Atherosclerosis is a degenerative change in the arterial wall.

It leads to a hardening & thickening of the vessel walls, to a loss of elasticity & to a narrowing of the lumen (please imagine a tube that becomes narrower and narrower over time). In the advanced stage, fibrous plaques (arteriosclerotic foci) develop, the intima (inner layer of the wall of the blood vessels) is changed like ulcers (atheromas) and brittle due to the accumulation of calcium, lipids, especially cholesterol. These degenerative (= degenerate) changes in the arterial wall already set in from the age of 25 - 40, but they only progressed so far in later years of life,

that they can lead to symptoms of illness.

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Pathophysiological stages:

Normal finding: endothelium (= vascular lining) asymtomatic, seals the wall of the blood vessels,

regulates the continuation of the blood vessels, is involved in blood clotting.

Endothelial dysfunction:     

Damage to the endothelium, fatty streak                            

Infiltration of plasma components (cholesterol, etc.) and formation of so-called "fatty streaks"

Fibrous plaques : deposition of smooth muscle cells, angina pectoris

Atheromatous plaques : connective tissue fibers and calcium carbonate ("plaques")                                                                        

Plaque rupture: myocardial infarction and thrombus formation, stroke

=> Vascular constriction / occlusion

=> Insufficient blood circulation (ischemia)

Why is nutritional therapy important?

Nutritional therapy supports you in counteracting arteriosclerotic changes.

Weight reduction is essential if you are overweight or obese. The significance increases if there are second or multiple diseases such as increased blood lipid levels, overweight / obesity, hyperuricemia, hypertension, diabetes mellitus (metabolic syndrome). Just like a blood sugar level that is too high, too much cholesterol tends to narrow and harden the blood vessels. Statins (CSE inhibitors) are often administered after a stroke so as not to further promote this arteriosclerosis.

Nutritional therapy supports you in reducing your symptoms overall and thereby positively influencing your health. An energy-adjusted wholesome diet under the supervision of a certified nutritionist can lead to your long-term success. The diet is adapted to your current weight and a jointly defined goal for weight gain / or loss.

The aim is to supply all of the fatty acids, micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) that are important to you, energy and protein in the measure that your body is optimally supplied with. For this purpose, foods that promote inflammation are specifically avoided and plenty of anti-inflammatory foods are consumed. An anti-inflammatory diet can improve your health and strengthen your immune system for more well-being and strength in your everyday life. You will learn how you can actively counteract inflammation through foods that naturally have antifungal (against fungi), antibacterial (against bacteria), antiviral (against viruses) and antioxidant as well as immune-boosting properties - that is, natural antibiotics.

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Table salt: 5-7 g NaCl / day: 85-119mmol Na

Corresponds to the DACH reference values for nutrient intake for healthy adults;

Prevention basis; Basic therapeutic concept in connection with antihypertensive therapy.

(Low-salt diet: 3g NaCl / d; 51 mmol Na; strictly low-salt diet; nowadays of no importance as it is not practicable)

Potassium-rich food, 2-3 g K / day, possibly insert leap days (e.g. extended Kempner rice diet, juice and fruit day, raw food day)

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Tip : Use plenty of herbs and spices to save salt and fat.

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For acetylsalicylic acid or Marcumar therapy:

The risk of blood clots forming on the atherosclerotically changed vessels can be reduced by using acetylsalicylic acid or anticoagulants (e.g. Marcumar®).

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By taking the medication must be in terms of fat soluble  Particular attention should be paid to vitamin K. I will be happy to explain things to you in the consultation when choosing food and dietary supplements.

Favorable factors for the development of arteriosclerosis:

First order risk factors are:

• Hypercholesterolemia

• high blood pressure

• Cigarette consumption - nicotine abuse

Second order risk factors are:

• Diabetes mellitus (type 2)

• Hyperuricemia (increased uric acid level)

• Obesity

• Chronic sedentary lifestyle

First-order risk factors alone can promote the development of arteriosclerotic vascular disease. Second-order risk factors can usually only be effective in combination with one or more other factors.

