There are foods, which can easily lower the LDL. You should consume fishes. They are considered to be the greatest source of omega3 fatty acids. They can easily lower LDL levels and increase good cholesterol levels. In order to discard heart diseases, it is always advisable to eat high soluble fibers. You should consume lots of green colored vegetable, fruits and cereals to reduce LDL.

Thanks Dr. Davis. This is definitely very interesting. Would it be plausible that higher omega 3 levels are protectorant solely because omega 6 intake and cellular AA is so astronimically high?  

I ask if you've considered this because there is a sect of researchers that believe, when both omega 6 and 3 levels are low, an even more beneficial and anti-inflammatory PUFA is produced in its place called Mead Acid.  

Just wondering if you've encountered these ideas, and if so, why you've written them off in favor of achieving a high omega 3 level.

My guess is the other biggest cause of variation in omega-3 index, after omega-3 consumption, is omega-6 consumption. Inversely of course. Dr Bill Lands writes extensively about this on his essential fatty acids education (efaeducation) web site hosted by the NIH.

Does the omega-3 index likewise have the same striking correlation with stroke incidence?

Dr Davis,

  Is there any issues with international orders for the O3 Index kit?  For myself, Canada specifically.

Also, I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on *over* consumption of omega-3s and the potential health hazards, if any, in a future post.

I'm kinda fuzzy on the interaction between omega-6 and omega-3. Would lowering omega-6 consumption increase the Omega-3 Index as well?

I've lost over 40 pounds so far with diet and exercise.  I blog at Fitness Achievement

Harris and v. Schacky proposed omega-3 index in 2004 as a novel physiologically relevant, easily modified, independent, and graded risk factor for death from CHD that could have significant clinical utility
http://tinyurl.com/ybxmor4

In my view it is impossible to reach a 8-10% omega-3 index just by increasing intake of fish and other seafood. One needs fish oil as dietary supplements.

The role of LDL cholesterol in atherosclerosis is a major misunderstanding. The mechanism of the disease is mainly chronic low-grade inflammation, and omega-3:s are excellent anti-inflammatory agents. JELIS demonstrated it nicely. The effect goes beyond cholesterol.
http://tinyurl.com/ye55mfr

E-EPA (1.800 mg/day), as dietary supplement, prevented angina pectoris, clinical myocardial infarctions and new cases of coronary heart disease in Japanese population, although they eat 5-6 times more fish and Americans.

And even more important: keep the Omega-6 low. One you do that, you won't have to worry so much about additional intake of omega-3.

If fish oil does turn out to be the fountain of youth it will be bad news for the fish.

Leptin receptor polymorphisms interact with polyunsaturated fatty acids to augment risk of insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome in adults. This study shows how low omega 3 status and/or high omega 6 status exacerbate genetic risk of hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance and changing to a high omega 3 low omega 6 status abolished that risk factor.

In response to Medical Answering Services  may I remind readers farmed fishes, such as Tilapia, may provide more omega 6 than omega 3 and may be equivalent to eating donuts or burgers.

Omega 3 and omega 6 should in a 1/1 ratio. In order to maintain that you need a low carbs diet and supplement with about 3.000 mg of fish oil per day.

Commercial fish is loaded with omega 6, so is most of the meat you buy at the supermarket.

So, in the real world you have to cut all grains, grain oils and take some omega 3 supplements.

If any of the readers is interested in reading about omega 3 in spanish, please go to http://www.omega-3-fish-oil-wonders.com/omega3.html

Best wishes,
Alfredo E.

While fish oils are a viable source for omega 3 fatty acids, reports indicate krill oil may be a more suitable supplement for cholesterol lowering strategies.  

A recent study on neptune krill oil and cholesterol found patients taking 500 mg. per day of Neptune Krill Oil experienced total cholesterol decrease of 19%, LDL cholesterol decreased by 44% and HDL cholesterol increased by 33%.  Study subjects who took 3 grams a day of fish oil supplements experienced Total cholesterol decrease of 6%, LDL cholesterol decrease of 4% and HDL cholesterol increase of 4%.  

