Heartsavers - Introduction
Studies have shown that it is possible to reverse heart disease
but not by a low fat diet alone, you've got to attend to
all the factors that affect the health of the heart. Reversal and
Prevention.
Some doctors believe CHD can be reversed.
Can heart disease be reversed
For man years doctors believed that heart disease couldn't be reversed but recent research has shown that life style changes can not just prevent or stop the progression of heart disease but can actually reverse the disease and open clogged arteries again.
Pioneering work by Dean Ornish MD has proven scientifically that reversing heart disease is possible through a strict regime that entails a very low fat near vegetarian diet, regular exercise, meditation and stress management techniques as well as regular social contact and support. His recommended diet reduces fat to 10% of total calories intake. The results showed a lowering of blood cholesterol levels and dramatic improvement in the coronary arteries of the participants.
The life styles changes required to reverse heart disease are the same as as those required to prevent heart disease, but they are much more strict - you really have to follow the rules to get any improvement in clogged arteries and cholesterol levels.
Other researchers have also done work on reversal programs which have also yielded impressive results. One thing that is clear from the studies is that it's never to late to begin to live a healthier life, many people with very severe coronary heart disease have seen improvements and reversal of the damage done to their arteries.
The methods used to reverse heart disease target all the factors that affect the health of the heart, not just diet, or exercise etc. This is known as the holistic approach.