Aortic stenosis is +/- 2% once age 65 and +/-4% for those over
85; but that's still
+/-300,000 valve replacements done yearly for it. I'm not passing myself as the doctor here, so following is what I think is relevant science.

The cytokine TGF-B1 (transforming growth factor beta)is seen in the blood progressively more as the aortic stenosis pathology worsens. Other elevated indicators
are fibronectin, collagen I & II, plus sarcomeric protein myosin light-chain 2.

All of the preceeding seem to be driven by TGF-B1 kinase-1 (TAK1) pathway, &/or TGF/SMAD transcription factors. The obstructive build up involves TGF-B1 inducing a pheno-type alteration of the local fibroblasts into more of a matix.

It's altered the valvular cells' environment, so to speak, and so extra cellular matrix (ECM) components acrue. Calcium in circulation is capable of depositing in the aged valve matrix; which, scaffolding matrix, youth don't have to "trap" the calcium.

The treatment of very high
vitamin D would down-regulate the cytokine TGF-B1, high vitamin K2 encourage matrix solubility and restricted calcium mineral with it's ion dynamics take the load off valve.

Doc, this is a phenomenal result!!  Thanks should be given to your keen medical insight and willingness to try alternative medicine in helping your patients!  You have what I consider to be probably the best website of its kind on the internet.  
     I live in a Chicago S/W suburb, which is really not that far, from your Milwaukee Office.  I have gone to your city a few times on business over the past couple of years and I regret not making an appointment in getting an exam.  One of these days I will make the trip to see you with or without an accompanying business trip.  Maybe this will spur more folks from the Chicago area to make the trip up North.

Excellent work Dr.Davis.Vitamin K2 ensures that calcium ends up where we want it.The combination of vitamins D3
and K2 has many benefits.

I am thrilled to read this thread. I am a 64 y/o woman diagnosed w/"mild to moderate" aortic stenosis with some regurgitation as well as some mitral valve regurg. As a child I had several severe strep throats, had a total hysterectomy at 42, and subsequently have been diagnosed with hypothyroidism, all of which I have read might be causative.  My MGH cardiologist says I'm not "bad enough" for surgery,and of course I don't want it, but I feel really awful--very tired, some chest pain at times, and occasional feelings that I can't get my breath.
I need a plan--and would appreciate any help.
Laura

Ever since I came across Dr Davis's heart scan blog four years ago I have been waiting for more more info on this. I have aortic valve stenosis - not due to degenerative changes but due to congenital aortic valve defect - a bicuspid aortic valve - and I have been supplementing with high dose vitamin D ever since.

Maybe for those who have severe calcification, they should avoid calcium. However, for the rest of the population, ensuring enough K2+D3+retinol(natural form)+magnesium and other nutrients is probably a better approach. Calcium itself protects against the heavy metal burden the body has been shown to accumulate with age. Calcium has also been proven to result in lessened inflammation (CRP), less genomic damage, longer telomeres, and lessened mortality. In the end, I would say, don't avoid calcium. Just make sure you don't get too much ***in relation*** to the other nutrients you are getting.

Echocardiograms can have substantial variability, certain assumptions are built into the mathematical formulas used to evaluate aortic valve stenosis. Was there any differences noted in the doppler velocity (Lvot, cw)or outflow tract dimension? Small differences in these measurements can yield large variability in aortic valve area. Just playing devils advocate here.......

I read some comments by a doctor on a website.He said,"Vitamin K2 decreased calcium deposits in aortic valves.Some of my patients' stenotic aortic valve systolic gradients decreased by about 20mm mercury."

Intestinal absorption of calcium can double or even quadruple when vitamin D levels approach desirable levels.Therefore, calcium supplements are not required.Hypercalcemia can lead to heart attacks, kidney stones , atherosclerosis and arthritis over long periods of time.There is plenty of calcium in food.

So you're saying my knees won't get better?!

1000 mcg per day!  Is that 1000 of MK-4 or MK-7.
For about 6 months a while backmI ws taking 1000 of MK-7
the-kid

I found out about K2 when my Dad was diagnosed with aortic stenosis. I tried to convince him to try Vitamin D and K2 but he went the conventional route and now has a cow's aortic valve.

I have been taking 200mcg K2 every day along with my ~4000 IU/day Vitamin D. I have never had a scan and always wonder how blocked my arteries are and whether the vitamin k2 is regressing any blockage.

A nice blog post from Nephropal on Vitamin K2

Thanks again Dr. Davis, your dedication to your job is incredible!
I have looked for K2 supplements containing both MK-4 and MK-7 but can't find them anywhere? They are not to be found in your own online shop at https://shop.trackyourplaque.com/ - where can I buy them in this proposed heavy duty dose (is's like 20 x 50mcg pills a day, quite a lot)? And what is the right balance between MK-4 and MK-7? Anyone?
Thanks - The Viking.

Viking,

I have searched long and hard for such a supplement with no success.  My guess is it doesn't exist because these two forms of K2 come from two completely different sources.

