Arterial calcification, also known as arteriosclerosis or atherosclerosis, refers to the buildup of plaque in your arteries. If left untreated, eventually the plaque in your arteries – once a sticky substance -- begins to harden. Hardened plaque narrows your arteries, which restricts blood flow throughout your body.
Healthy Diet
The plaque buildup that occurs in arterial calcification is a substance made primarily of fat and cholesterol. According to MayoClinic.com, maintaining a heart-healthy diet may help to lower your risk of developing arterial calcification, or slow down its progression if you already suffer from the problem. An important aspect of a heart-healthy diet is the consumption of whole grains, such as rice bran. Whole grains – including rice bran – may help to prevent or improve arterial calcification due to their richness in dietary fiber.
Whole Grains and Fiber
According to the Harvard School of Public Health, a diet rich in dietary fiber may help to lower your risk of heart disease by helping to prevent or improve arterial calcification of the coronary arteries. Fiber-rich foods such as rice bran may help lower your cholesterol, which may prevent the buildup of plaque in your arteries. There are numerous sources of dietary fiber –- including fruits, vegetables, and legumes –- but fiber and and other whole grains are beneficial in lowering the incidence of heart disease due to arterial calcification.
Nutritional Facts
Rice bran is an excellent source of dietary fiber. One cup of rice bran contains approximately 24.8 grams of total dietary fiber. According to the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, issued by the United States Department of Agriculture, women should consume about 22 grams to 28 grams of fiber per day, while men should consume about 28 grams to 34 grams. Consuming a single cup of rice bran can help you meet -– or nearly meet -– your recommended intake of dietary fiber for the entire day.
Considerations
Keep in mind that there are a variety of other fiber-rich whole grains besides rice bran. Other whole grains that are high in fiber include oat bran, whole wheat, barley, couscous, brown rice, and bulgur. In addition to maintaining a fiber-rich, heart-healthy diet, you can help prevent or improve arterial calcification by engaging in exercise regularly. In general, your goal should be about 30 minutes to 60 minutes per day. Talk to your doctor before beginning any new exercise plan.
References
- Providence Health and Services; Ask a Vascular Expert
- Medline Plus; Atherosclerosis
- Medline Plus; Hardening of the Arteries
- MayoClinic.com; Arteriosclerosis / Atherosclerosis – Lifestyle and Home Remedies
- Alliance Nutrition Equine; What is Rice Bran?
- Harvard School of Public Health; Fiber – Start Roughing It!
- United States Department of Agriculture Nutrient Database
- MayoClinic.com; Healthy Diet – End the Guesswork With These Nutrition Guidelines
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