Bite Lighter Moments Ask a Question Atherosclerosis Free Radicals and Antioxidants Natural sources of Antioxidant Vitamins and Minerals Alpha lipoic acid Atherosclerosis is a common form of hardening of the arteries due to plaque deposition. The arteries are the vessels that carry oxygen and other nutrients from heart to the other parts of body.
Plaques are patches of fatty tissue that collect in the arteries and damage artery walls.
As the fatty deposits accumulate, they reduce the elesticity of the blood vessels and narrow the passageway, thus interfering with the blood flow. The Atherosclerotic vascular disease leads to decreased circulation in the blood vessels of the brain, heart and extremeties. Signs and symptoms of Atheroslerosis Symptoms are often absent until atherosclerosis reaches advanced stages. Symptoms depend on which part of the body has decreased blood flow, and the extent of the disease. Positive family history Diabetes mellitus Cigarette smoking Obesity Sedentary lifestyle Stress Oxidative Stress High levels of plasma homocysteine Oxidative stress Oxygen, the most critical nutrient for life, is the main source of free radicals.