Instant heart disease reversal


What if reversal of heart disease--regression of coronary atherosclerotic plaque--were achievable instantly? Just add water and--voila!!

To my knowledge, it is not--yet. But I sometimes play with this idea in my head. I could imagine that such a program would consist of a few essential elements:

--A fast or semi-fast, or at least a very spare diet, over a period like 10 days to promote net catabolism. It is also supremely anti-inflammatory to restrict calories.

--High-dose vitamin D, e.g., 20,000 units per day of D3 to fully replenish depleted stores and achieve all the metabolism-correcting effects of D3 restoration.

--EPA + DHA at a higher than usual dose with frequent throughout-the-day dosing to encourage replacement of cellular lipid constituents with the more stable omega-3 fraction of fatty acids.

Beyond this, I'm uncertain. What role l-arginine, statins, niacin . . . conjugated linoleic acid? ApoA1 Milano infusions?

This is simply whimsical at this point. I don't know if such an approach would work. But if it did, you might imagine that it would offer an opportunity--for the properly motivated--as an alternative treatment for angina, advanced coronary disease, a means to pull someone back from the brink.

With the insights gained from our slow-but-powerful Track Your Plaque approach, perhaps we will also gain insights into how to accelerate such a process of reversal so that it is achievable in days, rather than months or years.

Comments (16) -

  • wccaguy

    10/17/2007 3:24:00 PM |

    Dr. Davis,

    You keep making posts about things this newcomer to the Track Your Plaque program is thinking about.

    I was thinking just last night that I would soon make a post at the Track Your Plaque (TYP) forum asking about what a TYP+ Supplement program might look like.

    For people like me who have already experienced cardiac events this would be a huge thing.

    I've now got my blood testing done.  I appreciate your providing feedback yesterday at the forum to my posting my blood test results there.

    I also had a heart scan done even though I know it's of more limited use given my cardiac history and that you basically don't recommend it.  Frankly, I disagree with you a bit on the usefulness of a heart scan with preexisting cardiac events.  I'll explain why later.

    So, I'm ready to go with TYP+ Supplement Program.

    I have some specific supplements in mind that aren't among the current recommended TYP Supplements.  I'll make a note of the ones you mention in this post.  I'd like your feedback on a comprehensive list to try for inclusion in a TYP+ program of supplements.

    I'll make that post to the forum soon now that I know you're thinking about this already.

  • JoeEO

    10/17/2007 11:30:00 PM |

    Dream big my friend!

    I am thinking a resort off the coast of Thailand. You take a month for the treatment. Fly in to a first class medical resort - do your fast while lounging in a tropical paradise - get lots of sun lounging by the pool (aids in Vit D absorption). While you are receiving the various medical and supplement treatments for your heart disease you might want to look into getting a little "touch-up" plastic surgery  or maybe that hip replacement you've been putting off...

    I bet your "instant Heart Disease" treatment, some plastic surgery and a hip replacement in total would still be less money than a cardiac cath and stenting back in the United States!

    I being somewhat facetious in writing this post...but I truly believe that scenario I discribed  
    will be the norm in the next 10 or 15 years - as the rest of the world becomes richer and the regulatory environment in the US and Europe slows cutting edge development i could see some fast developing nation such as Thailand assembling a team of highly skilled Doctors in order become the world leader in treat a particular disease.


    Peace

    Joe E O

  • Dr. Davis

    10/18/2007 12:27:00 AM |

    Hi, Joe--

    Interesting perspective. I hadn't thought of it in those terms. If nothing else, it would make a fascinating experience to watch.

  • vin

    10/19/2007 9:28:00 AM |

    I think that method exists since the fifties and is known as chelation therapy.

    Admittedly the mix, which is often vitamin C and other supplements plus EDTA or something similar, needs to be improved with the current knowledge about amino acids etc. But it could do the job.

    Diet on the other hand is unbeatable. One could spend two weeks in a resort and eat ideal meals to improve health.

  • Dr. Davis

    10/19/2007 2:32:00 PM |

    Sorry, but the chelation in my experience has never worked. I personally have seen several people go through it, usually provided by shady types, with huge rises in heart scan score. Until genuine evidence suggests otherwise, chelation falls in my scam file.

  • wccaguy

    11/15/2007 7:35:00 AM |

    Hi Dr. Davis,

    I have now got my intake of Niacin up to 3g a day using Slo Niacin.  I'm wondering if I shouldn't attempt to get it higher to impact my Lp(a) number.

