Pauling, Rath proposed a unified theory based on their research findings which in simple terms is: sufficient amounts of Vitamin C, Lysine and Proline prevent and reverse heart disease by providing collagen integrity and neutralizing Lipoprotein(a) molecules. Following are some important scientific observations any one can easily grasp and come to commonsense conclusions and proceed on further research into those areas.
- Almost all of the animals produce their own Vitamin C except humans, primates and guinea pigs.
- Vitamin C is essential for collagen formation.
- Collagen is what holds us together, gives strength and forms structural fibers essential for many connective tissues and arteries including the aorta, the main artery near heart.
- Vitamin C participates in collagen synthesis by providing hydrogen and oxygen to two amino acids lysine and proline.
- Arteries near heart are constantly subjected to higher mechanical stresses which causes tears in them if enough good quality collagen is not present.
- Once there is a tear in the artery, a type of cholesterol with sticky particles called lipoprotein-a or Lp(a) is called into action to patch the injured area by sticking to exposed lysine and proline binding sites of the tears.
- Lp(a) is absent in animals that produce their own Vitamin C.
These definitely address the structural crux of the heart disease problem to a large extent. I may add that a high biologically available silica and chromium polynicotinate should be considered as part of this puzzle as well. These are often overlooked trace elements that play a crucial role. Silica is important in collagen formation and is found to diminish with age in the aorta. Chromium is often found in negligible amounts in the arteries of people dying of heart disease.
