In my twenty-two years of clinical practice I’ve noticed a direct correlation between allergy, heart and circulatory impairment in most of the people I’ve treated for heart-related problems. The research of leading allergists corroborates my own observations.

The allergic reaction involves the release of histamine by the tiny red blood cells known as the blood platelets. Histamine makes the blood vessel walls more permeable which allows the leakage of fluid and protein substances from them into the surrounding tissue. This fluid in the tissues gives rise to the swelling that accompanies allergic reactions. Over time an excess of histamine can cause tissue damage if it’s continually released into a given area. It’s highly probable that in some people artery-lining damage is caused this way.

The experts also agree that the artery walls, for some reason, become permeable to fat and cholesterol. Fat and cholesterol get in behind the artery lining pushing it out into the hollow centre of the artery. This little bump with its roughened (damaged) surface makes an ideal fat and cholesterol trap—catching more of both as they pass. The more fat and cholesterol there is in the blood the easier it is to catch some and so build the little bump up. The further the bump pushes out into the hollow of the artery the easier it is to trap passing fat and cholesterol. So the bigger the bump grows the faster it grows.

The little blood platelets that release the histamine are very sticky by nature and many of them collide with and stick to the bump as well. Platelets love to clump together. Indeed one of their roles is to form clots (clumps) to prevent bleeding from damaged blood vessel walls. Perceiving the artery lining as damaged they willingly form a clot around the roughened area (and/or developing bump) which only adds to the size and stickiness of it.

To lower the fat/cholesterol levels of the blood is only part of the story. Stopping blood platelets releasing histamine at a given area is the only thing that is going to stop those same platelets forming a clot around the area of roughened artery lining. By continuing to damage the tissue around it the bump continues to grow in length and width as well as depth.

As dramatic as this sounds it must be remembered that the body is very tough and its powers of regeneration excellent. For this reason it takes years for lumps (atheromas) to grow to artery-blocking proportions.

There’s no doubt the allergy factor is the reason some people still die from heart attack despite being on strict anti-cholesterol diets.

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