In order for our arteries and blood vessels to be healthy, our body needs a good supply of Vitamin C (Documented by Dr Linus Pauling (Nobel prize) and Dr Matthias Rath). This supply is essential for the production of collagen (Collagen gives strength to the wall of the arteries and blood vessels) and elastin (Elastin is the elastic fibrous material that keeps blood vessels and arteries together).

If our body suffers from a long-term deficiency of Vitamin C, then tiny holes will appear in the arteries. This will prompt the body to patch these little holes by sticking lipoprotein fats on top of the holes. This is produced in the liver. The body produces cholesterol and triglycerides in its attempt to plug in the tiny breaches. These fatty deposits on our arteries are known in modern medicine as "atherosclerosis". It is however a perfectly natural process of repair the body undertakes when damage occurs on the arteries through lack of vitamins.

These deposits can in turn be responsible for high blood pressure and arrhythmia (Irregular heart beat ). Varicose veins have also been linked to the same cause. Dr Matthias Rath wrote a book "Why animals don't get Heart attacks - but people do?" explaining that animals produce vitamin C in their body and we don't and claims that this is why animals do not get heart attack.

A complete lack of vitamin C over a short period of time will result in Scurvy. A long-term deficiency will result in coronary problems.

Rath and Pauling went on to advise a daily intake of 600mg to 3g of vitamin C together with vitamin B complex (especially B3 (nicotinic acid) and B5 (pantothenate)), proper minerals, trace minerals, coenzyme Q10 and amino acids (carnitine) will be the foundation for healthy arteries and the reversal of cardiovascular problems.

Other researchers have also advised on supplementation with Magnesium, amino acid arginine to lower blood pressure. Magnesium, calcium, carnitine, coenzyme Q10 have also been advised to regulate heartbeat (Dr Ralph Matthias).

A study over 10 years of 10,000 people by Dr James Enstrom (University of California Los Angeles) confirmed that American taking a minimum of 300mg of vitamin C each day were 50% less likely (male) and 40% less likely (female) to develop heart disease.

A further study of 87,000 people has also demonstrated that a proper vitamin E intake lowers the risk of cardiovascular problems by one third and vitamin A intake by 30% (Matthias Raph). A result that has never been matched by any modern drug. Why is it then that we keep being pumped with cholesterol lowering drugs when natural vitamins and nutrients found in everyday food do the trick?

A report published in JAMA by Dr Newman and Dr Hulley (Carcinogenicity of lipid-lowering drugs published on 6 January 1996 ) of the San Francisco Medical School state that Cholesterol lowering drugs cause cancer in laboratory animals.

Why are we so depleted of Vitamin C?

The answer is found in our dietary habits. Cardiovascular problems are very much a disease that increased over the last 100 years. Our eating habits have completely changed in that period of time as well. Our ancestors used to eat a lot of vegetables and fruits. Meat was expensive and few could afford it.

Our fields were rich in minerals and the food grown on them contained these important nutrients. Nowadays, through over farming and extensive use of chemicals, our fields are depleted from these essential minerals. Our diets are now rich in animal food (meat and dairy) that further compounds the problem with its high content of fat.

The stress factor

Our body reacts to stress by producing the hormone adrenaline. For every molecule of adrenaline produced, one molecule of vitamin C is needed. A depletion of vitamin C in the body will lead to cardiovascular problems.

Other factors

Smoking, lack of exercise, alcohol abuse, use of drugs.

The sad thing is..

As you may be aware from the EEC has now passed laws to restrict the sales of Vitamins, minerals and other natural products. This means that soon, you will not be able to purchase vitamins in concentration high enough (if at all) to help yourself with various health problems.