Vascular calcification: Cause of many diseases

Whether you feel physically and mentally fit depends primarily on the blood flow to your organs, brain and muscles. This is also logical because the vascular system is responsible for supplying the body with oxygen and nutrients. If the body's tissue is not properly supplied with blood due to vascular constrictions -- no matter the cause -- it can not adequately carry out its tasks. In the worst case, this deficiency can lead to the death of the affected region, or even to death of a person when vital organs such as the heart or brain are affected. The arteriosclerotic change of the vessels is therefore the cause of many serious diseases.

Course of arteriosclerosis

Blood vessel diseases can develop over many years and remain initially symptomless. With increasing loss of elasticity of the arteries due to thickening and hardening and subsequent calcification, the vessel diameter decreases and circulatory disorders occur. This reduced blood flow leads to thrombosis and thus to blockage in the vessel: Heart attack, stroke or other occlusive diseases of the arteries, such as intermittent claudication, are the result. Potency disorders in men can also be caused by vascular calcification.

Progress of the disease:

- Inflammatory changes in the blood vessels
- Wall hardening
- Thickened and constricted vessels with lack of elasticity
- Disorders of the vascular metabolism with damage to the vascular wall, such as cracks and detachment of the inner wall layer
- Formation and accumulation of blood clots
- Storage of proteins, fats and calcium salts
- Circulatory disorders of the affected tissue
- Vascular occlusion with death of the area lacking supply

How magnesium helps in arteriosclerosis

Anyone who pays attention to adequate magnesium intake does not have to fear such diseases. Damage can be reversed to a certain degree if magnesium is ingested consistently and the risk factors mentioned are reduced as much as possible. Magnesium relaxes the blood vessels and thus normalizes increased blood pressure. At the same time, magnesium lowers LDL levels, the harmful form of cholesterol, by reducing the activity of the enzyme responsible for its formation. Substances such as lovastatin, pravastatin or simvastatin, which are prescribed by doctors to lower high cholesterol levels, do not cause harm. But their use is associated with considerable side effects. With sufficient magnesium, the body naturally regulates cholesterol levels, while cholesterol-lowering drugs can cause liver damage, muscle disorders and depression, to name a few of the major side effects.

So if the body has enough magnesium available, cholesterol is not produced in abundance, but limited to what is necessary, for example, to form hormones and cell membranes. At the same time, magnesium activates special enzymes that are responsible for breaking down the "bad" LDL cholesterol and other blood lipids (such as triglycerides) and for building up the "good" HDL cholesterol. Magnesium therefore has an extremely positive effect on the composition of blood lipids.

In addtion to its benefits on blood lipids, magnesium also prevents the accumulation  of calcium in the damaged arteries and thus the calcification of existing fat deposits. A good supply of magnesium promotes the incorporation of calcium into the bones and reduces free calcium in the blood.

Tips for avoiding arteriosclerosis

Arteriosclerosis is considered as the basis for many serious diseases such as heart attacks, strokes and dementia. Their development is decisively dependent on our lifestyle.

- Stop smoking immediately!
- Take a daily high-dose magnesium substitution, possibly alternated with curing intravenous infusions.
- Special attention to basic nutrition (lots of vegetables and fruit), possibly take a base powder
- Consumer Omega-3 fatty acids
- Taking antioxidants like curcumin, alpha-lipoic acid, glutathione, resveratrol, or astaxanthin
- Perform daily physical activity, at least 30 minutes
- Drink alcohol in moderation
- Ensure a balanced calcium-magnesium ratio (maximum 2 to 1)
- Drink sufficient water, at least 30 ml (1 ounce) per kilogram (2.2 pounds) body weight