Fish oils do offer cardiovascular benefits, but it may appear Neptune Krill Oil could be a more suitable supplement for patients seeking more aggressive cholesterol lowering treatment.

What a great resource!

I ate fishes but fried them in sunflower oil but there was no benifit

Here is the latest article written by Prof Clemens von Schacky about Omega-3 Index
http://20.fi/3779

Dr Pentti Raaste and yours truly have just published a small leaflet for prevention and self treatment of cardiovascular diseases http://20.fi/3780

30-Days of High Omega-6 Diet--Stiffens Arteries and Increases Belly Fat

I was shocked to see what happens when someone with a good omega 3 status changes to an omega 6 rich diet for a month.

Now consider what happens when people have been consuming too much omega 6 in relation to omega 3 from  conception and throughout their entire lives.

The data suggest that, while an omega-3 index of 7.3% is associated with reduced risk for sudden cardiac death, a higher level of 10% or greater is associated with less risk for heart attack. Surprisingly, fish consumption and fish oil intake account for only 47% of the variation in omega-3 index.

That graph really shows how healthy omega 3 is. It is just a very amazing thing. I think taking omega 3 regularly will keep our body healthy.

I discovered the powers of omega-3 when I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. of course, that didn't cure me but I'm really better now on omega-3 supplemts. It's not eliminating fats what we need to be healthy (as many would say), it the RIGHT fats. I'm glad the healthy fats topic is getting more and more popular.

Those billions of dollars that would be saved are billions of dollars that would not go to medical professionals. Where is their incentive to prevent heart problems?

If I'm a woman age 52 in apparent good health,  how could I get a doctor to order a CT scan?
SWR, Ph.D.

Of course, there is no way to compel someone to do something like order a test. However, many states do not require a doctor's order to perform a CT heart scan. It's best to check with a center performing the scan and they can tell you if an order is necessary.

Doctor,
Have you ever heard of this?
I hear you talking about Lp(a) quite alot and I'm not counting on my daily dose of Lipitor to straighten out whatever else might be going on backstage in my bloodstream, you know?
Let me know what you think.
Adam
http://www.thecureforheartdisease.com/pauling/lpatent.html

Hi, Adam--

Yes, we've tried the Rath/Pauling formula informally but have never seen any substantial effect.

Lipoprotein(a) is a very real phenomenon that clusters in high-risk families with heart disease. The treatment is specific, e.g., niacin, testosterone, and others. However, it must be measured specifically. Be sure to see the extensive conversations on our website, www.trackyourplaque.com.

hello- I am new to your blog and just wondering your opinion on "The South Beach Diet" or what diet/book you recommend.
I am a 50 year old male on a statin with a calcium score of 2. My lipid numbers are OK now but I really want to get off the statin and am totally confused by all the contradicting diet info out forthe public.Help!

Hi Dr. Davis,

I joined TrackYourPlaque today and appreciate your insight there.

The story you relate in this post is incredible really and one I can relate to...

10 years ago I had a mild heart attack at 43 which led to 3 stents.  5 years ago, just symptoms which got me to the hospital which led to a triple bypass.

I've met with a lot of doctors, including cardiologists who appear often to know less about what they're doing than I have come to know through research and reading on the internet.

I guess it's understandable that every adult patient wouldn't get sophisticated lipoprotein subfraction analysis as a matter of course.

But you'd think that someone in my situation would get sophisticated input.

My HMO was and is great for emergency conditions and has highly qualified surgeons and facilities.

But after reading this post, I was struck again by how little informed and significant knowledge about best practice treatment methods one can really get in some HMO contexts.

I know that I've spent a lot of time doing my own research to learn everything I could ('cause I don't want to die young) and I have to wonder sometimes what happens to folks with issues similar to mine who don't have a research and read orientation or the time to learn enough to protect themselves with preventative measures.

Mid Life Male in CA
aka "wccaguy"

South Beach Diet is a wonderful program, at least phases 1 and II. Phase III, in my opinion, is too lax by including too much wheat. However, it is an overall solid and healthy diet. Also beware of its over-reliance on processed foods. The best foods for all of us are in the produce aisle, the ones with no labels.

