Sunday Science 2026_09_13 Diet and Coronary Artery Disease
Can Diet Actually Reverse Heart Disease?
Three trials, one uncomfortable answer: the "standard American" advice given to most cardiac patients is not enough. Only intensive plant-based lifestyle change has been shown to shrink existing coronary plaque.
Ornish · Intensive
Vegetarian + Lifestyle
10% fat · exercise · stress mgmt
−7.9% Plaque change at 5 yrs (regression)
25 cardiac events
Sustained 5 years
Henzel · DASH
DASH + Optimal Meds
mostly plant-based, lean meat OK
−1.7% Non-calcified plaque change
Total plaque held roughly flat
Fatty plaque reduced
Modest, achievable diet
CT angiography…
The skinny
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