Many Americans are already watching their cholesterol levels but now a report by CNN suggests that inflammation plays an equal role in hardening the arteries.
When a person has high cholesterol, it begins to leak into the arterial walls and leads to inflammation, the article explains.
This process causes the cholesterol to accumulate more quickly, which then triggers further inflammation a vicious cycle.
“Inflammation is the common denominator in nearly all of the diseases we deal with,” Dr. James OKeefe of the Mid America Heart Institute told the news provider.
“Heart disease, diabetes, dementia theyre all tied to inappropriate low-grade chronic inflammation.”
However, the article suggested that adults should still be concerned about keeping their cholesterol in check, as well as monitoring inflammation levels.
OKeefe said that a restricted calorie eating plan, such as the Mediterranean diet, could help prevent inflammation. This type of diet is composed of mainly vegetables, fruit, lean protein such as fish, legumes and nuts.
Some people may also want to try nutritional supplements that contain vitamins such as B12. 