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Blood clots: Three foods that cause the arteries to 'harden and narrow' - 'avoid' says NHS

Blood clots that form without good reason can be extremely dangerous. One of the most dangerous types is associated with atherosclerosis - a potentially serious condition whereby arteries become clogged with fatty substances called plaques, or atheroma. According to the NHS, eating too much of three popular foods can increase your risk of atherosclerosis and the type of blood clot associated with it.

As the health body explains, the plaques involved in atherosclerosis cause the arteries to "harden and narrow", restricting the blood flow and oxygen supply to vital organs.

This in turn increases the risk of blood clots that could potentially block the flow of blood to the heart or brain.

According to the NHS, you should "avoid" foods that are high in saturated fats, salt or sugar to reduce your risk of atherosclerosis.

A recent study published in the journal Science explains how saturated fat promotes plaque build-up.

READ MORE: Blood clots: The nation's favourite drink could make your blood sticky - increasing risk 

 

Foods high in saturated fat, sugar and salt can increase risk of 'narrowing' arteries© Getty Images

The study suggests that consuming food rich in saturated fat and choline - a nutrient found in red meat, eggs and dairy products - increases the number of metabolites - a substance formed in or necessary for metabolism - that build plaques in the arteries.

"Our study shows how a high-fat diet disrupts the bacterial balance in the gut and leads to the production of harmful substances implicated in cardiovascular diseases," said Andreas Bäumler, professor of medical microbiology and immunology at UC Davis Health and co-lead author on the study.

Choline is a common component of a Western-style high-fat diet. When bacteria in the gut break down food containing choline, they produce a metabolite known as trimethylamine (TMA).

TMA is made in the gut but oxidised and converted in the liver into TMAO (trimethylamine-N-oxide).

The study showed that the microbiota does not break down choline when it is consumed with a low-fat diet.

But saturated fatty acids present in a high-fat diet weaken the intestinal lining's ability to balance the microbiota and prevent oxygen leakage into the intestine.

"The increased oxygen availability resulting from a high-fat diet escalates microbial metabolization of choline, leading to elevated TMAO levels in the blood," said Professor Bäumler.

"This, in turn, creates more risk for heart disease and plaque deposits in arteries."

Other risk factors for atherosclerosis

Making healthy lifestyle changes can reduce your risk of developing atherosclerosis and may help stop it getting worse.

According to the health body the Mayo Clinic, lack of exercise and obesity can increase your risk.

According to the NHS, you should aim for a body mass index (BMI) of 18.5 to 24.9 to maintain a healthy body weight.

Smoking and other tobacco use can also spur on the development of atherosclerosis, warns the health body. 

 

Ageing is a risk factor for atherosclerosis© Getty Images

If you're looking to stop smoking, you can call the NHS Smokefree helpline for advice on 0300 123 1044 or ask your GP about stop smoking treatments.

Unfortunately, some risk factors cannot be changed.

Ageing and a family history of early heart disease are risk factors for atherosclerosis. 

Reference: Daily Express: Adam Chapman 

Edible mushroom: Experts weigh in on health benefits, nutrition facts, and more

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Perspective from Kiran Dhaliwal

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Reference: Faith Seke, PhD, Agronomy and Crop Science (ongoing)/Master's degree, Food Science and Technology/Bachelor's degree in food science and nutrition honor's degree and Kiran Dhaliwal, Master's Degree Nutrition and Dietetics - 27 Sept

Capsicum: Experts weigh in on health benefits, nutrition facts, and more

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Reference: Microsoft Health: Caroline Luiza C. Castro, Master's in Nutrition Sciences and Madison Shaw, Bachelor of Science in Dietetics and Nutrition

Arthritis: Certain spice has ‘significant' effect on osteoarthritis - study

Arthritis and other joint problems currently affect around 10 million people in the UK. They can cause serious pain and inflammation in the joints, while restricting movement. While there is no cure for the condition there are ways to help ease the symptoms.

Like many medical conditions, there is proof that diet can have an impact on arthritis.

Specifically, studies have shown how ginger works to tackle some of the complications.

One paper, published in the Arthritis and Rheumatology journal, considered the effects of the root on osteoarthritis - one type of the condition.

Osteoarthritis affects almost nine million people in the UK, making it the most common form of the condition in the region.

To begin with, it compromises the smooth cartilage lining of the joint, making movement more difficult and leading to pain and stiffness.

It mainly affects joints in the hands, knees, spine and hips.

As part of the research, conducted by academics from the University of Miami, more than 260 patients with osteoarthritis of the knee took part in a six week trial.

Patients were given either ginger extract or a placebo twice daily, with acetaminophen allowed as rescue medication.

Arthritis© Getty Images 

It mainly affects joints in the hands, knees, spine and hips.

As part of the research, conducted by academics from the University of Miami, more than 260 patients with osteoarthritis of the knee took part in a six week trial.

Patients were given either ginger extract or a placebo twice daily, with acetaminophen allowed as rescue medication.

It found: "In the 247 evaluable patients, the percentage of responders experiencing a reduction in knee pain on standing was superior in the ginger extract group compared with the control group (63 percent versus 50 percent).

"Analysis of the secondary efficacy variables revealed a consistently greater response in the ginger extract group compared with the control group."

It concludes: "A highly purified and standardised ginger extract had a statistically significant effect on reducing symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee."

A separate study, published in Clinics journal, showed how ginger could have anti-inflammatory properties.

It tested the use of ginger extract on rats with liver cancer.

It says: "In conclusion, ginger extract significantly reduced the elevated expression of NFkappaB (a protein complex that controls cell survival) and tumour necrosis factor-alpha in rats with liver cancer.

"Ginger may act as an anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory agent by inactivating NFkappaB through the suppression of the pro-inflammatory TNF-alpha."

The second most common type of arthritis is rheumatoid arthritis, which is when the body's immune system targets affected joints, causing pain and swelling. 

Arthritis© Express.co.uk

It is an autoimmune condition, which means it's caused by the immune system attacking healthy body tissue

In comparison, there are a number of factors that can cause or raise your risk of osteoarthritis including:

• Joint injury
• Other conditions (secondary arthritis)
• Age Family history
• Obesity.

 

Symptoms of arthritis will depend on what type you have, but can include:

• Joint pain, tenderness and stiffness
• Inflammation in and around the joints
• Restricted movement of the joints
• Warm red skin over the affected joint
• Weakness and muscle wasting. 

Reference: Daily Express: Fiona Callingham