Jack Wolfson DO, FACC Board Certified Cardiologist
May 13, 2023
You’re sitting in your doctor’s office, newly diagnosed with coronary artery disease (CAD). As the doctor reaches for a prescription pad, you brace yourself for the inevitable
You’re sitting in your doctor’s office, newly diagnosed with coronary artery disease (CAD). As the doctor reaches for a prescription pad, you brace yourself for the inevitable pharmaceutical treatment. But when you receive the paper, you’re taken aback by what you see. Bold letters proclaim, “YOUR BODY CAN HEAL FROM CAD,” followed by a list of treatment options that don’t involve a single drug or surgical procedure.
While this scenario may not be the everyday experience for most patients dealing with coronary artery disease, it represents the approach taken by the Natural Heart Doctor. We believe that heart disease is not only treatable but also reversible. Intrigued by the unconventional recommendations on that prescription? Read on to discover the details.
11 natural treatment options for coronary artery disease
It might come as a surprise that there are numerous natural approaches to help ease the burden of coronary artery disease. However, by combining these holistic treatments, we unlock a powerful strategy to halt and potentially reverse the progression of this unwelcome health condition.
Nourish the heart with diet and fasting
We live in a world that embraces convenience. America has been dubbed a fast food nation. Unfortunately, that doesn’t bode well for our health, as grab-and-go food is one of the leading causes of heart disease.
Taking a page from the recipe book of our ancient Paleo ancestors, it’s best to embrace a diet that includes:
Organic produce
Grass-fed beef
Organ meats
Wild seafood
Nuts and seeds
Spices and herbs
Focusing on these nutrient-dense foods minimizes the impact of chemical-laden processed foods on our heart health.
In addition to taking an ancestral approach to eating, incorporating fasting into our routine can also aid in healing coronary artery disease. Fasting allows the body to tap into its innate restorative mechanisms, giving our cardiovascular system the time and space it needs to repair itself. For example, a 2023 study found that long-term intermittent fasting improved cardiac outcomes for patients with Covid-19.
Improve gut health
You might be wondering what the gut and the heart have in common. The two seemingly distinct systems are intricately linked. Our gut houses a diverse and vibrant community of microorganisms called the microbiome that plays a pivotal role in our overall health.
This bustling hub of microscopic life is responsible for far more than just digestion. It also influences our immune function, inflammation levels, and even the health of our hearts.
Emerging research suggests that a balanced and thriving gut microbiome can help prevent the development of cardiovascular issues and keep our hearts beating strong.
To cultivate a healthy gut, it’s essential to embrace a diverse organic diet, brimming with prebiotics and probiotic-rich foods. Prebiotics can be found in an array of vegetables, while fermented delights like kimchi, sauerkraut, and coconut kefir serve as fantastic sources of probiotics, nurturing your gut’s health and harmony.
Take evidence-based supplements
Our ancient ancestors were lucky enough to get all their nutrients straight from the food they enjoyed. But, sadly, times have changed. Modern farming has been tough on our soil, robbing it of the essential nutrients it used to provide. To make matters worse, chemicals and toxins used in agriculture today have taken a toll on the quality of our food.
The result? Obtaining all the vitamins and minerals we need from food alone is nearly impossible. Yet, our hearts need these micronutrients to function at their best. Since our diets can no longer provide them in ample amounts, supplements have stepped into the spotlight as a vital ally.
Supplements, as the name suggests, augment the diet. When our bodies strike the perfect balance of nutrients, health and vitality follow suit. Supplements address the root cause of coronary artery disease by providing nutritional support at the cellular level.
It’s important to recognize that not all supplements are created equal. Many companies have tried to capitalize on the lucrative wellness industry. Sadly, most vitamins and minerals are on the market contain artificial ingredients, flavors, and fillers. You must opt for high-quality, organic, gluten-free, and non-GMO supplements. The CAD Complete Support Protocol offers all of this and more.
Embrace an active lifestyle
Science demonstrates that up to 90 percent of heart disease is entirely preventable through diet and lifestyle alone. Old habits die hard, however, and many have wondered if it’s too late to start exercising once CAD has been diagnosed. The answer is no!
Studies reveal that heart disease is entirely reversible. So, if you’re leading a sedentary lifestyle, it’s time to shake things up. It’s not genetics but a lack of physical activity that leads to artery-clogging fatty deposits.
Regular exercise boosts blood flow, reduces blood pressure, and tames inflammation. And don’t worry if you’re not an Olympic athlete – consistency matters most. Over time, regular exercise can actually reduce inflammation, even if intense workouts might cause a temporary spike.
What’s the best exercise for reversing heart disease? The one you love most. Just lace up those sneakers and get your heart pumping. Better yet, take your workout outside and let Mother Nature be your gym – the great outdoors can work wonders for your overall well-being.
Get restorative sleep
It’s well-known that inadequate sleep increases the risk of heart disease, but all the mechanisms by which this happens are unclear. Recently, researchers uncovered a possible connection. It turns out that poor sleep triggers a surge in white blood cells, contributing to the development of artery-narrowing plaques associated with cardiovascular disease.
