The elasticity and flexibility of our arteries diminishes as we get older, resulting in stiffening. This may lead to a condition called atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries. The stiffened blood vessels can become clogged with fatty plaque often produced by long years of cumulative cholesterol, saturated and trans fats attaching to the walls of our veins.

What precisely causes atherosclerosis is still not 100% clear. However, experts agree that a genetic susceptibility and a combination of life style factors may accelerate the process. Diets high in saturated fats and cholesterol, cigarette use, excessive stress and lack of exercise are contributing factors to atherosclerosis.

We are what we eat:
Diet definitely plays an important role in development and treatment of atherosclerotic disease. Many medical studies correlate atherosclerotic plaque high levels of bad blood cholesterol, and confirm that atherosclerotic disease can be slowed and even reversed by lowering blood cholesterol levels. Limiting total fat intake to 20 to 30 percent of our calories, with saturated fats contributing to only 10 of these can have a positive effect in controlling, avoiding and even reversing atherosclerosis.

Additionally, reducing intake of trans fatty acids and hydrogenated fats is also important. Trans fats can be found in commercially produced cookies and crackers, as well as snack foods such as potato chips. These fats are the result of hydrogenation and are known to raise your LDL (bad) cholesterol levels.

Dr. Dean Ornish (Cardiologist), has developed a comprehensive dietary plan to treating heart disease, combining healthy low-fat diets with exercise as well as stress management techniques. An atherosclerotic disease reversal regiment limits fat calories to only 10 percent or the daily diet and almost eliminates fats of the saturated type.

Atherosclerotic Disease
The Vegetarian Dietary Approach:
Be a vegetarian with an organized dietary approach targeting the management or reversal of atherosclerotic disease. By just being a vegetarian you may already be less prompt to many diseases caused by meat consumption, which includes arthrosclerosis. However, many vegetarians eat high amount of dairy products and eggs, the trick is to have the proper intake of nutrients that will guide you towards the path of health.

To manage you Atherosclerotic Disease:

1. Avoid meats, of course (this is a vegetarian website). Use tofu in stir-fries instead.
2. Add 25 g of soy protein to your daily diet. Try tofu or soy nuts. Many studies have shown that eating this daily amount of soy may contribute to up to 15 percent reduction of LDL cholesterol.
3. Cook with olive or vegetable oil instead of butter of margarine. Most margarines and butters are high in cholesterol and saturated fats.
4. Choose low fat cheese. Even public establishments such as delis now carry low fat dairy products to satisfy the public's needs. You can even replace cheese with a slice of avocado, which is very tasty an contains healthy fats.
5. Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables for vitamin C, beta carotene and folate. 
6. Consume plenty of wheat germ, nuts and vegetable oils to intake enough vitamin E. 
7. Eat as much apples, oatmeal, lentils and legumes for soluble fiber.
8. Choose lower fat milk or have soy fortified drinks in place of cow's milk. 
9. Cut down on cookies, cakes and snack foods rich in trans fatty acids, as well as high-cholesterol foods. Cut on margarines and anything that contains saturated fats.
10. Have baked potatoes instead of french fries and use low-fat yogurt in place of sour cream.
11. Enjoy fruit served with frozen sherbet or low-fat frozen yogurt instead of ice cream for desert.

Antioxidants help:
Studies have shown that beta carotene and vitamins C and E protect against atherosclerotic disease by preventing LDL cholesterol from accumulating and forming plaque. A good supplemental source of powerful antioxidants can be beneficial to obtain the recommended intake of fruits and vegetables.