I just finished a book by a physician who ran a study on a bunch of seriously ill cardiac patients, and in all but 1 of 17 patients in the study, eliminated their symptoms of heart disease. In some cases, the disease was reversed - very impressive before/after views of arteries.

The book is easy and fun to read, focusing much of it on the individual people themselves, but also giving the best description of heart disease I have read. And it has lots of recipes.

The diet is straightforward - less than 10% fat; "plant food" only; no oils whatsoever. He thoroughly, and effectively, debunks the good press about olive oil.

The patients who got referred to him had had over 49 cardiac "events" - heart attacks, bypass surgery, etc. Some had been told there was nothing else to be done. That they would be dieing from the disease, maybe within the year. Instead, he got them well. It is now 20 years later. Some are in their 80's and doing well.

Here's a website about the book by Dr. Esselstyn, "Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease":

http://heartattackproof.com/

Here's a link to one of the studies published in Preventive Cardiology:

http://www.heartattackproof.com/resolving_cade.htm

I am incorporating his approach into the Calorie Restricted (CR) diet I have been on for the last few years.

I strongly recommend the book.

Bob
http://www.nbrhd.net/CR/CR.htm

No oil whatsoever? So what on earth do fat-soluble vitamins attach themselves to?

There are some oils in plants. What about those?

The body needs fat. Actually some people (mostly women) can thrive on a diet high in good fats. Lose weight, gain muscle, (obviously not at the same time).

And from what I've heard of the calorie restricted diet, it's not that restricted.

Hi Nathan and Chereen,

He is adamant about not using oils of any type, but as you rightly point out, does not say you cannot eat something with fat in it, since plant foods have fat too. He does say that of all the fruits, the one you should not eat is avocado because it has so much fat. The website really is interesting to read and in particular there is a 6 minute video on it that is fun to watch.

I agree with you about CR not being all that restrictive. I am on the CR diet and have no problem with cutting back from around my previous 2500 to 3000 calories to my current 1500 to 1700. The hard part is tracking to ensure you get 100% of nutrients, and I add in my own rule that those nutrients are to come from food, not supplements, if at all possible. Also, I do not eat any artificial sweeteners.

Bob

Bob

You do good, Bob!!

John and Mary McDougall recommend the same thing: if you can eliminate the oil from your diet, do so. No animal products, and no high-fat vegetable products either (veg oils, nuts, avocados).

Other healthy-eating proponents are less severe. Fuhrman and Ornish allow you nuts and avocados and don't necessarly have you cut out all animal products, though they recommend severely restricting them.

All of them have a good number of patients over the years who have reduced or eliminated medications and stopped progression of or reversed diseases on their programs.

Don't wait until you have your first heart attack or are diagnosed with cancer -- start eating healthier now! Some diseases respond very well to a better diet within weeks, but others usually require months and years of proper eating for you to reap the benefits.

See DrFuhrman.com and DiseaseProof.com for more info, and plenty of free and informative articles.