K2-MK4 (menatetrenone) is the animal form. The richest natural food source is found in green grass-fed cow's butter.  Supplements made from the natural source of menatetrenone are hard to find. The only one I'm aware of is a product called X-Factor Butter Oil made by Radiant Life.  There are less expensive synthetic forms of menatetrenone sold by Carlson Labs and Thorne Research.

K2-MK7 (menaquinone-7) is the plant form. Its richest food source is fermented soy beans, also called "natto".  Supplements made from a natural source of menaquinone-7 are widely available.

Life Extension's 'Super K' formula contains MK4 & MK7 and is available everywhere - try iherb.com

Natto is fermenting here at home; it's remarkably easy and cheap. Doc's posted data is for each 100 grams Natto (3.5 oz., +/- 2 shot glasses volume) Mk-7 = 1,000 mcg, plus Mk-8 = 84 mcg.

Home preparations won't exactly match commercial products analysis. Previously Doc stated that Natto raises serum Mk-4 & is active inside us for up to 4 hours; Mk-7 potent longer.

G.E.M. Cultures (now in Washington state) sell pure Japanese Natto spores by mail order. I've no financial interest here, just their long term customer. (Natto's poly-glutamic acid was a melting stabilizer in a tropical dairy development project's ice cream manufacturing.)

Buying the "commercial" size spore vial will let your learning curve be cheap. Online are plenty of variations on how to make Natto; G.E.M. ships with instructions in English and Japanese original.

To make 1 pound soy bean batch you just need to incubate a dish +/- 10 inches by 10 inches and less than 2 inches deep. It'll last a person weeks refrigerated.

I take one Life Extension Super K with Advanced K2 Complex softgel capsule per day.
Each capsule contains 1000 micrograms Vitamin K2 as menaquinone-4, 100 micrograms
Vitamin K2 as menaquinone-7 and 1000 micrograms of vitamin K1. I buy the capsules
at iHerb.com but other places sell them including Life Extension.
Invite K2 capsules contain 500mcg of MK-4,500mcg of MK7 and 1000mcg of vitamin K1.

Hi, Might'--

Thanks, as always, for your incredibly insightful comments. I, too, suspect that there are discrete, identifiable pathways that would provide a plausible basis for a D3/K2 effect on aortic valve pathology.


Anonymous with questions about the echo Doppler data--

The aortic valve areas were obtained with 3 views on the maximal aortic supravalvular velocity, using both the standard transducer as well as the Pedoff. On both studies, the LV outflow tract diameter was 2.1 cm. The second aortic valve diameter was also confirmed with planimetry.

Notably, peak aortic valve velocity dropped from 20 mmHg to 9 mmHg. I watched the echo tech (a very capable one, by the way) while he interrogated the valve. I am confident that we obtained the maximal peak velocity.

All in all, I believe it is a real effect.

Anonymous and Paul--

I have been advising the Life Extension "Super K."

Super K contains 900 mcg MK-4, 100 mcg MK-7, as well as 1000 mcg vitamin K1.

Have you seen any results like this on any of the other heart valves?
My Dad has severe mitral valve stenosis. I am taking D and K2 and trying to convince him to do the same.

Thank you, Dr. Davis.

Looks like I'm in need of sharpening my search skills.

Super K looks like a good deal.  I'll have to check it out when my supply of K2 runs low.

In the Life Extension Super K, is the 1000 mcg of K1 a problem as far as causing clotting?

I always understood that K2 (both MK-4 & MK-7) do not cause clotting like K1 does.

Would love to see some calcium scoring results (and/or angiogram) before and after K2 administration, as well as carotid ultrasound results.

Thanks for this blog, I visit it often.

I'm curious if the addition of large doses of fish oil to the formula would also help decrease stenosis.

FWIW, another source of K2: http://www.vitacost.com/NSI-Ultra-Vitamin-K-with-Advanced-K2-Complex/?ntt=844197013470

I don't have the links at hand, but I remember reading second-hand a study that showed excess K1 does NOT up-regulate clotting. Unless you are on Warfarin, K1 is completely safe, even for stroke patients.

Good luck.

Off topic but amusing considering...

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/02/110223122425.htm

High Vitamin-D Bread Could Help Solve Widespread Insufficiency Problem

ScienceDaily (Feb. 24, 2011) — With most people unable to get enough vitamin D from sunlight or foods, scientists are suggesting that a new vitamin D-fortified food -- bread made with high-vitamin D yeast -- could fill that gap. Their study, confirming that the approach works in laboratory tests, appears in ACS' Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.

Wow, to any regular reader of this (wonderful) blog that (i.e., the vitamin D bread) is hilarious!!!

Measured my just finished Natto yield from 1 pound dry soy beans. Digital scale here is down, so spring scale reading is ~ 875 grams Natto made.

Spores cost $14 (plus shipping) and are enough to make +/- 86 pounds of finished Natto. That's 39,000 grams of Natto.

If 100 grams Natto offering 1,000mcg Mk-7 is fine, then that's 390days worth. Dry soybean substrate for 390 days Natto is 45 pounds of soy (using my spring scale yield data).