    I'm 6' tall and at 250 pounds am a "big person".  I'm working on the weight of course.

    I understand there are potential impacts on the liver.

    I have been told and found in the past that Silibinin Plus from LEF and n-acetyl-cysteine work pretty well to keep liver numbers under control.

    What would you think about my taking my niacin dose up to 4g a day (or even potentially higher) if I could keep my liver numbers under control.

    Thanks.

  • Dr. Davis

    11/15/2007 12:07:00 PM |

    I'm a big believer in going slow with niacin. It may take a year or more for it to exert full effects, including reduction of Lp(a). I am generally not in a hurry to raise doses.

    I do favor periodic cycles off niacin, however, especially in people with Lp(a). In my many hundreds of patients with this disorder who take niacin for several years, there is a peculiar creep back up of Lp(a) levels back to the starting values. I believe that periodic "vacations" off niacin are necessary from the start, e.g., one month off every six months. Resume dose gradually and work with your doctor if/when you do this.

    Re: liver protection. I'm only superficially familiar with those agents, and I cannot say specifically whether they spare the liver from niacin effects. Interesting idea, though. Phosphatidylcholine? The liver-sparing effects of this agent are interesting, also. But I know of no specific experience with niacin, unfortunately.

  • wccaguy

    11/15/2007 3:57:00 PM |

    Thanks for the reply Dr. Davis,

    I understand that, because you're not my doctor, you can't give me specific medical advice.

    It's also true that I know of no other doctor who has more of the scientific literature and practical supplement experience than you have.

    First, however, thanks for the tip on periodic Niacin vacations.

    Let me then put another question to you this way...

    I'd like to propose to my doctor the following to get his expert insight but before I do, having your opinion would come in handy.

    Suppose I pumped up my intake of niacin to 5 grams.  After a month of that, I get a liver numbers test.  Then I begin the Silibinin Plus - N-Acetyl-Choline regimen.  Then after another month, I take another liver numbers test.

    Would a scenario like that provide me with useful information for long term Lp(a) treatment without doing permanent damage to my liver?

    Any suggestions for improving the idea?

    One last thought...

    Because Lp(a) is believed to be formed in circulation (per McCormick, Marcovina, et al), it seems to me that continuous availability of niacin in circulation is important.  So, I'm thinking 2 or 3 doses of niacin per day at 1.5g to 2.5g per dose.

    Seems to me that dosing like that would be beneficial to assessing the impact of the Silibinin Plus - N-Acetyl-Cysteine regimen.

    Does that make sense?

    Thanks for all you do!

  • Dr. Davis

    11/15/2007 5:27:00 PM |

    wccaguy--

    I think that it depends on your endpoint.

    If Lp(a)reduction alone is your endpoint, then raising niacin even to 5 g per day is reasonable.

    However, if control of plaque growth is your endpoint, then you might make do with far less, e.g., 2000-3000 mg per day. It can vary enormously. (In fact, I have even seen an occasional person reverse without Lp(a) control, though this is unusual.)

    One warning re: the frequent dosing of niacin. Far more likely to yield liver toxicity than dose is frequency. Taking niacin three times a day as SloNiacin virtually guarantees serious liver toxicity--I would strongly urge you to NOT do this. You are safest with once daily dosing of the SloNiacin preparation.

    Re: liver toxicity gauged by liver function tests. Unfortunately, these are not really good tests for quantitative assessment of liver toxicity; they are rather weak, qualitative tests. So I do not believe you can make much of shifts within the normal range.

  • wccaguy

    11/16/2007 1:47:00 AM |

    Thanks Dr. Davis for the niacin regime tips:

    To sum up.

    1   I will try to get my Slo Niacin dose to 5g per day in a single dose.

    2   I will monitor Lp(a) test scores.

    3   I will take a one month niacin vacation every six months.

    Thanks again.

  • Kiran Sawhney

    7/14/2008 9:01:00 PM |

    Your blog is very informative i must say. I like such dedicated blogs. I too write a blog on fitness and health and life. it is http://dreamfit.blogspot.com
    do stop by sometime.

  • Anonymous

    3/9/2009 10:56:00 AM |

    Dear Dr.Davis,

    I just came across your site for the first time and very much like the content and layout.

    I'm aware that you don't answer personal questions but am not quite sure with what one can post or comment on? I hope my post is considered acceptable and I hope you will take the time to comment briefly.