Our principal website, www.trackyourplaque.com, will also soon be releasing the NEW Track Your Plaque Diet that incorporates many of the concepts discussed here to help achieve control over heart scan scores.

Mid Life Male--

Yes. Lipoprotein testing, in my view, can make or break success in gaining control over your disease.

Unfortunately, the lack of knowledge in this area is not confined to the HMO's. HMO's are, in fact, poorly represented in Wisconsin, yet ignorance among my colleagues regarding lipoprotein testing and other advanced measures of risk persists outside of the HMO setting. In short, it's everywhere. It's up to us to talk about it and spread the word.

Hello- Greg here- I posted the South beach Diet question- thanks so much for the response. A couple questions:
- Is your new book coming out actually a book to purchase or part of your membership web-site?
- Can you tell me when it will be available?
- I know you don't recommend wheat flour products but can you comment on sprouted grain bread line Eziekiel or similar brands, are these any better in moderation? Or should I just forget about bread entirely?
- My calcium score was 2. That was about 3 years ago, now at 50 when should I have it done again?
Thanks!
Greg

Greg - again- sorry, I might be confused here. My calcium score was 2 is that the same as a heart scan score?
I am not sure I know the difference.
Thanks!

Hello- sorry for all  my comments but I just found your site and I am very impressed.
I did a search for Splenda and didn't come up with much- can you comment on this product and the use of it in your program.I have dessert issues... I did enjoy the ricotta dessert on South Beach but what do you think of jello and the use of Splenda in desserts without wheat!There is so much on the web about the evils of Splenda- who to believe?
Thanks!
I really should just become a member I suppose.
Greg

Another question- do you have any thoughts on Dr. Gott's "No Sugar, No Flour Diet"? He is coming out with a cookbook this December to compliment this book.
Thanks!
Greg

Sorry, no. I've heard of it but haven't yet read it. I like the title, however!

In my experience, I've not witnessed any ill effects from Splenda or Stevia. I have seen plenty of mental cloudiness, however, with aspartame. I still think it's a good idea to keep your sweeteners, natural or synthetic, to a minimum.

Yes, a heart scan score and a calcium score are the same thing.

The New Track Your Plaque Diet will be a Special Report posted on the www.trackyourplaque.com website sometime in the next few months.

With a starting score of 2, I would not recommend another scan for 3 to 5 years.

I actually have a 18-month old loaf of Ezekiel bread in my freezer that I have not yet had a chance to play around with. So, no, sorry, no experience nor much knowledge of this specific product yet.

Thanks for the responses.
Can you tell me, in general, how often a person should have a heart scan done. As I said my last one was at 48 ( a score of 2)  I am now 50.
Thanks!
Sorry if I already asked this.
Greg

OK- I have been reading many of your posts today and thanks for your patience with my posting enthusiasm... I think I asked the same question twice!
I have beed struggling for sometime with diet and my physician is no help.
I did lose on South Beach but gained much of it back.
I see that you recommend South Beach but as I read your postings it seems you lean toward a vegetarian diet too or am I reading into this.
By joining the web-site would I get access to recipes and meal plans?
Thanks for help and patience with the new guy.
Greg

Greg--

South Beach is a wonderful program. Following a vegetarian diet is a choice, but not a necessary part of doing well on our program.

Unfortunately, meal programs will not be found on the Track Your Plaque website, just discussion of principles and occasional recipes. We are working towards that, however.

Thanks!
I think I have been reading too much over the years as I have dealing with higher blood lipids and weight gain.
The whole vegan/vegetarian crowd can make me nervous - The China Study, Ornish, McDougall, Fuhrman, Esselstyn, Pritikin, etc.... they all say theirs is THE way. I had the nutritionist write me back from the Pritkin Center and say South Beach (in the one study done) showed no decrease in LDL and that it is a horrible diet.
Also there was an article between Ornish and Agatston in Ornish's column he writes for Newsweek where Dr. Agatston said Ornishes approach was aggressive but perhaps he should offer it to those that want to try it in the future ( I am not quoting correctly but you can google Ornish and Agatston and find the article) It kind of made me feel like he wasn't too proud of his program or maybe he was just trying to appease Ornish.... urrhhh... not sure.
I know as the public we are really lead down different paths and the more I read the more confused I get.
Best- Greg

I always remind people not to  confuse diets meant to achieve WEIGHT LOSS and diets that correct causes of HEART DISEASE. There is a good deal of overlap but there can be crucial differences.

