Dr. Dean Ornish’s Program for Reversing Heart Disease: The Only System Scientifically Proven to Reverse Heart Disease Without Drugs or Surgery

Still extremely important, and here’s why–
Of all the “alternative medicine” heart books out there (or at least the five best-sellers that I’ve read), Ornish’s is still the most complete, up-to-date, sensible and safe. Esselstyne’s, which is currently in the number one slot in sales, is practically the same except slightly more “radical” (he prohibits oils of any kind–whether fish, flax, soy). It’s simpler to read, briefer, and more current (probably accounting for its popularity), but for the most part it’s a stripped-down version of Ornish’s book, even following the same organization (advice plus lots of recipes). Ornish’s program has the advantage of giving consideration to factors other than food and exercise as a therapeutic measure, and is the more “philosophic.” (Also, there’s the matter of sugar and triglycerides, appended below.)What sets Ornish apart, above all, is his holistic approach. He’s fully aware that just as conventional medicine has placed excessive emphasis on stents, statins and bypasses, alternative medicine has committed much the same when on too-exclusive emphasis on foods, fish oils, various vitamins, enzymes, proteins and amino acids. Ornish looks squarely at the mental-emotional-spiritual dimension of human experience and the role of stress on heart disease. Just as literature-philosophy-theology teachers of modern thought dwell on the theme of alienation–from self, from others, from a higher power–in a modern and post-modern world, Ornish repeatedly comes back to the same theme, quoting, for example, T. S. Eliot and “The Four Quartets” (the Thunder’s words at the end of “The Wasteland” also resonate here). For Ornish the operative word is not “alienation” but “isolation,” which must be confronted and overcome at all costs for healing to occur. Quoting Sam Keene, he makes it clear that projecting one’s own biases against the “other”–as members of hate groups are want to do–is no antidote to “isolation.” It requires control, sympathy, understanding, perhaps above all a rejection of material values and the need to be liked. Ornish’s is the one book that goes beyond what to eat and not to eat, what pills to take and avoid, what exercises to do and how often. His is the most spiritual approach.Here’s the problem with some of the other books–for example, by Sinatra (who to his credit provides the most specific, illuminating information about “the new cardiology” or Ignarro (Dr. N.O.): With the exception of Ornish and Esselstyne, they prescribe the consumption of vitamins, supplements, pills and powders in megadoses that are not proven to be without side-effects which, for some individuals, can be draining and stressful in themselves. I know people who can’t tolerate probiotics, ginseng, S-ame, goldenseal, grapefruit seed oil, and any number of the recent supplements that are sold simply on the basis of one “expert’s” say-so, the cooperation of the vitamin manufacturers, and without FDA approval. To ingest the quantities of CoQ-10 and d-Ribose recommended by Sinatra or the 4 grams of d-Arginnine plus Citrulline required by Ignarro (in addition to 5 to 10 other “essential” supplements) is to invite a certain amount of discomfort before any of the advertised effects might be noticed. Indeed, to follow these recommendations is to trust that the medical “establishment” is completely ignorant of the wondrous powers of these supplements or determined to make us over-tax the health care system more than is already the case.Lord knows, the FDA, or organized medicine, has slipped up its share of the time, has been overly slow to approve some measures, overly hasty in other cases. But to demonize them as some sort of vast conspiracy intent upon keeping us all feeling unwell is, however much of a therapeutic placebo to some, an insult to common sense and logic. In fact, some of these health evangelists–going back to Adele Davis and Linus Pauling–prescribe as much from the perspective of belief, faith and theology as caution, wisdom, and science.[Not a popular review, but I stand by it. Even in his preface (p. xxix), Ornish calls attention to a matter that I simply missed while reading 5-6 more current books on CVD: simple carbs, or “non-fat” sugar and corn syrup. Yes, Esselstyne (and the rest, too) endorses organic, whole grain products, which would ensure the reader imbibes essential complex carbs. But the other books don’t always explain as fully as necessary the primary REASON for watching the carbs no less than the fats. It leads to high sugar blood counts, overproduction of insulin, insulin resistance and, as a result, not only tiredness but elevated triglycerides and high blood pressure. I had been so exclusively focused on HDL and LDL and the avoidance of all meat, dairy, oils, fats, etc. that I was inadequately prepared for the results of a truly comprehensive lipid panel. To be fair to Esselstyne, it was from a paper on his website–not from any personal physician–that I learned about the absolute necessity of staying on Plavix following insertion of a chemically-treated stent. All the more reason to try alternative measures–such as the diet changes recommended by Ornish and Esselstyne–to preserve that precious endothelium before replacing it with something you didn’t receive from your mother.]

LÓGICO E INTERESANTE SU MÉTODO, TOMANDO EN CUENTA QUE NUESTRA SALUD ES RESULTADO DE UN CONJUNTO DE VARIANTES Y NO SOLO UN MEDICAMENTO

My stepdad had a mild heart attack and he wanted to make some changes. This book was very informative for him. He was already plant-based but he made more changes to his lifestyle and exercise based on Dr. Ornish’s recommendations. This book plus Dr Esselstyn’s book is essential reading for anyone with heart issues.

Bought this book for my mother as she is struggling with health issues in her late 50s. It is packed with very good information for a start, and will also look to getting Dr. Esselstyn’s book very soon as well. Hope she will make good use of this wealth of knowledge! It is a shame we are not taught these things at a very young age, in our families or the educational system. Sadly there is little incentive doing so and will be met mostly with backlash in mainstream society. Attitudes are slowly changing however, and it is up to the younger generations to be the light forward in making the societal and cultural impact around nutrition and health that’s sorely needed more than ever. Heart disease is not inevitable; prevention and reversing these diseases is doable if you really want it.