Elsewhere in this blog, Doc I think, stated 32.7 mcg K2 decreased aorta calcification. Maybe the decimal got misplaced in my notes. Or reversal, verses prevention, demands mega-dose vitamin K.

I fork mash +/- 50 gr. Natto and blend it in with  +/- 50 gr. Hummus. That amount of Natto will fit on 2 rice cakes as well.

Dr. Davis, my greatest respect for your work. Two questions to your groundbreaking observations on D3/K2:
1) Did the patient in question have a biscupid or triscupid valve?
2) Was the patient exposed to any other lifestyle changes apart from D3/K2 that could explain the remarkable change?
3) I have seen some sites selling K2 warning against taking them together with high fibre meals. Why is that, and what is the best time/frequency to take D3/K2?
Regards, Louis

I'm curious if Dr. Davis has seen any improvements in his patients using vit D3 alone.

I expect K2 (MK-7 to be exact) helped, but was just wondering how he knows what helps or doesn't, when his patients are doing several protocols at one time (D3, fish oil, no-wheat/low carbs, perhaps niacin)...

Might-o'chondri-AL,

Your notes are correct.  The 32.7 mcg K2 data point comes from the Rotterdam Heart Study.  It was the minimum dose in participants showing a lower risk of both heart attack and aortic calcification.

I use Life Extension Super K with Advanced K2 Complex that I buy from iherb. You can also get K-2 (MK-4)from High vitamin butter oil from green pastures. (You can buy it alone or with Fermented Cod Liver Oil)
Use this code to save $5.00 off your 1st order with iherb: ROV990

Hi, Louis--

The fundamental problem with retrospective observations is that you never know with absolute certainty what was done to achieve the observed effect.

However, everybody in the Track Your Plaque program and coming through my office do nearly the same thing, i.e., fish oil, vit D, diet, etc. I NEVER witnessed regression of aortic stenosis until we added vitamin D. I am speculating whether K2 adds yet another level of control over aortic valve disease.

This is still in the world of anecdotal observation. This is, of course, nothing even close to a clinical trial. But this can be how new ideas get their start.

Hi Doctor Davis,

I am new to your HS blog and, after reading a few, I'm glad I signed on. Great info. Quick question regarding this idea of "cleaning" or adding flexibility to the arteries: Do you put any value in Chelation therapy? I took oral chelation supplements for a time and it seemed to lower my triglyceride and cholesterol levels. Any thoughts on this, especially as it pertains to the oral version versus the IV method?

Thanks,  Chris

This is been amazing. I am take it seriously. Thanks for this information.

Chances are the calcium supplement you are taking now is a rock source of calcium. The label will say "calcium carbonate", which is nothing more than limestone. AlgaeCal Plus contains an organic, plant-sourced calcium form derived from a unique South American marine algae called Algas Calcareasâ„¢.

Dear Dr. Davis,

Thank you for your website.  I am a 68-yr female with AS.  My aortic valve area is 0.69.  I weigh 118, and fast-walk/jog for an hour 4 days/wk.  I am asymptomatic, and my cardiologist advises watchful waiting.  

How much Vit.D would you advise.  Is the amount weight related?

Thanks again.  

Karen

Intestinal absorption of calcium can double or even quadruple, when vitamin D levels levels.Therefore desirable approach, calcium can not required.Hypercalcemia to heart attacks, kidney stones, atherosclerosis and arthritis over a long period have lead tours is a lot of calcium in food.

Dr. Davis's heart scan blog ever since I met four years ago, I have been waiting for more information on this. I have aortic stenosis - not because of degenerative changes, but because of congenital aortic valve defect - bicuspid aortic valve - I have been using high doses of vitamin D supplements since.

Dr. Davis,

Do you mean to say that you put him on 1,000mcg of K2 MK-7 per day? (or was the 1,000mcg a combined total of all forms?)

Dear Dr. Davis, a Final Guidance question.....

I know Life extensions Super K is a good supplement, but the question that seems to have been asked a few times on this blog is..."what is a good & ideal target daily does combination of both MK-4 and MK-7" ?

We have heard you say that 1000 mg a day of mk4 & mk7 is a good target...but in what ratio?  Just like Omega3 has good target ratio of EPA/DHA....can you suggest some guidance as to what a good target ratio
of mk4 & mk7 would be ?

Thank you!

Adam

HI, Adam--

I wish I knew! This is the difficulty with K2: too little known.

Sure, there are plenty of opinions, but little fact. You and I can only continue to follow the emerging evidence and make our decisions as the evidence unfolds. Right now, it is simply not clear what the ideal regimen is.

Dear Dr,

I just came across your blog. Mind-blowing stuff. Especially because I have mild-moderate stenosis. Moderately calcified and bi-cusped. I wanted to know if any of your patients had bicusped aortic stenosis and your treatment with D3 and K2 might have seen reversals?

also, do you suggest K2 with Mk-4 and Mk-7 or is just MK-7 sufficient?
I am taking just about 2000 IU D3 and 100 MK-7 K2, fish oil and veggies, fruits, walking.

