What is the Most Beneficial Kind of Exercise to Reverse Heart Disease?

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• Gerda Cunningham November 21, 2014

  Dr Ornish,
  1) My question is likely being asked by many in regards to your opinion about recent research publications regarding the changes in heart healthy, and general healthy diets. The claims are that refined carbohydrates are causing inflammation (well documented), and are actively involved in the formation of plaques and arterial occlusions, and not necessarily the fat content in foods (except hydrogenated fats). While statins may help after events, they seem to have plenty of side effects of decreased brain function and causing muscle weakness, increasing risks of falls in the elderly. A higher fat diet and lower carb diet appears to be gaining more momentum.
  With great pleasure have I read “The Abascal Way” by Kathy Abascal. She advocates a mostly vegetarian diet, including healthy fats, and reduction or near elimination of refined carbs.
  How does the newer research about foods and diet hold up with your early works and publications on changing heart disease by following a very low fat diet. Some research even seems to indicate that a 10 fat diet is quite unhealthy.
  2) What is the best way to motivate one self and others to make major life changes including diet, exercise and relaxation. Diet and lifestyle are deeply ingrained. The WHO is trying to address the major impact of a worldwide epidemic of obesity with resultant chronic conditions.
  I am looking forward to a response.
  Thanks, Gerda

• Tina Parish November 26, 2014

  Can you tell me what foods are good
  for a healthy brain. I am 68 years old
  and want to continue to have a
  good memory.

  Thanks

• Rachel Lehmann-Haupt December 8, 2014

  Thanks so much for you comment. In his Spectrum book, Dr. Ornish writes:”When you eat a healthier diet, quit smoking, exercise, meditate, and have more love in your life, then your brain receives more blood and oxygen, so you think more clearly, have more energy, need less sleep. Your face gets more blood flow, so your skin glows more and wrinkles less. Your heart gets more blood flow, so you have more stamina and can even begin to reverse heart disease. Your sexual organs receive more blood flow, so you may become more potent—the same way that drugs like Viagra work (without troubling side-effects such as going blind). For many people, these are choices worth making—not just to live longer, but also to live better.”

  One important aspect of brain health is consuming more omega-3 fatty acids.

  He writes: “The omega 3 fatty acids comprise approximately 8 percent of the average human brain, so it’s not surprising that they really are “brain food.” They also may reduce depression and may help reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s and other causes of dementia. Also, some studies suggest that the omega 3 fatty acids may improve your immune function and may also reduce the risk of prostate cancer, breast cancer, and colon cancer.”

  Using more Tumeric is great too.

  Dr. Ornish writes: “In Alzheimer’s disease, plaques called amyloid are deposited in the brain which causes the brain to work poorly—almost like a short-circuit in the brain’s wiring. Researchers at UCLA found that curcumin, one of the most active substances found in turmeric, reduced the number of these plaques by 50 percent. Rats given turmeric also performed better on maze-based memory tests.
  Turmeric also enhances immune function, may reduce your risk of a heart attack, and improves digestion. Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, a recent article in The New England Journal of Medicine reported that scientists are studying curcumin as a possible treatment for cystic fibrosis and to help prevent Alzheimer’s disease. Its anti-inflammatory effects have been shown to be comparable to potent steroids like hydrocortisone without the significant toxic side-effects.”

• Jennifer Ann Madsen December 4, 2014

  I was found to have AFib. in 2009. I had recently gone through an extremely stressful situation and believe that caused my AFib. I have permanent AFib but no underlying heart issues. It’s just a steady irregular beat. I’m taking Warfarin 4 mg. I would have preferred to take aspirin (also helps with arthritis etc.) but most doctors said I needed the Warfarin. A couple of years ago I had a cardio-version AFib. came back. I’ve thought of doing an ablation but from what I’ve heard it will probably come back and also that I’d need to be on another med. for life. If that’s the case why take the risk. I’ve opted to just stay on the Warfarin. I also have pretty severe arthritis and am trying not to have to have knee/hip replacements because of my irregular heartbeat and other reasons. Do you know of any recent developments to cure this AFib apart from ablation and continuous med’s. Thanks for all your good work. Ann

• Rachel Lehmann-Haupt December 8, 2014

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