Category: General

Plaque is composed of lipids (fats and cholesterol), calcium, white blood cells, muscle cells, and connective tissue. It is metabolically active and can be hotter than surrounding tissues. White blood cells enter and modify the plaque by becoming part of its structure and by secreting enzymes that degrade the fibrous cap that covers the plaque. Plaque formation starts in early adulthood and progresses at varying rates depending on many factors. Generally, as plaque grows, more calcium accumulates within the plaque structure.  Because cholesterol is a significant component of plaque, it became a major focus of drug research—to the detriment, I believe, of investigating other promoters of atherosclerosis. Though elevated cholesterol can accelerate atherosclerosis, it is not the only cause of the problem. Some people with high cholesterol never get heart disease, and others with normal cholesterol develop extensive atherosclerosis. The reason for this is that not all cholesterol is the same, and cholesterol is not the only factor to consider. Plaque goes through many stages. Plaque usually progresses from being soft (and vulnerable to rupture) to a harder, relatively more stable stage. Because soft plaque is more unstable than hard plaque, it is more dangerous. Mixed plaque contains soft and...

Atherosclerosis is a complex subject under continuous study by cardiology researchers. Why do humans get plaque? What is plaque? What is it made of? Why does plaque form in some areas and not others? The answers to these questions may surprise you. Our understanding of atherosclerosis is still evolving, and new risk factors continue to emerge. Atherosclerosis (arterial plaque) results from the process of atherogenesis,[1] and unchecked atherogenesis often results in a heart attack. Arteriosclerosis is a similar-sounding term but refers to hardening (and loss of elasticity) of the arteries. It causes high blood pressure. In the most basic terms, plaque is the body’s response to injury at the artery wall. We used to call the plaque in arteries a “callus” analogous to the thickening of the skin in response to mechanical friction and pressure. This is one reason it is imperative to stay up to date if you are a doctor interested in preventive cardiology or if you are a patient keen on avoiding a heart attack. Injury comes in two types: mechanical and chemical. Mechanical injury includes arterial stretching caused by the effects of blood pressure on the artery wall and shear stress caused by the frictional forces...

Like most of us, I have a personal story that got me into this. I grew up in Simsbury, Connecticut, in the 1960s and 1970s. My father died tragically on May 11, 1974, at the age of forty-seven while on a family canoe trip. While we were attempting to navigate through a series of bridge pylons, our canoe capsized and the whole family was immersed in the frigid spring waters of the Farmington River. Although the stated cause of my father’s death was drowning, the coroner believed that a heart attack is what prevented him from swimming to shore. In May, the water in Connecticut is still very cold. Sudden immersion in frigid water causes a dramatic rise in heart rate and blood pressure, which can put too much stress on a weak system and result in a stroke or heart attack. I’m sure the cold was too much for my dad’s heart. He had a high-stress job as a production manager at a Hartford, Connecticut, television station at the time. He was also overweight, had high cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia), got zero regular exercise, and had high blood pressure (hypertension).             This accident happened on my twelfth birthday, which happened to be...

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) Injections work with a low calorie diet to provide sustainable weight loss. We at NatureMed have been providing hCG injections along with comprehensive medical supervision, lab work and follow up for 6 years. We have helped hundreds of patients. Fat loss occurs while sparing lean muscle because of the hCG. Injections are the only way to go and the only FDA approved method for administering hCG as well. Homeopathic hCG drops have been banned by the FDA. We give a comprehensive diet plan as well as email and phone support to patients. Twenty day and forty days options are available.

Boulder Award Program Honors the Achievement BOULDER July 4, 2014 -- NatureMed has been selected for the 2014 Best of Boulder Award in the Health Clinics category by the Boulder Award Program. Each year, the Boulder Award Program identifies companies that we believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and our community. These exceptional companies help make the Boulder area a great place to live, work and play. Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2014 Boulder Award Program focuses on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the Boulder Award Program and data provided by third parties. About Boulder Award Program The Boulder Award Program is an annual awards program honoring the achievements and accomplishments of local businesses throughout the Boulder area. Recognition is given to those companies that have shown the ability to use their best practices and implemented programs to generate competitive advantages and long-term value. The Boulder Award Program was established to recognize the best of local...