Hope you can respond.

As always, thank you for all the good work you do.

Tom.

life extention vitmin k2 is from GMO soy.  Shame on them for trying to poison us.

Can you tell me how you found out that Super K contain GMO soy?

My father was just diagnosed with aortic stenosis and I had to go to a friend who is a biochemist to discuss some nutritional options for an 83 year old man.  I have used Isotonix supplements or the Nutrametrix line of same product since 1995.  Personally I wanted to go in that direction with a scientific mind to talk with. My Dad''s doctor told me he personally uses supplements but was not allowed to direct my father on them.  He is basically following a check list.  My Dad is a player and I have him on a great regimen.  After finding your blog, I am looking to add d with k2 in Isotonix.  I have him on an Isotonix Calcium supplement that has d3 in it.   Not junk calcium or tums.  
http://dwithk2.blogspot.com/
this is my blog and you can go to the bottom of it to see label on the product.
Our next stop is the cardio doc who we were advised would want to replace his aortic valve.  I really think that should be a very last resort.  
Really, I believe some lifestyle changes and bumping some Isotonix supplements to heavy dosing is a better option.

The key, in my view, for control over aortic stenosis (thought I have not YET published the observations) is:

1) Supplement vitamin D to achieve a 25-hydroxy vitamin D level of 60-70 ng/ml, and
2) Vitamin K2 supplementation to provide 1000 mcg MK-4 or at least 100 mcg MK-7, and
3) Take NO supplemental calcium, as calcium is passive "mortar" that will calcify the aortic valve.

Pertaining to myself (aortic valve stenosis and stenosis of the spine) and my wine (parathyroid adenoma (non malignant) on Sinsipar to control without surgery.

If we eliminate calcium  supplements (which this  makes me consider), can I forget about getting too much in food (I also take buffered Vitamin C, which will be a problem, since I have gastritis).

Also wonder if magnesium, boron & strontium are good or bad to take??????

Last, can you give me a link for natural treatment of parathyroid adenoma. My wife also refuses to take Boniva and her bone density is bad.

Thanks in advance.

Dr. Edwards--

Unfortunately, no data.

You are venturing further into the world of "normalizing" calcium metabolism. I'd like to believe that all this makes sense, as they tend to benefit osteoporosis/osteopenia, and removal of calcium as a supplement is likely a good thing, given its contribution to cardiovascular risk.

But we lack real data on the effects. I will tell you that the vitamin D, however, is very real, having now done this in around 60+ patients.

Dr. Davis,
     I'm 67, female with CAVD.  Heart murmur, dizziness, exhaustion since holidays led to apt with cardiologist resulting in mild aortic stenosis diagnosis in early April.
     I have taken Vitamin D3 over last two years after Welcome to Medicare physical showed low levels.  I have now added CoQ10.  After stumbling upon your blog, I'm now adding 135 mcg K-2 Mk7.  
     Despite the fact that I'm symptomatic, I'm hoping to avoid heart surgery until the new trans-vascular technique is approved for a wider range of patients.  I return to my cardiologist in early August and I will be most interested in comparing new test results against my April numbers--call it a personal clinical trial of one.
     A few years ago I observed open heart surgery at a major surgical center in Houston.  I vowed I would never have it myself, but here I am now, staring it squarely in the face.  I can't thank you enough for your website. It's given me a small measure of hope.

Dr Davis:
I am a 70 year old slim athletic male with a bicuspid aortic valve that has been stable for about 6 years with echo area measurements showing 1.2 to 1.3 sq cm.  When I got my first echo 6 yrs ago I searched published literature and decided to start 200mg MK-7 daily and I take quite a few supplements, including vit D, niacin, and about 3 gms fish oil (EPA+DHA).  My cardiologist is surprised to not see a reduction in area, and valve replacement seems to have been put off successfully.  This year, however, my ascending aorta was measured at  48 mm by echo, up from 44 (MRI measurement) a year ago.  Surgery was recommended, based on the aneurysm, not the valve, but of course both would be done at the same time.  A cardiac CT scan was ordered by the potential surgeon and the radiologist report indicated a maximum ascending aortic diameter of 45mm, but the surgeon said he looked at the 3-D CT images and it looked more like 47-48 mm to him.  Search for coronary artery plaque indicated all arteries "normal" except for the "1st Obtuse marginal: Tiny focal calcified plaque causing no luminal narrowing" .Beginning January, 2012, I have eliminated wheat and calcium supplements and have actually gone low-carb, high fat, adequate protein to the extent to be in "nutritional ketosis".  Ketones range from 0.5 to 1.9, depending on time of day and whether it is before or after exercize, etc.  I feel great!  Given that I am "on the boarder line" where surgery is recommended, I have thought about giving this more stringent diet a year to see if the aneurysm shrinks.

