Dietary Treatment for Atherosclerosis

While there are several means of treatment for atherosclerosis, the healthiest means is indisputably an altered diet.  Key aspects of a healthy diet include a high intake of fruits, vegetables and whole grains, avoiding trans fat and limiting saturated fat, eating large varieties of proteinaceous foods, and limiting both cholesterol and salt.

WebMD suggests a number of ways to change eating habits into "heart-healthy diets." One such suggestion is the consumption of fish. Given that fish are a good source of protein and other necessary nutrients, this article recommends salmon, tuna and mackerel which provide Omega-3 fatty acids.

Another important aspect of a heart-healthy diet includes completely eliminating trans fat.  Trans fat is detrimental to one's health because it raises LDL cholesterol which contributes largely to  plaque build up within the arteries.  Some examples of food that contain trans fat include: pizza, fast food, margarine sticks, coffee creamer, and others.   It is also recommended to limit saturated fat to less than 10 percent of caloric intake.  Checking the food labels for the amount of saturated fat is a good tip to know and control just how much is being consumed with each meal.  Foods high in saturated fat include sausages, butter, cream, cheese, cakes and biscuits and creams. Conversely, it is good to eat small amounts of unsaturated fat, as it will help increase the level of HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol), and work to reduce blockage in the arteries.  Examples of foods containing unsaturated fat include: fish, avocados, and nuts or seeds.  Because cholesterol plays a large role in atherosclerosis, it is imperative to refrain from going above 300 milligrams beyond the specified limit per day.

Research has shown that eating about 2,000 mg of sterols and stanols each day can reduce the levels of LDL cholesterol by about 10%.  As a result, the risk of heart disease can decrease by as much as 25%. Sterols and stanols can be found in fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, cereals, legumes and both olive and vegetable oils.

Finally, it is important cut back on sodium.  It is easy to consume too much of it, but limiting consumption of this element can help individuals control their blood pressure.  The daily recommended intake for those monitoring atherosclerosis is less than 6 grams per day.  

http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/guide/heart-healthy-diet
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Atherosclerosis/Pages/Prevention.aspx