Both arteriosclerosis (calcium deposits) and athrosclerosis (fat deposits) involve a buildup on the inside of artery walls.

There is overwhelming evidence that high blood cholesterol increases the risk of developing atherosclerosis; but cholesterol is not the damaging mechanism. In fact, the risk of atherosclerosis is more accurately assessed by measuring the proportional relationship between HDL cholesterol (the good kind) and LDL cholesterol (the bad stuff). Although not yet clear how, this relationship must in some way reflect each individuals ability to minimize free radical damage to the interior walls of the artery.

The concept of a "passive" buildup of material on artery walls is illogical. The blood in arteries flows more rapidly than the blood returning to the heart in veins. If "passive" buildup were going to occur then it would happen in veins, rather than arteries.

For years the cholesterol, fat, and calcium substances deposited on the artery walls have been thought to be the mechanisms causing heart disease, and low-fat, low-cholesterol diets are commonly recommended. The end result of over ten years of these diet programs is an epidemic increase of fatter and sicker individuals. There's either a lot of diet cheaters, or those diet programs need to be carefully scrutinized and evaluated.

More logical and conclusive research recently shows that free radical damage to the artery walls initiates a natural repair sequence that results in the patching and buildup of calcium and cholesterol deposits.

Although not yet widely publicized, controlling free radicals is a more successful angle for preventing this major cardiovascular disease problem; and has more potential to provide success than restrictive fat and cholesterol diets that have thus far failed.
 
(click here) to read research results on Vitmains C and E, athrosclerosis, and controlling free radical damage.