My question is this:  Some time ago you posted your experience of seeing patients ("Jake") where diet/supplements contributed to reducing the size of an aneurysm, but I cannot find any follow-up information in your excellent blog (or publications).  What is the best diet/supplement regime that would optimize reduction of an aneurysm?  If the mechanism for the aortic wall degredation is the same as for artery plaque, then I know your answer because of your writings on this subject.  My interest in writing is to determine if there are other dietary or supplement changes I should make that would optimize my chances of improvement in my one-year trial, should I decide to do it.  Also, do you agree that nutritional ketosis (which I have no problem staying on) should be advantageous?

Dr. Davis,
I chanced upon your blog while searching for content of MK7 in natto! What a fortuitous discovery for me.

I started taking a Vitamin D3 supplement last year when my level was diagnosed at 20 ng/ml. I took about 3000 IU per day for 9 months and my level rose to 27 ng/ml. I did so using a D3 spray in coconut oil sprayed under my tongue.

Recently, I came across research that D3 supplementation, even in the 2000-3000 IUs a day dosage, without K2 supplementation will cause calcification of arteries and soft-tissues.

Wanted to ask for your input on this:
- How much K2 should I take, especially to reverse calcification? Seems like 100 mcg of MK7 and 1000 mcg of MK4 are common doses.
- Can I take K2 just 2-3 times a week, just to be conservative. How about if I just eat Natto for MK7 and stay away from the supplements?
- Would you still recommend D3 along with K2? If so, what is a safe D3 dose to go with 100 mcg of MK7?
- Is calcification observed in those who were taking Calcium with D3 or it can be seen even without Calcium supplementation? I eat a pretty low-carb, high-fat, decent amount of proteins, less red meat diet. Also, I take no dairy, calcium supplement or calcium fortified foods.

Thanks so much for your time.

Update to my first comment after six months.  

After six months of K2/D3, CoQ10, and Niacin supplements, I had my first nuclear stress test at my cardiologist's office.  Photos were picture perfect--strong, well functioning heart.  Efficiency percentage was mid 60s in March, but went to 87% in late August.  Primary Care physician had difficulty locating murmur that was pronounced in March.  I'm now scheduled for a second echocardiogram in early February.  That will be the acid test.  

Despite excellent test results, I'm still experiencing some fatigue and dizziness, but not nearly so much as when first diagnosed.  I remain hopeful that with continued supplement therapy and good eating habits, I'll be one of the lucky ten percent who experience remission from AS with K2/D3 therapy.

Hi Rita I thought to mention that I've been going through the comments here and really appreciate that you are giving us updates of your progress. Hoping for good results for you next round!

Dear Dr.Davis,
I came across your blog by chance and very interested in your opinion regarding valve problems. I would be most grateful if you can advice me on my situation:
I always believed that I have a strong heart as I excercised a lot--swimming and hiking, never expected that the first thing knocked me down is my heart. Starting this year from January, I went to Hospital Emergency 8 times, 4 in Jan, 2 in Feb and 1 in April and anthor 1 in Nov, all because of very fast heartbeat. The first 4 made me hard to breath and thought I was dying. All the blood tests at the hopsital came out normal. However, the ecogram showed that I had moderate aortic valve regurgitation. As meantime I was suffering from gastric problems of not being able to eat much, my heart condition gave me scaring experience of being extreme fatigue, dizzy, chest pain, neck and should pain.  Doctors said I do not need to do anything.
Even the fast beat of my heart is getting better recently, constant fatigue and dizziness and neck pain prevents from living a normal life.

I am also scared to see my 4 year ecogram with only "traces of aortic valve regurgitation," now changed to moderate.

I would likfe to know why my valve degenerate so fast? what can I do to stop the process. After seeing your blog, I bought vitamin D (my level is 43) and K2 (both mk4 and 7), how much dose should I take, will these vitamins alone help stop the degeneration process?

I also considering coming down to see you if you give appointments for consultation.

Thanks for your help!

Holly

by the way, I am 50 years old and have a stressful job.
HOlly

Dr Davis,

Any research on a wheat less diet and lipoproteins and their affects on Aeortic stenosis? If elemenating them will prevent or reverse this condition?

Thank you,

Karen

There are several different causes of aortic stenosis. Congenital (ie bicuspid aortic valve) and rheumatic fever start at younger ages. ASc or sclerosis is a disease of older people, same age risk as ASHD or coronary disease (atherosclerosis) and is nothing more than a variant manisfectation of the same risk factors that causes myocardial infractions., high blood pressure, smoking, obesity, diabetes and lipid disorders from high carb diets or a combination commonly called Metabolic syndrome. All of these risk factors cause coronary artery disease and/or ASc, it is just a crap shoot as to which one may show up first...but, treat both the same. Does that mean Vit D doesn't work? Of course not, newer studies beginning to show high Vit D levels are Importent in atherosclerosis Ann cancer prevention.

My husband has a coronary calcium score of over 900. His cholesterol levels were: total:217, HDL:44, LDL:147, trigyclerides:167. His cardiologist wanted to put him on Provastatin and scheduled him for an echo-cardiogram stress test. He has chosen to put off taking the statins and has started taking K2 and magnesium supplements. Is this ok? Should statins be recommended for his score?

Is there a cardiologist in or near Santa Fe, NM, who has an understanding of nutrient issues similar to yours?