=> Different risk profile and thus individually adapted nutritional advice according to the respective weighting. Symptoms and possible consequential disorders: The narrowing of the vascular cross-section develops from the intima (inner wall) and causes a reduction in blood flow in the affected vascular section, which can lead to necrosis (= tissue destruction) .

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The main clinical manifestations:

• Heart: Heart attack, coronary heart disease, aneurysm (= enlargement) in the area of the thoracic aorta

• peripheral vessels: occlusions in the area of the pelvic and leg arteries and the upper and lower extremities (arterial occlusive disease: AVK "intermittent claudication")

• Brain: apoplexy

• Kidney: glomerulosclerosis, shrunken kidney (consequence: renal insufficiency, hypertension)

• Intestine: intestinal infarction due to occlusion of the mesenteric artery

• Eye: retinal damage

Blood count:

It is advisable to have your Omega 3 index checked regularly.

This provides information about the supply of valuable omega 3 fatty acids (alpha-linolenic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid), which can significantly counteract inflammatory processes in the body.

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Classification of your weight - definition and classification of weight in relation to height.

Special percentile curves apply to children and adolescents; the BMI cannot simply be used here.

BMI and interpretation: BMI: body mass index. Formula: Body weight in kg : (body height in m) 2

Underweight: <18.5

Normal weight: 18.5 - 24.9

Overweight = pre-obesity: 25-29.9

Obesity grade I: 30 - 34.9

Obesity grade II: 35-39.9

Obesity grade III:> 40 = per magna

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Nutritional therapy

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• Anti-inflammatory diet with moderate salt consumption and a selection of foods rich in potassium.

• Holistic therapy - do you have any comorbidities that need to be taken into account during the consultation?

• Body weight: Weight reduction is recommended if you are overweight / obese.

• Avoid micronutrient deficiencies and mineral deficiencies & possibly counteract them with nutrient preparations

• Prevent protein deficiency

• Which nutrients do I need in which ratio?

• Consume fiber according to the respective level (low fiber or high fiber)

• Sufficient fluid: total fluid per day: 30 - 35 ml per kg body weight and day. Attention, this is not just a drinking liquid. The liquid from food (approx. 500 - 800 ml) must still be subtracted from this, so that an amount of 1.3 - 2 l drinking liquid is created.

• add valuable anti-carcinogenic (anti-cancer) secondary plant substances

• A selection of foods tailored to your needs with cooking and technical information (for breakfast, snacks, lunch, dinner)

• Do you like to eat your warm meal in the evening? I am happy to cater to your individual situation and we will create a plan on how you can implement your wholesome diet into your everyday life.

• Overall fat selection, how should it be designed?

• which oils are good for me? What should I watch out for in relation to the anti-inflammatory diet?

• How much fat spread (butter / margarine / vegetable fat) can I use and which products are recommended?

• Get enough Omgea-3 fatty acids and essential fatty acids

• How can I boost and support my metabolism with natural foods?

• Coordinate sensible meal frequency for your individual case - meal allocation

• What do I have to look out for when choosing animal foods?

• How many animal foods (e.g. meat products, milk and dairy products, cheese, fish products, eggs) are recommended?

• Define the desired weight stabilization / normalization & the estimated period for this

• what should be considered with beverages and alcoholic beverages?

• How does exercise affect your body and thus also your diet?

• Avoid blood sugar fluctuations

• Sweetening foods - sweeteners, glucose, fructose, sugar and sugar substitutes, what can I use and in what quantities? How high is the respective sweetness of the different products?

• what should be considered when baking and cooking?

• what are cheap snacks / main meals

• Eating out - what should you watch out for?

• Vacation, boat trip or hospital stay, what should be considered?

• Flatulence, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, heartburn, loss of appetite, pain related to eating, what can I do about it?

• Daily plans as an example for practical implementation in everyday life

• Enjoyment training

• Optimizing your eating situation

• long-term maintenance of a jointly defined weight

• Strengthen the stomach and intestines with natural foods

• Additional therapy options

• Dietetic products in support of nutritional therapy

• Food supplements - under certain circumstances, a supplement can be useful

• and other topics

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Any questions? I look forward to your call or email. To contact form

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Assistance:

• KISS self-help groups

• Self-help network

• German Infarct Research Aid eV

• German Heart Foundation eV

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