Here’s some inside health news that could help protect your heart. It concerns a potentially new health breakthrough in the fight against atherosclerosis. This amazing alternative remedy could help clear away dangerous fatty deposits in your arteries.
You may know about “Ginkgo biloba.” It’s the herb that has been championed for its ability to boost mental function and protect against Alzheimer’s. Recently, researchers have been discovering that “Ginkgo biloba” extract has antioxidant and antiplatelet properties. A Korean research team decided to take the investigation of ginkgo’s heart-healing properties one step further and see if the herb might protect against atherosclerosis.
For their animal study, the researchers used obese, insulin-resistant rats. The rats were given a ginkgo extract and were examined for cell death, artery injury, and DNA fragmentation. The researchers found that ginkgo significantly boosted “adiponectin” levels. Adiponectin is a protein hormone produced and secreted by fat cells. It regulates the metabolism of fats. It also influences your body’s response to insulin. High blood levels of adiponectin are associated with a reduced risk of heart attack. Low levels of adiponectin, on the other hand, are found in people who are obese and at increased risk of a heart attack.
The research team concluded that “Ginkgo biloba” is a potential therapeutic treatment for preventing atherosclerosis.
Atherosclerosis happens when your artery walls progressively get thicker and harder as a result of fatty deposits. High levels of bad cholesterol contribute to the disease, as do smoking and diabetes. Atherosclerosis is largely responsible for angina, heart attacks, and strokes. Get your doctor’s advice about having your cholesterol levels checked and consider taking ginkgo to keep your arteries free from harmful fatty deposits.