Heart Disease: Good News, Bad News.

Atherosclerosis is the disease that destroys the arteries of millions of Americans every year.  In fact, it is the number one killer of men and women.  Atherosclerosis leads to heart attacks, strokes, hearing loss, kidney failure, impotence, disability, immobility and leg and back pain.

How does atherosclerosis get started?
The disease process begins when the inside linings of the arteries are injured by oxidized cholesterol, a by-product of antibody reactions started by eating meat and dairy products.  Slivers of cholesterol and globs of fat leak under the inside lining of the arteries (The Endothelium).  These slivers of cholesterol and fat cause festering sores known as atherosclerotic plaques.  Unfortunately, our arteries do not contain nerve endings so we don't know to take action until a tragedy strikes such as a heart attack or stroke!  The tragedy of complete artery closure begins with the rupture of a tiny overstuffed plaque bulge.  When this happens, the content of the plaque (a fatty liquid) drains into the bloodstream and immediately a clot is formed, causing the artery to close off.  The blood clot is called a thrombus and a heart attack has just occurred, called a coronary thrombosis.  Obviously, this is very bad news to the one having the heart attack or stroke and to their loved ones.

How do you treat the cause of Atherosclerosis?
There is good news for those suffering from atherosclerosis (Coronary Artery Disease or CAD).  It has been discovered and proven that CAD is not only preventable but also can be halted and even reversed!

The rather simple solution to Atherosclerosis is to begin a life-style change including a dietary make over.  The disease is defeated by following a Whole Foods, Plant Based Diet.  The attached photo is  an actual angiogram of a Left Anterior Descending Artery. Courtesy of Dr. Caldwell B. Esselstyn from the Cleveland Clinic.

On the far left, the lack of blood flow is clearly visible due to blockage.  After treatment with nutrition alone, the artery on the right, is clear and has normal blood flow restored.

So what causes Heart Disease: Eating the Standard American Diet! (Meat, Dairy, Processed Foods and Oil).  The choice is clear.  The solution is actually doable; eating a wonderful diet of quantities of VEGETABLES, FRUITS, WHOLE GRAINS, BEAN AND LEGUMES.

Compare the arteries and chose life!


Comments adapted from Dr. John A. McDouball, M.D.
Food Diary/Instagram@stevemattis