    I'm in a desperate need to help my mother who had a hearth attack a month ago. She's always had a low blood pressure and considered herself to be very healthy. She is 63 and never been on any medication, no pains or complaints. And all of a sudden-a heart attack! She has had two stents put in and is on several medications-Plavix 75mg, Beloc Zok 25mg, Triatec, Sortis 40mg, Aspirin 100mg and Nexium 40mg.
    I'm aware of the interactions of Plavix and Aspirin-Nexium and am terrified of the complications. She started taking a nattokinease supplement and thought that it will be better if she didn't take the Aspirin-Nexium. However after reading all your comments on natto-i feel this might not be a wise idea. I've been a regular reader of Dr.Mercola.com for many years and ordered a product called Cardioessentials from the site. I must say am not a fan of the statin drug as well but have only insisted on CoQ10 as ubiquinol of 200mg a day.
    She has become more thoughtful of her diet and exercise. I know that thing rarely happen without warnings and am sure she  could have taken a better care of herself. She did gain a bit of weight lately and I know that visceral fat does come with a price on heart health! She is following a diet rich in vegetables and fruits, lean meat and fish, nuts and seeds and low in grains. She takes fish oil, flax oil an olive oil,garlic, green tea, vit C in high doses, vit E and D, ALA, vit B complex, grape seed extract and chlorella. I'm considering L-carnitine, L-arginine, taurine, lutein and NAC.

    Please share a few wise words on this protocol and let me know if there is anything she is missing out on or should not be taking.
    I would greatly appreciate your comment. Thanks in advance,

    Lidija McLaren

  • Treatment for heart disease

    9/27/2010 12:51:28 PM |

    Heart  disease is one of the most  dangerous disease which takes thousands of life every years all over the world. If we know its symptoms and Treatment for heart disease. We can prevent is to large extent.

  • Treatment for heart disease

    9/27/2010 12:52:23 PM |

    Heart  disease is one of the most  dangerous disease which takes thousands of life every years all over the world. If we know its symptoms and Treatment for heart disease. We can prevent is to large extent.

  • blogblog

    10/30/2010 4:00:49 AM |

    This is a routine widely practised in Japanese hospitals for many diseases. They also use an IV glucose solution with electrolytes.

    I am doing exactly what you suggest at the moment.

    Supplements:

    1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of salt substitute (potassium chloride) dissolved in 2L of water. This provides very roughly 2g sodium and 2g potassium/day.

    300mg magnesium and 800mg to prevent cramps.

    A single multivitamin tablet.

    A high potency B group supplement.

    500mg vitamin C.

    5g fish oil.

    After 3 days I have never felt better in my life

  • buy jeans

    11/2/2010 9:27:57 PM |

    This is simply whimsical at this point. I don't know if such an approach would work. But if it did, you might imagine that it would offer an opportunity--for the properly motivated--as an alternative treatment for angina, advanced coronary disease, a means to pull someone back from the brink.

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Bigger, faster plaque reversal

Bigger, faster plaque reversal

Perhaps it's too early to tell whether it's true, but believe that we're seeing coronary plaque reversal--i.e., reduction of CT heart scan score--that is BIGGER and FASTER than ever before. We are now witnessing 20-30% reductions in score, even in the first year.

Early in our experience, I was thrilled with a slowing of plaque growth. Recall that coronary plaque grows at the rate of 30% per year. We would often seen slowing to 10-15% per year in the first year, then a levelling off to little or no increase in the 2nd or 3rd year. Regression, or reduction of score, was less common.

Now, with some further tweaking of our program, we are seeing these large magnitudes of coronary plaque reversal routinely. Not in everybody, of course. There are exceptions that mostly includes people who are less motivated and occasional people with more difficult to control lipoprotein patterns.

I believe that part, or perhaps most, of our recent success is from normalizing blood levels of 25-OH-vitamin D3 levels to 50-70 ng/ml. I'm unable to tell you why this occurs, but I am convinced that it has added huge advantage. Raising blood vitamin D levels to normal carries enormous implication: reduction of colon and prostate cancer risk, reduction of blood pressure, sensitization to insulin, prevention of arthritis and multiple sclerosis, and--I believe--control over coronary plaque calcification and growth.