The inclusion of abundant grains, for instance, from whole wheat or whole grain bread and breakfast cereals, magnifies undesirable small LDL particles and raises triglycerides, both powerfully related to increased coronary plaque growth.

We use the heart scan score as our endpoint and guided along the way by lipoprotein patterns. I think this makes us worlds smarter about diet, what works and what doesn't.

Thanks so much for all your help.
I am wondering if your counsel patients at your clinic- either you or your staff.
I am near LaCrosse, WI so not that far away. Or is it better just to join your site?
I did have the LDL test and my particle size were a bit on the small side and as you know I have a calcium score of 2.
Just wondering about next steps for myself- I know you cannot counsel via this blog, just looking for a general recommendation.
Thanks!
Greg

Hi, Greg--
I would suggest using our website.

In all honesty, I do not do the website work to increase my practice. My practice is already bursting to overflowing. I am confident that the Track Your Plaque website can serve your purposes quite well.

I think that the lipoprotien tests should be included in the standard list for testing Cholesterol.

As I've said before, standard cholesterol testing is a fool's game. You can squeeze a little bit of information out of them, but there's so much more information that can be easily obtained through lipoprotein testing like Jack had.

Maybe Monsato knows what causes it.

This is similar to what happened to me, although it took a lot longer.  I was diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis and had pain in almost every joint.  Removing gluten from my diet and in about a year my AS went into remission and I am feeling so much better.

Scratch that.  Amazingly wheat is one of the few product "monsanto" doesn't touch.

After cutting way, way back on the carbs (and eliminating wheat), my little aches and pains, sinus headaches and fatigue disappeared. My skin is better, too. Oh, and I'm back to what I weighed in high school. I'm so happy with my new diet that it's hard not to proselytize.

It's interesting how little attention is paid to gluten intolerance, and more generally grain intolerances, in humans.

In contrast, it is quite easy to find statistics on the amount of the world's population that is lactose intolerant and which populations are most susceptible.

Quite the eye-opening post.

I have a story that is somewhat similar. I've had chronic neck and back pain for years. Nothing debilitating but it was "there" every day, sometimes for many hours. I was taking way too much ibuprofen to manage the discomfort.

Anyways, I read an article in the news somewhere about how "we" all sit in chairs too much, that the human body wasn't meant to do that kind of thing, and that doing so could lead to chronic neck and back pain! The suggestion was to use a standing desk.

Being a bit of a cheapskate, I setup a shelving unit about two weeks ago, put my computer and so forth up on the shelf, and gave it a shot.

Literally, the next day my back and neck pain was gone. Just gone. Hasn't come back. In addition, my weight loss efforts seem to be doing a little better. Hey, its not much exercise, but its certainly a better "workout" than sitting on my duff all day.

Granted, I've only been at this for two weeks and its too early to tell whether any of the affects are real or just coincidental. Still, though, I'd recommend to just about anybody that they give a shot at standing up throughout their workday instead of sitting down. It can't hurt anything, I think, and its worth a try.

Mike

Apparently, nobody cares about wheat. It's been this way for 15 years. It's like trying to convince people that earth is round rather than flat. We have a long way to go. Frustrating when we have Federal Government promoting low fat, high carbs diet.

I believe it. Most of my aches and pains went away when I eliminated wheat also. I used to almost have to crawl out of bed in the morning, which I attributed to "getting old". Yet not one single doctor ever once suggested my diet could have anything to do with the problem.

Bill -

You should send this story to Oprah!

Not surprising at all! :0  It's going to become more and more common to see results like this - and yes - I agree with your point about the problem being SO MUCH more to do with the gluten issue - it's more about the over commercialized, genetically modified wheat that has entered our diet which is probably causing the problem.

