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

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    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

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    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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The small LDL epidemic

The small LDL epidemic

Ten years ago, small LDL was fairly common, affecting approximately 50% of the patients I'd see. For instance, an LDL particle number of 1800 nmol/l would be 40-50% small LDL in about half the people.

But in the last few years, I've witnessed an explosion in the proportion of people with small LDL, which now exceeds 80-90% of people. The people who show small LDL also show more severe patterns. 80-90% small LDL is not uncommon.

Why the surge in the small LDL pattern? Two reasons: 1) The extraordinary surge in excess weight and obesity, both of which favor formation of small LDL particles, and 2) over-reliance on processed carbohydrates, especially wheat-based convenience foods.

The constant media din that parrots such nonsense as the report on CNN Health website, Healthful Breakfast Tips to Keep You Fueled All Day, helps perpetuate this misguided advice. The dietitian they quote states:

"If you don't like what you're eating, you won't stick with it. If your choices aren't the most nutritious, small tweaks can make them more healthful. For example, if you have a sweet tooth in the morning, try a piece of nutty whole-grain bread spread with a tablespoon each of almond butter (it's slightly sweeter than peanut butter) and fruit preserves instead of eating foods that offer sweetness but little nutritional benefit, like doughnuts or muffins. If you enjoy egg dishes but don't have time to prepare your favorite before work, try microwaving an egg while toasting two slices whole wheat or rye (whole-grain) bread. Add a slice of low-fat cheese for a healthful breakfast sandwich that's ready in minutes. And don't overlook leftovers. If you feel like cold pizza (which contains antioxidant-filled tomato sauce, calcium-rich cheese, and lots of veggies), have it. It's a good breakfast that's better than no breakfast at all."

It sure sounds healthy, but it's same worn advice that has resulted in a nation drowning in obesity. The food choices advocated by this dietitian keep us fat. It also perpetuates this epidemic of small LDL particles.

If you have small LDL and its good friend, low HDL, it's time for elimination of wheat products, not some politically-correct silliness about increasing fiber by eating whole grains. Whole grains create small LDL! Or, I should say, what passes as whole grains on the supermarket shelves.

For some helpful commentary on this issue, see Fanatic Cook's latest post, Playing with Grains.

Comments (24) -

  • Nancy M.

    10/16/2007 8:13:00 PM |

    Gary Taubes, in "Good Calories, Bad Calories", would argue that what is causing the small LDL is in fact the same thing causing the obesity.  Over consumption of starchy carbohydrates and sugars basically.  

    I think you'd find that book amazing. It is a comprehensive history in the mis-information cascade about diet and heart disease (and cancer).

  • Anonymous

    10/16/2007 8:23:00 PM |

    Previous month oats (oatmeal/oatbran) were advised for correcting LDL numbers.
    No grains is the advise this month.
    Oats are also grains, are they not?
    So is it okay to eat oats or not?

  • Dr. Davis

    10/16/2007 10:37:00 PM |

    Hi, Nancy--

    Yes, I agree. I am presently reading Taubes' book and am impressed with his grasp of the issues, a refreshing re-examination of issues most of us accepted as "fact."

  • Dr. Davis

    10/16/2007 10:39:00 PM |

    I'm using the word "grains" too loosely. I really mean processed wheat. I've had positive experiences with oats and flaxseed. I think some of the coarse grains like quinoa and barley are good to neutral.

  • Melanie

    10/16/2007 10:41:00 PM |

    Dr Dave - why do you think the American Heart Association, and other similar influential organizations, are failing to advise the public about wheat products, if they are contributing to the raise in small LDL particles, as you state?

  • Dr. Davis

    10/16/2007 10:46:00 PM |

    I can't speak for them, but I suspect that, as always, it has to become common knowledge among physicians before the policy makers in the AHA decide to make a change. They usually wait until data become overwhelming before allowing it to become their position. Also, there is a lot of money in the low-fat concept. See my posts about the AHA Heart CheckMark program, a very profitable program.

  • Melanie

    10/16/2007 10:54:00 PM |

    Yes the unfortunately it's the 'Big Business' monopoly again. Quite sickening actually!

    I am very interested but also concerned about this, and as a dietitian I do recommend wheat based products - can you suggest any journals/books on this matter?

  • Dr. Davis

    10/16/2007 10:58:00 PM |

    Yes, several sources:

    1) See my Blog post Oat vs. Wheat at  http://heartscanblog.blogspot.com/search/label/Oat%20vs.%20wheat in which I discuss Dr. Brenda Davy's study.

    2) Dr. Ronald Krauss has published rather extensively on this. Enter "Krauss" and "small LDL" into your PubMed search.

    3) Look at Dr. Loren Cordain's website, www.paleodiet.com, that contains reprints of his many reviews of the effects of grains on health.

    The most recent addition to the lay literature on this topic is Gary Taubes excellent book, "Good Calorie, Baad Calorie".

  • Melanie

    10/16/2007 11:04:00 PM |

    Dr Davis - many thanks for that, I will look into it.

  • Anonymous

    10/17/2007 5:19:00 AM |

    Excellent clip: leftover pizza = healthy breakfast. I love it. I can hear my friends now, "I order pizza because the leftovers make such a good breakfast."

    Next we'll hear that chocolate muffins made with vegetable oil are good for b'fast because "they're better than nothing, have no cholesterol and chocolate enhances serotonin function."

