Plaque reversal - Heart Disorders Message Board

Dilly70 · 08-04-2007, 07:44 AM

My cardiologists told me that there is nothing that will remove the plaque from my blocked heart arteries.

They stated that improving cholesterol levels will prevent further "hardening of the arteries", but will not reverse already clogged ones.

Lenin told me on another thread that taking statins and and thereby improving LDL will (may?) reverse plaque. I surely hope that is true, and hope to see more discussion on this subject. Are you there, Lenin?

On that same subject, there is information that "supplements" can do this job. For example can taking lecithin help?

Has anyone been successful with other supplements? Some people call them "oral chelators."

acp44 · 08-04-2007, 09:41 AM

Certain types of statins, and the blood pressure drug beta blockers have been shown to reduce plaque. Ask your doctor about these, as there are recent medical studies to back them up.

Supplements are less promising sadly. Among those alleged to reduce plaque are grapefruit pectin. An Israeli medical study claimed that pomegranite juice every day reduced plaque.

Oral chelation is a highly questionable and controversial alternative approach. From what I have read, there is no evidence it works, and it s not accepted by the medical community as an effective, harmless approach.

Good luck!

acp

Dilly70 · 08-04-2007, 10:02 AM

Thanks, ACP. Actually after I posted the question, I have done a lot of searching on the internet.

I found many articles by doctors, some by cardiologists, that regular exercise will reverse narrowing of the arteries, and it makes sense to me.

You see, I have a bad hip and cannot walk far, so for the last several years have used that as an exuse for doing nothing (although I do garden in the summer months). Can no longer cross country ski, or cycle.

Now, since my heart attack in March, I have started going to the pool to exercise in the deep water, and just started using my stationery bicycle that has remained idle for years. I have found that the pool work-out makes me feel very much better for the whole day.

By the way, I do take pomegranate extract. Also lecithin. Have taken lipitor until about 2 weeks ago. I very seldom get angina in the evenings now, although at first I could tolerate very little exertion in the evenings.

As well, my cardiologist and Cario Rehab have strongly advised to use a lot of Omega 3 oils, such as fish oil.

On the subject of statin drugs (Lipitor), I found that it was affecting my leg (the one with the bad hip), and I often could not even put my weight down, as the leg would start to "give way."

Being off Lipitor, is one of the reasons I am interested in any supplements that would repair the narrowing of the arteries, as I have 25% blockage in the lower left part of the heart.

mikey45 · 08-04-2007, 10:12 AM

Many doctors are recommending fish oil along with other medications to lower LDL. Take enough capsules for the DHA and EPA to equal 1000 mg. daily. If you are on Coumadin, you should talk to your doctor before using the fish oil. I also take Flaxseed oil. Along with lowering your LDL, you should focus on raising your HDL. Exercise and a very moderate use of alcohol (one or two glasses of wine or beer daily) will help build HDL. Lowering your LDL and raising your HDL will give you your best shot at reversing your plaque build-up.

nosa47 · 08-04-2007, 04:12 PM

The only thing that has been proven to come close to actually reversing plaque in arteries is Dr. Ornish's approach which includes a diet that is very low in fat and rich in complex carbs with very little, if any, meat or non-fat dairy products. This is part of his "total system" that includes weight loss, exercise and meditation. It is a very demanding system that is difficult to follow and is not for the faint of heart (no pun intended). But if someone is sufficiently motivated, it is not impossible to follow.