Hi, Fred!

I was so impressed when I heard you talk that you mentioned the grain-rheumatoid arthritis connection. That's a pretty obscure relationship, but one I, too, am convinced is real.

This type of case must be very rewarding for a doctor.

Not only did you save this person's life with your advice, his quality of life improved dramatically.

I also was diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis when I was 20 years old. I'm now 42 and have had both of my hips replaced. I read another article about the dangers of gluten:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-mark-hyman/gluten-what-you-dont-know_b_379089.html

I've been off wheat now for about 4 months and the inflammation is almost completely gone. When I started I could only walk about 3 blocks but I'm up to a mile now and without the extreme pain in my joints. I still have a lot of therapy to do but I'm actually hopeful about my health for the first time in years.

Thanks for getting this info out to people!

My knee pain was the first thing that disappeared when I stopped eating gluten. That was 7 yrs ago and still doing well. I wake up in the morning with no joint pain. Not bad for 67 yrs.

Yup, my mother-in-law was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis back in the '70s.  I convinced her to give up wheat a year ago and all her pains went away.  

I'm convinced many "diseases" are actually symptoms of various food intolerances, with wheat being the most likely suspect.

Are you claiming that everyone should eliminate wheat from their diet?

What about the recent attacks on sodium from the UN in the form of Codex Alimentarius? Personally, I think it's more about control as I documented here

"I'm convinced many "diseases" are actually symptoms of various food intolerances, with wheat being the most likely suspect."

More specifically gluten, so we need to include rye, barley, tritcale, spelt, kamut, in that.  Also dairy #2.  If it does not bother your individual body, it does not.  But for so many one or both of there are disasters.

The hardest part, second after the addiction/cultural promotion of them as good, healthy foods, is that it can take many days of zero intake before improvement is really noticeable.  People are so emotionally attached to what they eat they fight tooth and nail against giving something up for that long "just to see." That is of course, unless/until they are truly desperate!

At this link you will find the free full text of an interesting well illustrated review article.
Resolution of Adipose Tissue Inflammation

Dr Dr Davis
I think I may have mistakenly posted a link to an review on Resolution of Adipose Tissue Inflammation that I intended as a reply to a different blog.
Although it's an interesting paper confirming the importance of the role of omega 3, it is off topic for this particular thread. I'd be pleased if you could delete it.Many thanks Ted

I used to have severe menstrual cramps from the time I hit menarche. And miraculously they went away last year after I gave up wheat.

MB

Loren Cordain has written a paper on the role of dietary lectins in rheumatoid arthritis:

http://www.thepaleodiet.com/articles/Arthritis%20PDF.pdf

How convenient - this brand new Cordain's Paleo newsletter has some information on the subject as well:



Q: Could you suggest recent scientific articles on the topic of dietary lectins and rheumatoid arthritis?

Many thanks,
Allena

A: Dear Allena,

To my knowledge, there are no recent studies addressing the role of a paleolithic diet and its implications in rheumatoid arthritis, except from that of Dr. Cordain. On his DVD How to Treat Multiple Sclerosis with Diet, Dr. Cordain thoroughly explains the dietary mechanisms of autoimmunity in MS which are almost the same for all autoimmune diseases, including RA. These include: increased intestinal permeability, increased passage of luminal antigens into peripheral circulation, molecular mimicry and genetic susceptibility (genes encoding for the HLA system), among other factors.

In recent years, new substances have been discovered which might be responsible for increased intestinal permeability - namely saponins - found in legumes, potatoes, soya, quinoa, amaranth, alfalfa sprouts or tomatoes. If you've seen Dr. Cordain's scientific paper entitled "Modulation of immune function by dietary lectins in rheumatoid arthritis", I am sure you are aware of the role lectins play in autoimmunity.

Adjuvants are used by immunologists in order to boost the immune system and induce immune response. It turns out that certain foods possess bioactive compounds that have adjuvant-like activity. This is the case for tomatoes or quillaja (a foaming agent used in beers and soft drinks).

