| The principal pathology underlying the occurrence | | | | How spices help prevent cardiovascular disease |
| of cardiovascular disease is atherosclerosis, or | | | | Culinary herbs and spices probably contain the |
| hardening of the arteries. Initially this process | | | | widest, most effective cardiovascular-protective |
| causes blood vessel narrowing but the subsequent | | | | compounds of all food categories - their specific |
| rupture of an atheromatous deposit into the | | | | actions are summarized here: |
| lumen of a coronary or cerebral artery usually | | | | - Blood pressure control: Garlic, fenugreek |
| results in a heart attack or thrombotic stroke | | | | - Lower LDL (bad) cholesterol: Caper, coriander, |
| respectively. | | | | cinnamon, fenugreek, garlic, ginger |
| Although the precise mechanisms associated with | | | | - Raise HDL (good) cholesterol): Fenugreek |
| plaque development have not been fully elucidated | | | | - Lower homocysteine levels: Mustard, wasabi, |
| some of these processes, and their associated | | | | horseradish |
| risk factors, are well understood. Central to the | | | | - Anti-inflammatory: Bay leaf, garlic, ginger, |
| atherosclerotic process are two principal factors: | | | | oregano, rosemary, thyme, turmeric |
| | | | - Inhibit platelet aggregation: Clove, ginger, onion, |
| 1. The oxidation and deposition of lipids in the | | | | oregano, rosemary, thyme |
| endothelial lining of blood vessels | | | | Eat a variety of heart healthy spices |
| 2. An insidious inflammatory process that leads to | | | | One can see that the above list includes at least |
| calcification of the atheromatous deposits and the | | | | 10 different culinary herbs and spices - some of |
| eventual rupture of these plaques into the lumens | | | | which have more than one action. That is why it |
| of blood vessels. | | | | is important to eat as many of them as possible. |
| Specific factors known to accelerate | | | | Many people make the mistake of assuming that, |
| atherosclerosis are generally well-known and | | | | by eating large quantities of a single spice (garlic, |
| include smoking, a diet rich in saturated fats, | | | | quite rightly, is well-known as a heart-friendly |
| obesity, lack of exercise and a minimal intake of | | | | spice), they will protect themselves against |
| appropriate phytonutrients. Unfortunately the last | | | | cardiovascular disease. While this is true up to a |
| factor has not really received the attention that it | | | | point it is far more important to eat a range of |
| deserves as we are often (quite rightly) too busy | | | | spices as their actions often complement one |
| eliminating the adverse factors from our diet to | | | | another through the synergistic relationships that |
| focus on the foods that can help to negate many | | | | often exist between these valuable foods. |
| of the environmental risk factors to which we are | | | | To benefit from the cardio-protective effects of |
| exposed. | | | | herbs and spices we should eat as many of those |
| Apart from food-derived substances such as | | | | mentioned in this article as possible. In addition it |
| omega-3 fatty acids, other unsaturated fats and | | | | would be wise for us to include a range of other |
| dietary fibre there are a number of compounds | | | | herbs and spice in our recipes. |
| found in plant foods that are potent inhibitors of | | | | Safety note: |
| atherosclerosis. There are also several categories | | | | Although spices are very safe, if you are planning |
| of phytonutrients that inhibit platelet aggregation - | | | | to substantially increase your intake of these |
| the abnormal clotting process that aggravates | | | | foods and are on medications such as coumadin |
| thrombus formation in heart attacks and | | | | (warfarin) and others, it is important to check |
| thrombotic strokes. | | | | with your health care provider before doing so. |