    Healthy breakfast choice = bad food + one slightly positive attribute grossly exaggerated.

  • Dr. Davis

    10/17/2007 12:34:00 PM |

    Well said!

  • Anonymous

    10/17/2007 4:16:00 PM |

    I would love to hear your thoughts (review) on Taubes' book, "Good Calories, Bad Calories", after you have finished reading it.

  • Dr. Davis

    10/17/2007 4:50:00 PM |

    Thank you. I will.

    We are also going to add a Book Review section on the www.trackyourplaque.com website near future.

  • jpatti

    10/17/2007 7:11:00 PM |

    I'm only a few hundred pages into Taubes book, but one of the things I'm liking a great deal thus far is his explanation of many of the factors measured in the TYP program.

    I was already familiar with the carb/insulin stuff (which is greatly simplified, leaving out the effects of glucagon, amylin, cortisol, the thyroid and sex hormones - all of which also effect blood glucose).  

    I'm much newer learning about heart disease.  A lot of what was empirical in the TYP book is explained much more thoroughly by Taubes.

    I like the Fanaticcook blog entry also - it's refreshing to see someone discuss whole grains who actually knows what a whole grain *is*.

  • wccaguy

    10/18/2007 2:59:00 PM |

    I watched the online video debate between Taubes, Ornish, and Dr. Barbara Howard of the AHA.  Taubes appeared to be unaware of the TYP program and the kind of incredible results being frequently reported at the TYP forum by forum members.

    Here's the YouTube link:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPyme62niYM
    For what it's worth, IMO, you and Mr. Taubes need to have a chat so he's better armed with evidence of what a low-carb diet can do with heart disease.  (As if you needed more to do, huh?)

    Jimmy Moore must have his contact information given that he did an interview with Mr. Taubes.

    You da' man doc!

  • Anonymous

    10/19/2007 6:09:00 PM |

    I watched the online video debate between Taubes, Ornish, and Dr. Barbara Howard of the AHA.

    wccaguy,

    FYI: I am pretty sure that this show is from 2001, after Taubes published his "What if it's all been a big fat lie" article on saturated fats and the lipid hypothesis.

  • John

    10/19/2007 7:19:00 PM |

    You comment "whole grains create small LDL!". Would beer (which is grain-based) be a culprit in your opinion, even in moderation? tia

    John

  • Dr. Davis

    10/19/2007 9:38:00 PM |

    Hi, John--

    Great question. However, I am uncertain. There is very little data on this specific issue, nor have I seen enough lipoprotein patterns pre- and post- beer inclusion.

    My gut sense: one or two beers a day is okay, provided weight is not impacted

  • John

    10/20/2007 3:19:00 PM |

    Not meaning to belabor the subject, you single out wheat versus "grains" in general as particularly detrimental, while oats for example are not, and can be even beneficial. Where does corn sit in this whole "grains" scheme? In a typical TYP program, are corn-based tortillas for example preferred to wheat-based ones, or are both to be avoided?

  • Dr. Davis

    10/21/2007 1:04:00 AM |

    Hi, John--

    From a glycemic index/small LDL/weight standpoint, corn products are every bit as detrimental as wheat.

    I single out wheat, however, since Americans are over-dependent on wheat products by such a huge margin. It isn't at all unusual, for instance, for someone to eat wheat products 5 times a day. That would be very unusual with corn products, however.

  • buy viagra

    7/21/2010 8:05:37 PM |

    Interesting article, never thought that grains may do such things. I was also wondering the same that John about beer.

  • Buy Jeans

    11/2/2010 7:56:21 PM |

    It sure sounds healthy, but it's same worn advice that has resulted in a nation drowning in obesity. The food choices advocated by this dietitian keep us fat. It also perpetuates this epidemic of small LDL particles.

  • Anonymous

    3/7/2011 6:23:28 AM |

    In response to Johns comment about beer:

    I'm no expert on the subject but from my experience with home brewing, it is my understanding that all, or at least most, of the carbohydrates are converted to simple sugars which are then fermented by yeast into alcohol and CO2.

    And so, rather than the sugar ending up in the persons blood stream, it is transformed into alcohol which enters the blood stream.

    So the real question is:

    "How does alcohol affect the ammount of small-LDL in the blood stream?"

    What I do know is that alcohol tends to lower the blood glucose levels, which I would think would be beneficial since it's blood glucose that the body uses to produce small-LDL.

  • Anonymous

    3/7/2011 6:38:04 AM |

    After further research i've descovered this:

    http://jcem.endojournals.org/cgi/content/full/92/7/2559

    Results: Alcohol intake was associated with total low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particles in a U-shaped manner. Consumers of one or more drinks per week had the highest number of large LDL particles, whereas consumers of 7–13 drinks per week had the lowest number of small LDL particles. Alcohol intake was strongly positively associated with large- and medium-sized high-density lipoprotein (HDL) particles but had an inverse relationship with concentrations of small HDL particles and small- and medium-sized very-low-density lipoprotein particles. Average particle sizes of all three lipoproteins were positively associated with alcohol intake. Associations were generally stronger among women than men but in similar directions. Beverage type did not consistently modify these findings.


    Long story short:

    DRINK MORE BEER!

    Transform all those nasty carb ridden grains into beer!

    Grain industy's happy, people are happy and we'll all be alot healthier.

    CRISES AVERTED!

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