I stumbled upon your blog a year ago when researching how to reverse aortic valve calcification.  At the time I was 49 and had just gotten my echo results.  I was told that I had abnormal relaxation of my left ventricle consistent with diastolic dysfunction, a trileaflet aortic valve with a trace of regurgitation and mild calcification.  My aortic root is borderline in size.  Well that was a heck of a blow because my echo the previous year was normal.  (I have echos done because I had chest pain several years ago that turned out to be esophageal spasm.  However, everyone in my family died from heart disease and my father had his major MI at age 47.  My grandmother died from aortic stenosis... so they do yearly echos on me.  I also have hypothyroidism, polycystic ovary syndrome and my ApoE genotype is 3/4)

After I read your blog, I went out and bought Life Extension Super K.  I have been taking it for over one year--since last July.  I found in my research that people with the ApoE4 allele don't hold on to vitamin K2 as well as those who do not have this genotype, so I didn't know if one pill a day was enough.  After a gigantic hassle trying to find a lab that runs the undercarboxylated osteocalcin test, I finally had my level drawn.  It came back at 3.8.  (Normal was anything below 12.1).  The results provided a graph which showed I am in the low normal end of the spectrum.  It showed that 80% of the population is lower than me--which surprises me because I bet most of the population doesn't take vitamin K2.  Maybe the only people having this test done are those who do supplement with vitamin K...   In any case, that lab was drawn in mid May, and since that time I doubled my dose to 2 capsules per day.  What should my undercarboxylated osteocalcin level be?  I can't find any data about what level is acceptable to reverse calcification.  I have also been taking vitamin D for several years--my level was originally 9.  I take 50,000 units once a week.  My last D level was 87.4, so I'm pretty close to the 70 that you suggest.  I also throw in about 8,000 u of vitamin A twice a month because I read that it's necessary to downregulate the D.  My D had gotten as high as 115 last year but has been in the mid 60s-80s since.  I also take CoQ10 200mg per day and fish oil. (I was taking it daily, but what do you think about the new study out saying it increases the incidence of prostate cancer?  I didn't want to increase my possibility of any kind of cancer, so I'm only taking it twice a week now... thoughts?)

I had an echo and a Lexiscan (because I couldn't walk on the treadmill due to foot problems and foot surgery 1.5 yrs ago) done last week.  I get my results tomorrow and am hoping that the calcification is gone... When I had my echo done last year I was overweight (BMI 38.8) with some sleep apnea.  After that appointment, I walked out of that office and changed my life.  I have been on basically a "no white" diet--no sugar, flour, pasta, rice, bread, sweets, etc.  Because of my PCOS, I can't even eat complex carbs without gaining weight.  (I have done strict Atkins before but couldn't sustain it because it was so strict.  This is working for me.  My carbs come from low glycemic fruits and vegetables primarily.  I do eat meat, dairy and nuts).  I went back to the gym and go every other day.  I lift weights (my son is a personal trainer), climb the stair master for 20 minutes and then go home to ride my exercise bike for 45 minutes every day.  I ride my exercise bike every day for at least 45 minutes and sometimes do double cardio days on weekends.  I have lost 63 pounds in the last year.  I would like to lose another 20 pounds.  I have an oral appliance for the sleep apnea and will have another sleep study done after I lose the last 20 lbs.  I know that I didn't used to snore when I was thin (pre-pregnancy).  I'm only 11 lbs above my pre-pregnant weight now.  I know that the sleep apnea can lead to diastolic dysfunction.  I'm hoping I'm reversing that!

Any other suggestions for me?  I'm especially interested to know how much vitamin K2 I need to take to potentially reverse this darn calcification.  I've mentioned the K2 to my other doctors and so far they're all in the dark and don't even seem to care about it... I'm shocked, because there are big studies out there that back it up.  I don't know about my cardiologist because I don't see him until tomorrow.  I'm shocked that my endocrinologist didn't seem to care because he does bone density scans in his office.  I'm getting one done in a couple months.  In my past 2 scans, I was dropping towards osteopenia.  I'm hoping with the vitamin K2 that I show dramatic improvement so that I can show him I was right about the K.

Thank you for any help,
Lisa D. RN

Oh come on Jim, try google every once in awhile.  This isn't Dr. Davis' discovery...it's been studied and written about for at least 8 years now.

Isn't that the brand that everyone over on the Inspire.com site is having problems with?  Seriously, there's been quite a discussion about it.  Many found that once they switched to Carlson's K2 only, that their palpitations, etc., went away.

Great stuff as usual. Dr. Davis, would you say that this general approach to nutrition is the path to health:
EAT REAL FOOD = Meat and vegetables (starchy tubers included), fruit, nuts and seeds, oatmeal/oat bran, quinoa, white rice, and properly soaked beans

I come to this conclusion based on how the body is able to digest food, info I learned from the Whole Health Source blog. I'm still unsure about peanuts and dairy (not raw dairy, the regular store stuff). If you have an opinion on this approach and on peanuts/dairy, it would be great to hear. Thanks!

from personal experience (As someone who eats whole grains, but has cut down my overall cab intake recently), this is so true. than you explaining why this happens.