Gliadin is a prolamine found in wheat which has been shown to increase intestinal permeability, and hence the risk of suffering from an autoimmune disease. While several clinical trials conducted have shown promising results, unfortunately they have used a gluten-free diet or vegan diet instead of a whole paleolithic diet, which we think is superior.

In the vegan diets, authors often claim that the benefits cited might be due to the lack of meat, but we think the positive effect relies on the lack of diary proteins and gluten. Meat has historically been seen as the "bad guy" of inflammation, but the data to support that notion is not sufficiently compelling.

Listed below are some references that may be helpful.

Cordially,
Maelán Fontes

References:

1: Modulation of immune function by dietary lectins in rheumatoid arthritis. Cordain L, Toohey L, Smith MJ, Hickey MS. Brit J Nutr 2000, 83:207-217.

2: Gluten-free vegan diet induces decreased LDL and oxidized LDL levels and raised atheroprotective natural antibodies against phosphorylcholine in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a randomized study. Elkan AC, Sjöberg B, Kolsrud B, Ringertz B, Hafström I, Frostegård J. Arthritis Res Ther. 2008;10(2):R34. Epub 2008 Mar 18.

3:A vegan diet free of gluten improves the signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis: the effects on arthritis correlate with a reduction in antibodies to food antigens. Hafström I, Ringertz B, Spångberg A, von Zweigbergk L, Brannemark S, Nylander I, Rönnelid J, Laasonen L, Klareskog L. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2001 Oct;40(10):1175-9.


So gliadin in wheat seems to be an important bad guy, eh ?


PS: Thank you so much Dr Davis for bringing information on wheat havoc  to the masses. It's very much appreciated!

Dr. Davis,
I hope you don't mind that I have (kind of) translated this post into German and published it on my Blog. You can find it on http://www.urgeschmack.de/schmerzfrei-getreideverzicht/

With a few exceptions, I have found those who comment on this blog to be very well informed, adding wonderful references, insights and experiences to the conversation.

@Professor Tom; even a rudimentary glance of Dr. Davis' blog would reveal that he does not think EVERYONE should stop eating wheat, but for his heart patients, patients with pain and inflammation, patients with neurological disorders, and patients with weight, blood sugar and hormonal imbalances, or other serious and chronic health conditions he advises them to TRY 4 weeks of completely avoiding all wheat/gluten and see if it makes a difference, and in 70% of people it does.  

It is not some kind of mind control conspiracy theory to make us into docile sheep.  It is the opposite in fact.  He is helping people regain their health by bucking convention; opting out of the wheat based culture and freeing ourselves from dependence on pharmaceuticals.  

I have seen miraculous health results of going totally grain free for 3 members of my family.  Personally, I only experienced weight loss and increased immunity but that is still worth it.

Carrie,

I've had a different impression. I understand that Dr Davis does not consider wheat to be human food at all and as a paleo scholar, I completely agree.

I also acknowledge that all wheat is not equal - here in Finland I think wheat elimination alone will not show as dramatic effects as in US. Different genome, in both humans and wheat itself.

In energy versus nutrient equations wheat loses anyway and added salt further unbalances the essential sodium/potassium ratio that is very important in BP control and kidney health. Antinutrient in wheat are a great way to weaken your micronutrient status. The greens and berries own wheat every time.

IMHO, playing risk game with not-yet-sick people with catastrophe food like wheat is simply stupid. When wheat derived autoimmune disease starts to take it's toll, it may not be reversed anymore. As for sdLDL, it may not cause symptoms at all before the first MI. Then you're dead or in the risk risk of sudden death for the rest of your life. Not fun.

That is amazing if you could detect something so smoothly and it worked...it's like a miracle or a magic.Why is gluten bad and for all joint pains?

I would not say that gluten is bad!  What is bad or damaging is many individuals (NOT all) physiological reaction to it.  If you are reactive to gluten, then it is systemically inflammatory.  If you have poor blood sugar regulation, then wheat (maybe its the gluten?) can dramatically raise blood sugar and elevated blood sugar is also inflammatory.