What if I told you that in just one year, you have the power to reverse decades’ worth of damage to your arteries, drastically lower your risk of a heart attack, and reverse the aging process? World-renowned preventive cardiologist Dr. Ford Brewer did exactly that – and today, I’d like to share his secrets with you. Let’s dive in!
As someone committed to personal mastery and helping others live their best lives, I’m always on the lookout for cutting-edge information and expert guidance on optimizing our heart health and emotional well-being. Which is why, in the coming weeks, I’ll be focusing my articles on how to improve heart health from a holistic perspective, taking into consideration the physical, emotional, and spiritual/energetic aspects of the heart.
The Leading Cause of Death Worldwide
In today’s fast-paced, high-stress world, taking care of our hearts has never been more important. Heart disease remains the leading cause of death worldwide, and it’s not just about the physical heart. Our emotional well-being, the effects of space weather and solar activity, and even repressed traumas can all take a toll on our cardiovascular health.
But here’s the good news: You have the power to transform your heart health through simple, daily choices. Whether it’s through nutrition, lifestyle upgrades, emotional healing, or heart coherence practices, small changes can make a big difference over time.
When I came across Dr. Ford Brewer’s remarkable story of reversing 20 years worth of arterial plaque buildup in a single year, I knew I had to share his insights with you. His journey is a testament to the incredible resilience of the human body and the power we have to heal when we give ourselves what we need.
The Wake-Up Call That Changed Everything
At 57 years old, Dr. Brewer thought he was the picture of health. As a preventive medicine specialist who ran marathons and followed a low-fat diet, he assumed his arteries were in tip-top shape. But when he finally got tested, the results shocked him.
Dr. Brewer had the arteries of a 73-year-old man and significant plaque buildup, putting him at serious risk of a heart attack. “It was a gut punch,” he shares vulnerably. “At first, I felt like all my efforts to stay healthy had been wasted.”
But then he had a powerful realization: If he had this much plaque despite his healthy lifestyle, imagine the shape he’d be in if he hadn’t taken such good care of himself. He could have already suffered a heart attack – or worse.
That’s when Dr. Brewer resolved to make some major changes. And the results were nothing short of extraordinary.
The Game-Changing Tests You Need to Know About
The screening test that changed everything for Dr. Brewer is called a CIMT (carotid intima-media thickness test). Unlike standard stress tests, which only measure blood flow, the CIMT uses ultrasound to detect the actual presence and type of plaque in the carotid arteries.
Why is this so important? First, most heart attacks are caused by plaque ruptures, not blockages. Second, the type of plaque matters tremendously. Soft plaques are like volatile pus-filled blisters that can burst, spilling inflammatory gunk and causing clots. Hard, calcified plaques are generally stable and less likely to rupture.
The CIMT can distinguish between the two. But here’s the kicker – Dr. Brewer ALSO did a crucial blood test that pinpointed the root cause of his plaque development. An oral glucose tolerance test revealed his blood sugar was spiking over 160, indicating significant prediabetes.
In other words, like so many of us, Dr. Brewer’s aging metabolism and insulin resistance were silently laying the groundwork for heart disease. And he resolved to do something about it.
The Diet Shift That Reversed 20 Years of Plaque
The single biggest change Dr. Brewer made was ditching the standard low-fat diet and adopting a low-carb, high-healthy-fat approach instead. He completely eliminated processed carbs and grains while embracing nourishing whole foods and healthy fats.
The results speak for themselves. Within one year, Dr. Brewer had reduced his average CIMT from 0.88 mm to 0.67 mm – reversing his arterial age from 73 back to 52. He had essentially wiped out 20 years worth of plaque buildup by pulling out the inflammatory “pus” and stabilizing the plaque with calcium.
As Dr. Brewer puts it: “Removing inflammation makes plaque shrink. Calcium deposits are just biomarkers. They are biomarkers of decreasing inflammation.”
Your 5-Step Action Plan for Cleaning Your Arteries and Reversing Aging
So what’s the key takeaway here? Your body has an incredible capacity to heal when you give it what it needs. By finding out his CIMT and insulin resistance status, then drastically cutting carbs and adding in targeted supplements and exercise, Dr. Brewer essentially reversed 20 years of arterial aging.
You have that same power. While not everyone may be able to reverse plaque, Dr. Brewer firmly believes almost anyone can prevent or stabilize it by:
- Getting a CIMT and glucose tolerance test to assess your status
- Slashing processed carbs and eating a nutrient-dense, whole-foods diet
- Optimizing vitamin D, omega-3s, and other key nutrients
- Prioritizing restorative sleep and stress management
- Engaging in high-intensity exercise and resistance training
In addition to these five actions, I also recommend:
- Practicing heart coherence techniques to reduce stress and improve emotional well-being
- Surrounding yourself with emotionally supportive friends and loved ones
- Spending time in nature, walking barefoot to ground yourself, drinking plenty of water, and getting a fair amount of sunshine each day
Final Thoughts
Dr. Brewer’s story is a powerful reminder that you have the ability to transform your health at any age. By taking a proactive approach, getting the right tests, and making simple lifestyle upgrades, you can prevent and even reverse the damage caused by years of unhealthy lifestyle habits.
But it’s not just about physical health. Taking ownership of your mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being is an essential part of self-care. When you prioritize your own health and happiness, you’re better equipped to show up fully for the people in your life you love the most. As I often remind my clients, you can’t take care of others unless you first take care of yourself.
Small changes can yield big results over time. So take some time today to reflect on how you can start incorporating some of these heart-healthy practices into your daily life so that you can look and feel younger again. You deserve to feel your best so you can make the impact you were born to make!
From my heart to yours,
