Friends:
As discussed in Round One of our “endothelium” topic, it is a thin layer of cells that lines our blood vessels that have profound effects on our health.
Damage to the endothelium is called “endothelial dysfunction” which is characterized by:
–-Impaired vasodilation
–Deficiency of nitric oxide–a substance naturally released by our tissues to enhance blood flow.
–An adversely “activated endothelium” that is in a state of inflammation, hypertrophy, and thrombosis (blood clotting)
What 4 common factors, largely in your management and control, are major triggers of endothelial inflammation and dysfunction?
They are: diabetes or metabolic syndrome, hypertension, obesity, smoking, and physical inactivity
Endothelium damage” is most typically initiated by oxidative stress.
This is ‘ground zero” where atherosclerosis starts almost 100% of the time.
As discussed in Part One, central to the story, LDL cholesterol plays a major role and it figuratively sacrifices itself to try and blunt the oxidative damage to the endothelium cells being assaulted by free-radical oxidants from an inflammation process.
However, in doing so, LDL becomes oxidized.
Why is this so particularly bad?
It’s bad because it now “morphs” into something your body no longer recognizes as “friendly”.
The immune system attacks this particle with full force–inflammation, the release of various immune signals that bring in other immune cells, clotting, and then trying to slow the “heat” and plug up the inevitable tissue damage, eventual calcification with subsequent narrowing of vessel, loss of vessel flexibility, drop in the vasodilating nitrous oxide production, etc.
Also of great interest is that oxidized LDL lowers insulin sensitivity, and pushes one more toward hyperglycemia and diabetes, so targeting preventive measures to lessen this effect early as possible, especially if you are a “prediabetic”, is particularly wise before other forms of damage and problems are manifested.
As an aside and separate topic, as developing research and data become more and more available, there is another recent trending adverse factor to the endothelium and that is “spike protein”–most conspicuously from Sars Covid directly through infection and in certain and emerging, still controversial circumstances, may inadvertently be generated from mRNA vaccines that attempt to prevent the more sinister manifestation of disease.
Research finds that this can engender an antigenic autoimmune reaction that is an oxidative stress event that can create foam cells, lower essential nitrous oxide levels, or create mitochondrial impairment–all this sequence of untoward events is very much like the peroxidation of LDL as explained previously, but can likely be even broader in scope and intensity if you are also a smoker.
Foam Cell Explained in a Nutshell
Foam cells are a rich source of proinflammatory mediators and there is strong evidence that supports a central role for inflammation in all phases of the atherosclerotic process which includes the activation of numerous different cell types and chemoattractant agents such as proinflammatory cytokines, macrophages, and T lymphocytes as well as mast cells, neutrophils and dendritic cells [16].
STRATEGIES FOR PROTECTION
Underlying all good and all bad things that can happen to the endothelium ( or whatever tissue or organ) comes down to what affects the “epigenetics” that control and switch on or off given genes. Since plants and animals, billions of years ago had a common origin and a great percent of shared DNA ( still exists more than realized!), botanicals contain thousands of various active compounds that are evolutionarily recognized, familiar, and healthful to keeping our genes healthy.
1. Diet Goals:
A diet that is rich in natural food-based antioxidants!
Essential foundation!
Fruits, vegetables, herbs, nuts, seeds, spices, healthy fats, and oils ( like olive), but avoid excess saturated, processed Omega-6 oils, salt, and trans fats.
Enjoy your tea, coffee in moderation, and herbal infusion teas to your heart’s content.
Good merits even with some modest imbibing of wine and beer–they are also loaded with unique antioxidants that fight free radicals!
There are a number of good dietary choices for one to explore, but significant and prolific confirmatory research on the health benefits of the traditional “Mediterranean Diet” is very well established and emphazied throughout health and medicine as a solid foundation to seriously consider as a priority even before entertaining specialty supplements.
2. Important Supplements that can help inhibit endothelium oxidative stress and foam cell development:
There are many, many botanicals and more being identified all the time, even those “re-purposed” such as Rhodiola on foam cell inhibition notably centered upon its active component Salidroside.
I would conjecture just about any botanical including fruits, berries, and most vegetables, if researched, would provide good efficacy and once again, why a variety of fruits and vegetables are so essential as your “foundation” diet.
I even read a published peer review article on the effectiveness of decaf coffee with Green tea–one just can’t lose!
However, Vitamin C is the centerpiece of the nutrients in most research for its very positive and very broad effect on the endothelium.
Excellent studies “channeling” the concept of the Med Diet, would include olive and garlic-based supplementation as valued and efficacious.
Also, many citations in helping to rid the body of “spike protein” as well free-radical induced inflammation, is the celebrated team of quercetin, zinc, vitamin C and Vitamin D3.
Yes, even small amounts of CBD create vasodilation and enhance the vital nitrous oxide synthesis to keep endothelium flexible and well-oxygenated as well as reduce stress! I have no problem recommending mild and regular mini-dosing as part of a smart health strategy.
3. Lifestyle Decisions
—To smoke or not to smoke, that is the question–really predisposes one to a much higher risk of endothelium dysfunction if you are a smoker.
–Be sure to exercise regularly and actively at all ages, beyond just “puttering around”. Include weight-lifting/resistance exercise if possible–muscle burns more calories than fat tissue and also secretes metabolic enhancing hormones, such as growth hormone and endorphin signals, normalizing insulin/blood sugar, enhancing the immune system, and giving the mitochondria a “tune-up”.
However, adipose tissue in excess secretes inflammatory hormones–exactly the opposite of ideal!
–Manage stress intelligently, both physical and psychological, as drug-free as possible.
–Good sleep is essential, darker the room has proven to be even more profound to better health, better blood sugar than realized, then of course along with ample hydration.
–Try to avoid toxic air and environments as much as possible.
In my wrap-up, Nature will work for you very well by demystifying and implementing consistently uncomplicated and obvious principles of health, wellness, good nutrition, and good lifestyle decisions–good luck and good health!