Your hypothetical man matches me perfectly! I am lighter by about 25 lbs. My doctor has me on Lipitor and I am struggling to keep my sugar levels under 100.

When will we ever get to understand medical issues better?

The blood panels show a correlation --
but don't we also need an *explanation* for why whole grains are bad?

Nearly all of nutrition science seems to involve looking for, and thus inevitably *finding*, correlations.

Is it to do with lectins?

Anonymous - A couple things...

We do understand the medical issues pretty well. It's just most doctors don't understand nutrition at all. Seems weird, doesn't it?

Unless you have already had a heart attack, you should probably get off the Lipitor. (I am not a doctor, but I play one on the Internet.)

Get off the carbs, especially wheat and food with refined sugar, right now.

You should buy, and watch, Fat Head by Tom Naughton. 100 minutes, easy to understand, profound message.

Then you should read Good Calories, Bad Calories by Taubes and Protein Power by Eades & Eades. The first is a long read, dense but well-written, and pays back your efforts 100-fold. The second is an easier read and will feel more practical and applicable to your daily life.

Then start reading these blogs to point you in the right direction, and keep you on the path: this blog, Protein Power, Mark's Daily Apple, Jimmy Moore's blog.

You can thank me later. ;)

Check out the blog "Spark of Reason."  Dave has written 2 pieces on the ill effects of eating wheat.

http://jn.nutrition.org/cgi/content/full/136/2/384

Trevor.....re-evaluating 15 years of veggieism

BTDT.

The one thing that put me on the Path Of True Dietary Enlightenment was my BG meter.

This taught mt that the dietician actually WAS trying to kill me.

By doing the exact opposite from what she told me I now have BG mostly in a normal range, and following on from that my BP came down and lipids normalised. Also I lost all the weight she caused me to gain.

I already ate "real foods" but based everything around Healthy Whole Grains and washed them down with fruit juice. Now I avoid them and eat more of everything else, especially those yummy saturated fats which keep my HDL up. Somewhere around Primal/Protein Power (see the links Scott provided) is my sweet spot. I guess everything is toxic in overdose but the overdose level of carbs is way lower than most people believe. For me, about 60 - 100g a day keeps the insulin level down which improves the metabolism of everything else.

What I found is, if you eat the carbs you manufacture them into far more fat than if you'd just eaten the fat in the first place.

Hi, I'm new here and find this blog fascinating and very informative.  A few things:  I'm at a loss as to where to start with a low-carb diet and what to eat for meals, especially breakfast.  And how to get my two-year-old to eat it?!  Does anyone have any thoughts on this?  We are starting to do the research and trying to figure out the heart-healthy lifestyle.  Would this exclude ALL grains (and sugar) ALL the time?  Or can we still have them in moderation?  I mean, I don't want my kids to be too deprived, we've already been on a gluten-free diet for a few years and are now embarking on low-carb as well per our doctor's recommendation.  It's mostly for my husband who has the heart disease in the family and the poor cholesterol ratio and would like to take preventive measures but we all want to be healthy too....
Any ideas?  Thanks!

Breakfasts

http://loraldiabetes.blogspot.com/2006/10/breakfasts.html

I base mine around fish and salad

Things you can pretty much eat ad lib

http://www.diabetes-support.org.uk/joomla/free-veggies

Basically I replaced the carbs with more of everything else. Check out

http://www.proteinpower.com/drmike/

http://www.marksdailyapple.com/

just for starters, then follow on to the other blogs referenced from here and those sites, you will soon be overwhelmed with ideas

I recently came accross your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I dont know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.


Joannah

http://myscones.com/

I recently came accross your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my

first comment. I dont know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will

keep visiting this blog very often.


Joannah

http://myscones.com/

Very informative blog on chlesterol effects of carbohydrates.  Looking forward to read more on cholesterol, here.  Thanks for sharing.

I never know whether this limited carb stuff applies to me.  I am 54,6foot tall, weigh 145 pounds and my measured body fat is 11%.  My family complains I am too thin.  I run very intensively (160 heart beat) 6 times a week for fourty minutes (5 miles).  I eat every day a huge portion of pasta with tomatoe sauce(no cheese ever, I hate cheese).  Is what counts the amount of pasta (carb) intake even if I burn it that same day and never store fat.  I have found that reducing my carbs causes me to run poorly and crave sugar after my runs.  If I skip the pasta,I am sluggish.  Should even I be concerned that my carb intake increases cholesterol?

Many people have high blood cholesterol levels and therefore they are exposed to heart disease. Age, gender and genetic heritage are all factors of risk in heart disease due to high blood cholesterol levels. Men are more predisposed to having abnormal blood cholesterol levels than women. People with ages over 50 also have cholesterol problems, as their bodies can’t eliminate the surplus substance. Overweight people, people with internal disorders and people with diabetes have high blood cholesterol levels due to overproduction of this substance inside the body.

same thing happenned to me
and I had to go on statins

aren't wheat products considered complex carbohydrates?... does that mean complex carbs contribute to the increase of bad cholesterol?..

