body, I would divide into causes and risk factors.
So, here I give my understanding of the essence of pathology.

Causes of atherosclerosis. The main cause of atherosclerosis, I believe, is insulin resistance. A number of studies support this. In addition, this is well covered in such a book as: “Why We Get Sick: The Hidden Epidemic at the Root of Most Chronic Disease-and How to Fight It, Benjamin_Bikman, 2020 y. “

Risk factors. This is everything that contributes to and accelerates the development of the disease. Risk factors can definitely include:
Hypertension,
Smoking,
Obesity,
A sedentary lifestyle.
Poor nutrition.

What can a patient do in this case?
Well, of course, eliminate or reduce as much as possible both the causes and risk factors. Unfortunately, we, people, with our ignorant behavior create insulin resistance in ourselves, and also bring the listed risk factors upon ourselves.
Here I suggest focusing on the following:
Eliminate nutritional errors. It is no longer a secret that in most cases the patient creates insulin resistance in the body with his diet. This is facilitated by eating foods with a high glycemic index, as well as frequent and long snacks during the day.
Increase physical activity. As was previously mentioned in the article: in parts of the body where muscles often move, and also if these areas are well massaged and kneaded, plaques practically do not appear in the arteries of those places.
Lead a healthy lifestyle. First of all, get rid of bad habits, such as smoking and alcohol.

Be healthy!