According to a recent article published by WomenCitizen.com, aloe vera may help promote healthy blood pressure levels through oxygenation and protecting the body against oxidative stress. The plant increases blood circulation by supporting clear, healthy arteries for smooth blood flow, which may also help enhance a person's heart health.

Some people who have joint and muscle discomfort experience impaired mobility that affects their quality of life. However, the news provider reported that aloe vera contains anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties that promote cell growth and help repair damaged tissue, which may improve joint health and comfort.

Finally, aloe vera may be used for detoxification, the news source explained. Some people drink aloe vera juice to naturally cleanse their digestive systems and increase their bodies' ability to absorb essential nutrients.

According to the National Institutes of Health, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the plant for use as a natural food flavoring.

Researchers at St. Michael's Hospital and the London Health Sciences Centre explored the association between nonalcoholic fatty liver disease—a condition in which fat accumulates in the liver of non-drinkers—and stroke.

Lead author Joel Ray, M.D M.Sc., and his colleagues reviewed a total of 103 adults who had a MRI-proven acute stroke between 2005 and 2009. They compared these patients' data to that of 200 people who had a normal MRI but suspected acute stroke.

"The risk of stroke in relation to fatty liver disease has never been tested," Ray explained. "Our study shows a strong link between the two. It [may lead to] the possibility that markers of fatty liver may be used to predict the risk of stroke and help us better care for at-risk patients."

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is a common condition that often has no symptoms or complications. Risk factors include obesity, high cholesterol, diabetes and insulin resistance.

Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States, with more than 143,579 individuals dying each year from the disease, according to the Stroke Center.

The researchers explained that being pear-shaped – carrying weight primarily around the hips and thighs – may be less risky than apple-shaped for people with coronary artery disease.

"The association between fatness and mortality might rely more on measures of fat distribution than on the amount of body fat," said the study's authors.

The Cleveland Clinic reports that individuals may lower their risk of developing coronary artery disease by refraining from smoking, cutting back on foods that are high in fat and cholesterol and increasing levels of physical activity. The organization also states that it is important to limit alcohol consumption to one drink per day.

A recent study published in Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry indicates that using smoke from rice hulls may provide consumers with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory ingredients that could potentially decrease the risk of cardiovascular problems.

According to the researchers, more than 136 million tons of rice hulls are thrown away annually, since the hard shells cannot be eaten and are removed before rice is packaged.

The study's results showed that the flavoring from smoked hulls did not illicit an allergic response. Moreover, the investigators said they believe that individuals may benefit from the anti-inflammatory compounds produced by the liquid smoke, since many Americans develop inflamed cells and clogged arteries due to poor diet and lack of exercise.

"New food uses of a major agricultural byproduct may benefit the environment, farmers, and consumers," said the study's authors.

The paper, which is published in the current issue of the journal Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology, revealed that Nrf2 could also be useful in battling the cell and tissue damage that can lead to atherosclerosis.

Lead author Jesus Araujo and his team discovered that, although the compound boosted antioxidant properties in an animal model, it actually appeared to increase the development of atherosclerosis by raising cholesterol levels in the liver.

"We were very surprised at the finding," Araujo said. "In fact, the atherosclerosis-producing factors were greater than the antioxidant benefits. This research may help shed light on why treatments affecting this protein may not be as effective as we thought."

According to WebMD, atherosclerosis is the main cause of heart attacks, strokes and peripheral vascular disorders. Cardiovascular disease is the number one killer in America.

This condition, which affects up to 12 million Americans, is caused by poor circulation in the legs that is a result of fatty deposits building up in the arteries.

"Peripheral artery disease is the most common, deadly and costly cardiovascular disease that the public hasn't heard of," Alan T. Hirsch, a professor at the University of Minnesota Medical School's cardiovascular division, told the news provider.

Many, like Molnar, are unaware that they even have the condition.

The news source reports that maintaining a proper diet and regular exercise can reduce the risk of peripheral artery disease significantly.

LiveStrong.com reports that looking for rich sources of omega-3 fatty acids, cod liver oil or calcium can help cure clogged arteries. Drinking green tea and eating garlic may also help.

A research team at Tufts University studied the effects of oat compounds, called avenanthramides, on arterial health.

They say that their findings suggest the avenanthramides of oats decrease the expression of inflammatory molecules that can lead to chronic inflammation and eventually a hardening of the arteries known as atherosclerosis.

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), atherosclerosis is a common disorder of the arteries. It occurs when fat, cholesterol and other substances build up in the walls of arteries and form hard structures called plaques. Eventually, the plaques can make the artery narrow and less flexible, making it harder for blood to flow. If the coronary arteries become narrow, blood flow to the heart can slow down or stop. This can cause chest pain, shortness of breath and other symptoms.

Among the ways to keep your arteries healthy are eating a low-fat diet, exercising regularly, maintaining your weight and avoiding smoking and drinking alcohol.

The study is published in the scientific journal Free Radical Biology & Medicine.

Eating oats has previously been shown to improve health and lower the risk of coronary heart disease by helping to lower cholesterol.

Researchers at the University of California San Francisco followed 3,258 men and women aged 18 to 30 for two decades with repeated measurements of LDL and HDL cholesterol as well as triglycerides. At the end of the study, participants had their coronary artery calcium, which is indicative of atherosclerotic plaque buildup in the coronary arteries, measured by a CT scan.

They found that individuals exposed to higher levels of LDL ("bad") cholesterol or lower levels of HDL ("good") cholesterol during young adulthood were more likely to develop coronary calcium.

Atherosclerosis, or blockages in the coronary artery from cholesterol and plaque, can lead to heart attack and stroke.

"The study shows that cholesterol levels in young adults are more important than we previously believed, because even the moderate non-optimal levels that are present in most young adults may alter their health decades later," said the study’s lead author, Stephen Hulley, M.D. "For many people in their 20s and 30s, it probably matters in the long run what they eat and how much they exercise, even though their risk for having a heart attack in the short term is low."

According to Reuters, researchers studied nearly 12,000 adults in Scotland and found those with poor oral hygiene had a 70 percent increased risk of heart disease compared with those who brushed twice a day and who were less likely to have unhealthy gums.

"Compared to things like smoking and poor diet, which are obviously the main risk factors for heart disease, we are not claiming this is in the same league," lead researcher Richard Watt told the news provider. "But even after controlling for all those things there is a still a relationship between this very simple measure of tooth brushing and heart condition."

Watt said that gum disease and its accompanying inflammation can contribute to clogged arteries. Blood tests on subjects with poor oral hygiene were also positive for two factors called C-reactive protein and fibrinogen – both of which signal inflammation in the body.

Researchers at the Medical College of Georgia have found that children with a greater body mass index, more body fat and less endurance had stiffer central arteries compared to leaner and fitter children. Stiff arteries are a hallmark of atherosclerosis, which is when arteries become clogged.

They looked at overweight or obese children between the ages of 8 and 11 years, half of whom participate in aerobic exercises such as jumping rope and playing basketball after school while the other half participate in sedentary activities, such as board games and crafts, for their findings.

Lead researcher Dr. Catherine Davis said that identifying sedentary, overweight kids early could help hasten preventive measures.

In addition to the stiff arteries, Davis’ team also discovered that regular exercise decreases metabolic risks linked to cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

Obesity rates in the U.S. have tripled in the past 30 years and as many as one third of American children are considered obese.

First lady Michelle Obama recently launched the "Let’s Move" initiative to help solve the obesity epidemic facing the nation.