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Dietary Causes of Peripheral artery disease and intermittent claudication
Introduction
There are many conditions in Western industrialised societies today that were unheard of, or at least very rare, just a century ago. The same conditions are still unheard of in primitive peoples who do not have the 'benefits' of our knowledge. There is a very good reason for this: They eat what Nature intended; we don't.The diseases caused by our incorrect and unnatural diets are those featured on these pages.
Dietary causes of Peripheral artery disease and intermittent claudication
Carbohydrate-rich 'healthy' diet; polyunsaturated vegetable oils and margarines, processed convenience foods.Peripheral arterial disease
Peripheral arterial disease whether symptomatic or not, refers to a disease which blocks or partially blocks the arteries of the legs and feet. It affects between 10% and 25% of people over the age of 50.
Peripheral arterial disease is most commonly caused by blood clots and clogged arteries but may reflect another disease such as arteritis, aneurysm, or embolism.
In recent years, it has become evident that peripheral arterial disease is an important predictor of substantial coronary and stroke risk. A 10-year study conducted at the University of Minnesota found several factors that increased the risk of peripheral arterial disease. These were raised levels of glucose and insulin in the blood and the effects of the raised blood glucose and insulin levels.[1]
Blood cholesterol was not implicated.
Intermittent claudication
Intermittent claudication is a cramping pain most often seen in the calf and leg muscles, which is induced by exercise and relieved by rest. This is the opposite of the sort of cramps one might bet while lying in bed.
Intermittent claudication is the result of partial or complete blockages of the leg arteries caused by an inadequate supply of blood to the affected area. Leg pulses are often absent and feet are often cold. Intermittent claudication is a complication of diabetes. Intermittent claudication can lead to gangrene and is the most common reason for leg amputation.
Getting blood glucose levels down has been found to be very effective in alleviating this condition.[2] And the best way to do that is with a low-carb diet.
References
1. Wattanakit K, et al. Risk factors for peripheral arterial disease incidence in persons with diabetes: the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study. Atherosclerosis 2005;180: 389-97.
2. Gaede P, et al. Multifactorial intervention and cardiovascular disease in patients with type 2 diabetes. N Engl J Med 2003; 348: 383-393.
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