Thousands of scientists have being trying to answer this question for decades. Obviously, the right answer would put the end to the misery caused by atherosclerosis. These studies have resulted in advice to prevent the disease by changing behavior and dietary preferences. Biochemical studies, including investigations of experimental models of atherosclerosis in laboratory animals and cell cultures, morphological and biochemical analysis of atherosclerotic lesions, and other work, showed that many different factors and biochemical processes in different organs are involved in the complicated development of atherosclerotic lesions.
Every hypothesis concentrates on a particular aspect of the atherosclerotic process.
One hypothesis proposed by Linus Pauling and a colleague suggests that an ascorbic acid deficiency underlies atherosclerosis. Vitamin C may act to strengthen the arterial wall, thereby precluding the development of plaque. Dr. Pauling published three case reports in which he described the therapeutic daily use of 3 to 6 grams of vitamin C and lysine to ameliorate angina pectoris, or chest pain, possibly by decreasing arterial plaque. More recent evidence indicates that vitamin C improves the relaxation of blood vessels, which may explain the ameliorating effect of vitamin C on angina pectoris. Two lines of evidence connect the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis to oxidative processes.