Coronary and Carotid Plaque: What is the Cause?

Most people and even physicians will have the knee-jerk response that the plaque found in the coronary and carotid arteries is filled with cholesterol.
If you have read my past articles we now understand that cholesterol is laid down as a Band-Aid to repair damaged blood vessels. Contrary to what many people have been led to believe, cholesterol is “not” the villain. We have been chasing the wrong suspect!

The real culprit leading to damage to blood vessels are the environmental pollutants that we silently tank up on from the time we are first conceived and are still in the uterus until the day we die.
Pathologists have proven that at the core of coronary and carotid plaque are pesticides, plasticizers, heavy metals, volatile organic hydrocarbons and the many other pollutants that we are all unavoidably exposed to every day.
In fact, thousands of researchers have proven that environmental pollutants may be at the root of every disease from high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, cancers, Alzheimer's, lipidemia, heart attacks, arthritis, to glandular failures, colitis, depression, bizarre neurologic and auto-immune diseases, and much more.
This is a bold statement to make. However, it is quite accurate.
If you are suffering with a chronic health issue that has been resistant to conventional medicine treatment you should seriously consider consulting with a functional medicine practitioner and have your toxic environmental load evaluated.
I have personally witnessed the amazing health improvements when we lower the toxic environmental loads on my sickest patients.
To find a healthcare professional certified in functional medicine, go to www.FunctionalMedicineDoctors.com.These are clinicians who have been trained at Functional Medicine University (www.FunctionalMedicineUniversity.com)

References:

Dr. Ronald Grisanti D.C., D.A.B.C.O., D.A.C.B.N., MS

Lind PM, et al, Circulating levels of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and carotid atherosclerosis in the elderly, Environ Health Persp 120; 1:38-43, 2012
Lind PM, et al, Circulating levels of bisphenol A and phthalates are related to carotid atherosclerosis in the elderly, Atherosclerosis 218; 1:207-13, 2011
Sergeev AV, et al, Residential proximity to environmental sources of persistent organic pollutants and first time hospitalizations for myocardial infarction with co-morbid diabetes: a 12-year population-based study, Internat J Occupat Med Health 23;1:5-13, 2010
The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of Dr. Grisanti and his functional medicine community. Dr. Grisanti encourages you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional. Visit www.FunctionalMedicineUniversity.com for more information on our training in functional medicine.