Cardiovascular diseases include disorders of the heart and blood vessels, and here we will focus on three common conditions that often go hand in hand: hypertension (high blood pressure), high cholesterol, and atherosclerosis. These conditions together contribute to the development of coronary heart disease, stroke, and other serious complications, and are considered the "silent killers" of the modern age.
- High blood pressure (hypertension) refers to persistently elevated pressure of blood against the artery walls. It often has no clear symptoms for years, but long-term it damages blood vessels (especially kidneys, eyes, heart, brain). Possible symptoms include headaches, ringing in the ears, but it is most often detected through measurement.
- High cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia) means that the levels of LDL cholesterol and/or triglycerides in the blood are high, leading to fat deposits in the artery walls. It has no direct symptoms but manifests through the consequences of atherosclerosis (e.g., angina pectoris – chest pain, or leg pain when walking).
- Atherosclerosis is the process of accumulating fatty deposits (plaques) within the artery walls. Over time, plaques narrow blood vessels and reduce blood flow, and they can also rupture, creating a clot. The outcomes are severe conditions: myocardial infarction, stroke, peripheral arterial disease. Symptoms depend on the location – chest pain for coronary artery, calf pain when walking for legs, etc.
The main causes of these cardiovascular problems are: unhealthy diet rich in saturated fats and sugars, insufficient physical activity, smoking, excessive body weight, stress, and genetic predisposition. Chronic inflammation plays a significant role in atherosclerosis – modern science sees plaque not just as a fat deposit, but as an active inflammatory lesion. High LDL cholesterol alone is not enough: when LDL particles oxidize (due to oxidative stress), the immune system attacks them and triggers inflammation in the artery wall. This is how plaque formation begins. In hypertension, high pressure damages the endothelium (inner layer of the blood vessel), which again triggers an inflammatory reaction and facilitates the formation of atherosclerotic deposits.
Thus, inflammation and oxidative stress continuously damage the cardiovascular system when risk factors are present. Elevated CRP (C-reactive protein) is often found in people with high blood pressure and obesity, indicating that inflammation is present even before serious symptoms.
Natural support for the body
A healthy diet can significantly reverse many of these risk factors. Spelt is one of the heroes of cardiovascular health among grains. Firstly, spelt helps in lowering cholesterol: its rich plant fibers bind cholesterol in the intestines and prevent its absorption. Regular consumption of spelt can reduce LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, while some studies suggest an increase in HDL (“good”) cholesterol thanks to fiber and healthy oils intake.
In addition, spelt contains phytosterols (plant sterols) that structurally resemble cholesterol and compete for absorption in the intestines, which also results in lower cholesterol levels in the blood. It is rich in magnesium and potassium – two minerals essential for regulating blood pressure. Potassium helps dilate blood vessels and eliminate excess sodium, thereby lowering pressure, while magnesium relaxes the smooth muscles of blood vessels and contributes to a normal heart rhythm.
Antioxidant components of spelt (selenium, manganese, vitamin E) protect blood vessels from fat oxidation. For example, by preventing the oxidation of LDL cholesterol, its deposition in the arteries is reduced. Thus, spelt directly slows the progression of atherosclerosis. Spelt has a lower glycemic index and helps control body weight, which is important because obesity and high glycemia contribute to both pressure and poor lipid status.
Finally, omega-3 fatty acids added to some spelt products have additional beneficial effects – they reduce triglycerides and soothe inflammation in blood vessels. For all these reasons, spelt is an ideal food for supporting heart and blood vessel health: it contributes to normalizing pressure, cleaning arteries, and preventing complications such as heart attack and stroke.
Take advantage of spelt for your health – incorporate lyophilized spelt juice into your daily routine and provide natural protection for your heart and blood vessels. Your heart will thank you!