Watch for a profile of one of our latest success stories, a physician who was experiencing 20% per year plaque growth three years in a row until he followed the Track Your Plaque approach and promptly experienced an 18% reduction in heart scan score. You'll find it in our next newsletter. To subscribe, go to the www.cureality.com homepage and click on the free book download.
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The Paleo approach to meal frequency

The Paleo approach to meal frequency

Furthering our discussion of postprandial (after-eating) phenomenona, including chylomicron and triglyceride "stacking" (Grazing is for cattle and Triglyceride and chylomicron stacking), here's a comment from the recent Palet Diet Newsletter on the closely related issue, meal timing and frequency:


We are currently in the process of compiling meal times and patterns in the worlds historically studied hunter-gatherers. If any single picture is beginning to emerge, it clearly is not three meals per day plus snacking ala the typical U.S. grazing pattern. Here are a few examples:

--The Ingalik Hunter Gatherers of Interior Alaska: 'As has been made clear, the principal meal and sometimes the only one of the day is eaten in the evening.'
--The Guayaki (Ache) Hunter Gatherers of Paraguay: 'It seems, however, that the evening meal is the most consistent of the day. This is understandable, since the day is generally spent hunting for food that will be eaten in the evening."
--The Kung Hunter Gatherers of Botswana. "Members move out of camp each day individually or in small groups to work through the surrounding range and return in the evening to pool the collected resources for the evening meal."
--Hawaiians, Tahitians, Fijians and other Oceanic peoples (pre-westernization). 'Typically, meals, as defined by Westerners, were consumed once or twice a day. . . Oliver (1989) described the main meal, usually freshly cooked, as generally eaten in the late afternoon after the day’s work was over."

The most consistent daily eating pattern that is beginning to emerge from the ethnographic literature in hunter-gatherers is that of a large single meal which was consumed in the late afternoon or evening. A midday meal or lunch was rarely or never consumed and a small breakfast (consisting of the remainders of the previous evening meal) was sometimes eaten. Some snacking may have occurred during daily gathering, however the bulk of the daily calories were taken in the late afternoon or evening. This pattern of eating could be described as intermittent fasting relative to the typical Western pattern, particularly when daily gathering or hunting were unsuccessful or marginal. There is wisdom in the ways of our hunter gatherer ancestors, and perhaps it is time to re-think three squares a day.



In other words, the notion of "grazing," or eating small meals or snacks throughout the day, is an unnatural situation. It is directly contrary to the evolutionarily more appropriate large meal followed by periods of no eating or small occasional meals.

I stress this point because I see that the notion of grazing has seized hold of many people's thinking. In my view, grazing is a destructive practice that is self-indulgent, unnecessary, and simply fulfills the perverse non-stop hunger impulse fueled by modern carbohydrate foods.

Eliminate wheat, cornstarch, and sugars and you will find that grazing is a repulsive impulse that equates with gorging.


The full-text of the Paleo Diet Newsletter can be obtained through www.ThePaleoDiet.com. You can also read and/or subscribe to the new Paleo Diet Blog, just launched in November, 2009.

Comments (12) -

  • Kevin

    11/24/2009 3:18:05 PM |

    I can't rememeber exactly when but several years ago a melting glacier uncovered a 5000 year old man in the Pyranees area. He was dubbed 'Oetzi'.  Since he carried a bow and arrow and kit with seeds he was certainly a hunter-gatherer.   It's logical that he was hunting and carried seeds to sustain him during the day.  But he died of an arrow attack so possibly he was killed for the game he had found, or perhaps by a tribe mate wanting to move up the social ladder.  Who knows.  

    kevin

  • Adolfo David

    11/24/2009 4:10:24 PM |

    And what about 3-4 small high fat (Omega 6 free) low carbs (no glycemic) meals during the day? Its for example my case

  • KENNY10021

    11/24/2009 5:23:26 PM |

    Plus grazing would result in higher levels of digestive acid present in the stomach more often. More acid, more often.......This too is unhealthy...is it not?

  • Richard Nikoley

    11/24/2009 7:58:11 PM |

    Excellent data, doc.

    I rarely eat anything big during the day, and almost never before 10am. It's now 12:00 noon and I'll be headed for an intense workout at 12:30 lasting for 30 minutes and will include a lot of pushing weight around. I may eat a bit in the afternoon, but most probably will have a large meal this evening.

    This approach has worked wonders in terms of body comp and especially, hunger. I'm just almost never ravenous as I was with all the junk, which I think is the root cause of the grazing dysfunction.

