Why Plant Based

How Does a Plant-Based Diet Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease?
By eliminating cholesterol and any fat beyond the natural, healthy amounts found in plants, followers of Dr. Esselstyn's low-fat, plant-based diet protect their endothelium, the innermost lining of all blood and lymph vessels and the heart. The endothelium produces nitric oxide, a very important vasodilator, which enlarges the vessels, promotes smooth blood flow, and prevents astherosclerosis or vascular plaque formation. Plaque, the chief characteristic of astherosclerosis, is a result of excessive fat and cholesterol in the diet. Fat and cholesterol also destroy the endothelium's ability to produce nitric oxide. A single high-fat meal has been shown to have a very toxic effect on the endothelium.

Plant-based nutrition, on the other hand, has a beneficial, restorative effect on the endothelium. For one, only plant foods are low in fat and contain zero cholesterol. They also provide a rich supply of L-arginine, an essential amino acid (building block) for nitric oxide production. And only plant foods contain antioxidants and dietary fiber. Antioxidants neutralize "free radicals," harmful chemical byproducts of our body's metabolism, and provide considerable protection against illness and disease, including cancers.

Cardiac expert Dr. Esselsytn says heart disease is like a brush fire—it only continues if you add gasoline (fat and cholesterol). So put the fire out! No more disease promoting foods. Stick with Dr. Esselstyn's dietary guidelines over time and you will have the ability to end, if not reverse, your vascular disease activity.

"Heart disease need never exist and if it does exist, it need never progress." Caldwell B. Esselstyn, Jr., MD