High-quality sleep is essential for preventing heart disease and keeping the arteries clear and smooth. Aim for 8-9 hours of solid sleep each night, lying down and rising with the sun whenever possible. Remove all distractions from the bedroom, keeping it quiet, dark, and cool.
Up your access to sunshine
More than half of Americans are deficient in vitamin D. This should come as no surprise, as we spend over 90 percent of our time indoors. When we get outside, we lather ourselves in toxic sunscreen to “protect” ourselves from the big, giant ball in the sky.
In reality, we should expose as much of our bare skin to the sun as possible. Sunlight helps the body to make vitamin D and its lesser-known friend, nitric oxide. Nitric oxide is crucial for the health of the inner lining of the arterial wall, called the endothelium.
Physicians should prescribe time in the sunlight instead of medications to treat coronary artery disease. Expose yourself to the sun’s healing rays whenever possible, but avoid burning.
Focus on loving relationships
The relationships that we have in our lives have a much more substantial impact on our hearts than we realize. For example, studies show that toxic relationships increase heart disease risk. Moreover, recent research shows that marital stress is linked to a worsened recovery after having a heart attack.
It’s not just negative relationships that impact the heart, but a lack of dependable relationships. For example, a plethora of research demonstrates a direct association between loneliness, social isolation, and coronary artery disease.
Humans are meant for relationships. Spending time building healthy relationships and community is a reliable natural treatment option for coronary artery disease. Evaluate the relationships in your life, eliminate those that cause you stress, and add more that bring joy and companionship.
Reduce stress
Acute stress serves a biological purpose in our lives. When faced with an immediate danger, we want our sympathetic nervous system to kick in, giving us the strength to overcome. But what happens when stress overstays its welcome, leaving the sympathetic nervous system constantly activated?
Chronic stress wreaks havoc on our bodies, and the cardiovascular system often bears the brunt of the damage. Stress places the body in fight or flight, setting off a cascade of physiological symptoms. As a result, blood pressure, heart rate, and blood sugar all go up. Stress creates a perfect storm within our bodies, setting the stage for arterial plaque to accumulate.
Unfortunately, many of us are so used to constant stress that we’ve grown numb to it. Are you always eating in a rush? Dashing from one task to another? Driving from point A to point B without even realizing how you got there? These are telltale signs that you’re running on overload. Slow down, breathe deeply, connect with the natural world, embrace mindfulness, and let the healing power of laughter remind you that there’s more to life than stress.
Detoxify
If you are doing everything you think you should be doing for your heart and are still dealing with coronary artery disease, toxins are likely to blame. Sadly, we are under siege by a barrage of invisible chemicals.
From mold to heavy metals, pollution to pesticides, household chemicals to beauty products, toxins disrupt our body’s delicate balance, contributing to the development of coronary artery disease.
How do you know if you are in toxin overload? If you are alive, you are. However, some individuals are better able to detoxify naturally than others. The best way to know your chemical load is through heart health testing. The Triple Toxin Test is an excellent place to start, as it analyzes 31 mold mycotoxins, 30 environmental toxins, and over 20 heavy metals.
In the meantime, you can take many proactive steps to protect your heart. Start with choosing only organic food, eliminating items prone to mold mycotoxins. Swap out chemical-laden cleaners and beauty products for more natural alternatives. Consider investing in a medical-grade air purifier and water filtration system. Finally, with every item entering your home and body, ask yourself: “Are there chemicals or toxins in this item?” If so, reconsider.
Minimize electrosmog
You’ve eliminated most toxins, so you are in the clear, right? Not so fast. There’s another invisible problem lurking over our heads: electrosmog. Electromagnetic radiation from Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, radio waves, and microwaves are just as dangerous to our hearts as chemicals. The relentless bombardment of these electrical signals makes our cardiovascular system tired.
You may wonder how we can avoid electrosmog, as it surrounds us everywhere. Start by unplugging from Wi-Fi at night to allow your body to recharge without the constant hum of invisible energy. Consider taking extended breaks from your gadgets and not storing them on your body. Many products help to negate the dangers of electrosmog. For example, the R2L anti-radiation chip substantially reduces exposure to radiation from your cell phone.
Finally, embrace the healing power of nature by grounding yourself in the earth. Get outside in nature and walk barefoot on the ground. Spend time surrounded by mountains, trees, and water. The land was made to combat the electrical forces that surround us daily.
Build a holistic healthcare team
In our efforts to heal an ailing heart, the first person we typically turn to is a cardiologist. After all, they are considered the heart-health experts. But unfortunately, most cardiologists were trained similarly, which is to treat symptoms instead of the cause.
Believe it or not, chiropractors are some of the best heart health experts. A well-trained chiropractor will realign the spine, removing nerve interference to the heart. Moreover, most chiropractors are highly educated in nutrition and holistic health. So let’s think beyond the stethoscope and embrace a holistic approach to healing, giving our hearts the multidimensional care they deserve.
Next Steps
The answers to coronary artery disease lie not in a pill bottle. As is often the case, Mother Nature has a better solution.
If you’re ready to explore these natural treatment options further, we invite you to schedule a complimentary 20-minute consultation with a Natural Heart Doctor health coach or even a virtual second opinion with one of our experienced natural Heart Doctor practitioners. Together, let’s embark on the path to your vibrant, thriving 100 year heart.