People who are highblood are prone to heart disease.  No matter what your age is, you can still have a highblood.  Basically, people should watch their food intake (diet) at an early age.  In this way, they could avoid any possible disease they might acquire in the long run.

This has probably been addressed in another blog post ... sorry ...

My understanding:  cholesterol accumulates on arterial walls as a patch for damage to the arteries.  The damage is caused primarily by insulin spikes, which occur with the ingestion of large quantities of carbohydrate (of any stripe).  Blaming blood cholesterol is silly, it's just the patching material.

My question:  if one stops ingesting large quantities of carbs (and therefore theoretically stops creating new arterial damage), what happens to arterial plaque?  Does it decrease, stay the same, or does cholesterol in the blood continue to accumulate on top of the existing plaque matrix?

My thought:  if the answer is that it continues to accumulate, we're basically still at the mercy of drugs and a low cholesterol diet to stem the build-up.  So I'm wondering:  once exposed to enough carb damage to create arterial plaque, are we doomed to the same fate as those who keep on eating big-carbs?

The amount of wheat we as a society consume is mind-numbing - for all the diversity of food we have at our disposal, it's unreal how restricted most diets are.  It only makes sense that any problems with such overconsumption would gradually reveal themselves as lifestyle epidemics. Get gruel (or maybe just some nice oatmeal with cinnamon) back in the schools, I say.

As we get older we tend to experience certain health conditions that some may consider as part of the aging process, like having high cholesterol due to amount of the carbohydrates that we usually take in. Getting the right food, exercise and knowing the ways to lower your cholesterol naturally brings a lot of advantages to prevent or at least control them.

Very informative article! I told my friends to visit your blogsite too! I am learning a lot from the things I read online, I never thought that we should take high level of cholesterol seriously because it will impact our health.

Diet for Lowering Cholesterol

Hi there,
I'm a doctor called Amr Ebied.
I believe in the power of prevention of diseases, and taking that into account, writing about cholesterol has always inspired me.

I have a new post about the first step of nine to act if you think you have high cholesterol.

I'll be glad if you all visited it and give me your feedback.

The url is:
http://aeonlineclinic.wordpress.com/2010/09/10/nine-things-to-do-if-you-think-you-have-high-cholesterol/

Or you can visit my other blogpost:
http://online-health-shop.blogspot.com/2010/05/when-it-comes-to-cholesterol-there-is.html

Thanks.
Amr Ebied.

Thanks for the heads up. I am also working out for my cholesterol level to normalize. I am on a strict diet for months now.

Diet for Lowering Cholesterol

We ask our hypothetical man to load his diet up on "healthy whole grains." He complies by eating whole grain cereals for breakfast, whole wheat toast; sandwiches made with whole grain bread; dinners of whole wheat pasta; snacks of granola bars, whole wheat pretzels and crackers.

Try having a vegetarian meal made with beans or tofu and vegetables instead of a meat based meal from time to time.Eating simple carbohydrates can increase your chance of becoming insulin resistant. Insulin resistance is diagnosed when you meet certain criteria.

Eating simple carbohydrates can increase your chance of becoming insulin resistant. Insulin resistance is diagnosed when you meet certain criteria.

The trick to achieving a normal cholesterol range is simply to change one's lifestyle. You should eat healthy and exercise more.

Through better nutrition, LDL cholesterol levels can be greatly lowered in no time. Failure to do this will result in a huge risk for coronary heart disease, atherosclerosis, and stroke.
Reference:
ldl cholesterol how to reduce them
hdl cholesterol levels

I am new here and find this fascinating and informative blog. A couple of things: I'm at a loss as to where to start with a diet low in carbohydrates and to eat for meals, especially breakfast. And how to get my two year old to eat?! Does anyone have any idea about this? We're starting to do research and trying to understand the lifestyle heart healthy.

I'm a 55 year old woman & had just been prescribed a statin, as my chloresteral was 255 in Jan 2011.  My son help me with a low carb eating plan as follows:
tripled my fish oil intake, oatmeal only 2x/week (I added nuts, raisins, lots of cinnamon & no sweetener), started drinking whole milk, ate some protein @ almost every meal, had spiniach salads w/lots of veggies & hard boiled egg & a simple homemade vinegar & olive oil dressing, stopped all processed carbs except oats, bread about 1 time/week (found a bread w/just 6 carbs) or occasional lo-carb whole wheat tortilla, lots of nuts (walnuts, pecans & almonds), lots of green veggies, some beans, unlimited amounts of tomatoes & limited amounts of fruit...  One month later my chloresterol was 188.

A study conducted by Columbia University in 1998 showed that consuming excess levels of simple carbohydrates may lower your HDL cholesterol. Having lower HDL levels may increase your risk of heart disease.

Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/333087-effects-of-simple-carbohydrates-on-cholesterol/#ixzz1HVtprUZm

It's about time SOMEBODY started telling the truth about the heart disease "plumbing" racket!