    Also, note that it's probably far easier for them to keep their minds off food when they're busy hunting and gathering it.

  • UofMWolverine81

    11/24/2009 9:54:10 PM |

    ting caught up on what meal frequency or timing is "best" and shift the focus toward ensuring an adequate micro and macronutrient intake that supports your goals and lifestyle?

    If I am highly active and making quality food choices that fall in line with that activity level, it seems like there wouldn't be anything inherently wrong with eating 4-6 small meals/snacks per day .  That's not to say that 1 or 2 relatively larger meals wouldn't work as well, but I can't see there being much overall difference provided overall daily intake is roughly equivalent (if not the same) and and the focus is on undamaged fat sources, lean protein sources, plenty of vegetables, and a modest intake of fruit (especially things like berries).

    Some folks find that various styles of intermittent fasting work best for them when it comes to controlling intake, and others have found that a higher number of smaller feedings work better. So while I do not dispute the wisdom in observing patterns from various hunter-gatherers, I don't feel that mirroring their patterns is something that fits my lifestyle and individual tendencies.

    Of course I could be living with my head in the sand and the joke is on me, but I figured I'd just offer up my general thoughts.  I am far from being an expert on these issues.

    In any event, thank you for sharing this post, Dr. Davis.

  • Helen

    11/25/2009 12:21:24 AM |

    I'm against grazing (especially since it's usually crap that people graze on), but I do have a question about this.  I recently read that the rate of strokes increases during Ramadan, which mirrors this pattern - a large evening meal every day.  

    http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/world-news/does-ramadan-fasting-increase-risk-of-stroke_10038409.html

    My father used to just eat one big meal a day at night.  He had a massive heart attack in his 50s.  He ate a lot of meat, butter, eggs, and bacon grease.  I doubt that all of that caused it - I think the primary cause was his two-pack-a-day unfiltered Camels habit.  But all of that didn't prevent it, either.

  • The Mick Solomons Experiment

    11/25/2009 1:59:47 AM |

    I've found going down to 2 main meals a day, and only eating between 11am and 6pm that my body fat has dropped considerably.  

    I was stuck on about 70kgs for 12 months after starting a high fat, low carb diet, since I've started IF I've dropped nearly a kg of body fat a week for the past 6 weeks (you can see photos on my blog) And I know its body fat because I'm maintaining and even increasing the amount of weight i'm lifting at the gym.

    I also feel great too Smile

  • Kathryn

    11/25/2009 2:44:44 AM |

    Then, why the insistence, heard over & over that breakfast is so important?  My body just doesn't seem to want something early in the day, & i've been trying to trust instinct.  But then i wonder if it is just a habit i've gotten into?  

    I'm not eating a lot of calories & i eat no wheat (on rare occasion i break this, but have been 95% gluten-free for about 4 years or more).  But no weight loss.  I sometimes wonder if it is because i'm resistant to having breakfast.  

    I really don't understand.

  • PERKDOUG

    11/25/2009 4:18:43 PM |

    I borrow here from the Diabetes community. Blood sugar spikes may be the root cause of or a major contributor to Type 2 diabetes. The bigger the meal the bigger the spike. Most of us that have endured the SAD for most of our lives are well on our way to Type 2 (in my opinion) even after taking to the Low Carb WOE. Thus we are damaged goods and probably would be well advised that if we eat fewer meals per day, we should test the effects on our blood sugar. I do this. Blood meters are dirt cheap. Low carbing no doubt helps but does not assure "no spikes".

  • Methuselah

    12/3/2009 2:16:43 PM |

    Kathryn, the answer to your question "then why the insistence" is because the people who are doing the insisting are basing their advice on little or no real evidence, just pseudo science and old-wivery. Don't confuse exposure with validity. Bad ideas very often get more air time than good ones and the world of medicine and nutrition is rich with examples.

  • buy jeans

    11/3/2010 6:40:00 PM |

    I stress this point because I see that the notion of grazing has seized hold of many people's thinking. In my view, grazing is a destructive practice that is self-indulgent, unnecessary, and simply fulfills the perverse non-stop hunger impulse fueled by modern carbohydrate foods.

  • mike

    5/29/2012 7:35:12 PM |

    If the typical hunter-gatherer tribe eats only once a day and if humans can only absorb around 35g of protein at one time, this would mean that even H-Gs eating very high protein diets would ACTUALLY be on very low protein diets. This is huge no?

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