Plaque is the stuff of coronary heart disease. It is CONTROLLABLE, it is STOPPABLE, it is REVERSIBLE.
But you must be equipped with the right information on diet, nutritional supplements, and hopefully the avoidance of medication.
This is the blog that accompanies the 
I’ve discussed this question before:
Can aortic valve stenosis be stopped or reversed using a regimen of nutritional supplements?
I had a striking experience this past week. Don has coronary plaque and began the Track Your Plaque program. However, discovery of a murmur led to an echocardiogram that measured his effective aortic valve area at 1.5 cm2. (Normal is between 2.5-3.0 cm2.)
Because of his aortic valve issue, I suggested that, in addition to the 10,000 units of vitamin D required to increase his 25-hydroxy vitamin D level to 70 ng/ml, he also add vitamin K2, 1000 mcg per day, along with elimination of all calcium supplements. (I asked Don to use a K2 supplement that contained both forms, short-acting MK-4 and long-acting MK-7.)
One year later, another echocardiogram: aortic valve area 2.6 cm2–an incredible increase.
This is not supposed to happen. By conventional thinking, aortic valve stenosis can only get worse, never get better. But I’ve now witnessed this in approximately 10% of the people with aortic valve stenosis. The majority just stop getting worse, an occasional person gets worse, while a few, like Don, get better.
Aortic valve stenosis is to the aortic valve as degenerative arthritis is to your knees: A form of wear-and-tear that leads to progressive dysfunction. When the aortic valve becomes stiff enough (i.e., “stenotic”), then it leads to chest pains, lightheadedness or losing consciousness, heart failure, and, eventually, death. Bad problem.
Aortic stenosis typically starts in your 50s with calcification of the valve, getting worse and worse until the calcium makes the valve “leaflets” unable to move. The treatment: a new valve, a major undertaking involving an open heart procedure.
What if taking vitamins D and K2 and avoiding calcium do not just reverse or stop aortic valve stenosis once established, but prevents it in the first place? Tantalizing possibility.
Pressures on my time being what they are, I’ve not had the freedom to put together a prospective study to further examine this fascinating question. But it is definitely worth pursuing.
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My father was just diagnosed with aortic stenosis and I had to go to a friend who is a biochemist to discuss some nutritional options for an 83 year old man. I have used Isotonix supplements or the Nutrametrix line of same product since 1995. Personally I wanted to go in that direction with a scientific mind to talk with. My Dad”s doctor told me he personally uses supplements but was not allowed to direct my father on them. He is basically following a check list. My Dad is a player and I have him on a great regimen. After finding your blog, I am looking to add d with k2 in Isotonix. I have him on an Isotonix Calcium supplement that has d3 in it. Not junk calcium or tums.
http://dwithk2.blogspot.com/
this is my blog and you can go to the bottom of it to see label on the product.
Our next stop is the cardio doc who we were advised would want to replace his aortic valve. I really think that should be a very last resort.
Really, I believe some lifestyle changes and bumping some Isotonix supplements to heavy dosing is a better option.
The key, in my view, for control over aortic stenosis (thought I have not YET published the observations) is:
1) Supplement vitamin D to achieve a 25-hydroxy vitamin D level of 60-70 ng/ml, and
2) Vitamin K2 supplementation to provide 1000 mcg MK-4 or at least 100 mcg MK-7, and
3) Take NO supplemental calcium, as calcium is passive “mortar” that will calcify the aortic valve.
Dr. Davis,
I’m 67, female with CAVD. Heart murmur, dizziness, exhaustion since holidays led to apt with cardiologist resulting in mild aortic stenosis diagnosis in early April.
I have taken Vitamin D3 over last two years after Welcome to Medicare physical showed low levels. I have now added CoQ10. After stumbling upon your blog, I’m now adding 135 mcg K-2 Mk7.
Despite the fact that I’m symptomatic, I’m hoping to avoid heart surgery until the new trans-vascular technique is approved for a wider range of patients. I return to my cardiologist in early August and I will be most interested in comparing new test results against my April numbers–call it a personal clinical trial of one.
A few years ago I observed open heart surgery at a major surgical center in Houston. I vowed I would never have it myself, but here I am now, staring it squarely in the face. I can’t thank you enough for your website. It’s given me a small measure of hope.
Update to my first comment after six months.
After six months of K2/D3, CoQ10, and Niacin supplements, I had my first nuclear stress test at my cardiologist’s office. Photos were picture perfect–strong, well functioning heart. Efficiency percentage was mid 60s in March, but went to 87% in late August. Primary Care physician had difficulty locating murmur that was pronounced in March. I’m now scheduled for a second echocardiogram in early February. That will be the acid test.
Despite excellent test results, I’m still experiencing some fatigue and dizziness, but not nearly so much as when first diagnosed. I remain hopeful that with continued supplement therapy and good eating habits, I’ll be one of the lucky ten percent who experience remission from AS with K2/D3 therapy.
Hi Rita I thought to mention that I’ve been going through the comments here and really appreciate that you are giving us updates of your progress. Hoping for good results for you next round!
Pertaining to myself (aortic valve stenosis and stenosis of the spine) and my wine (parathyroid adenoma (non malignant) on Sinsipar to control without surgery.
If we eliminate calcium supplements (which this makes me consider), can I forget about getting too much in food (I also take buffered Vitamin C, which will be a problem, since I have gastritis).
Also wonder if magnesium, boron & strontium are good or bad to take??????
Last, can you give me a link for natural treatment of parathyroid adenoma. My wife also refuses to take Boniva and her bone density is bad.
Thanks in advance.
Dr. Edwards–
Unfortunately, no data.
You are venturing further into the world of “normalizing” calcium metabolism. I’d like to believe that all this makes sense, as they tend to benefit osteoporosis/osteopenia, and removal of calcium as a supplement is likely a good thing, given its contribution to cardiovascular risk.
But we lack real data on the effects. I will tell you that the vitamin D, however, is very real, having now done this in around 60+ patients.
Dr Davis:
I am a 70 year old slim athletic male with a bicuspid aortic valve that has been stable for about 6 years with echo area measurements showing 1.2 to 1.3 sq cm. When I got my first echo 6 yrs ago I searched published literature and decided to start 200mg MK-7 daily and I take quite a few supplements, including vit D, niacin, and about 3 gms fish oil (EPA+DHA). My cardiologist is surprised to not see a reduction in area, and valve replacement seems to have been put off successfully. This year, however, my ascending aorta was measured at 48 mm by echo, up from 44 (MRI measurement) a year ago. Surgery was recommended, based on the aneurysm, not the valve, but of course both would be done at the same time. A cardiac CT scan was ordered by the potential surgeon and the radiologist report indicated a maximum ascending aortic diameter of 45mm, but the surgeon said he looked at the 3-D CT images and it looked more like 47-48 mm to him. Search for coronary artery plaque indicated all arteries “normal” except for the “1st Obtuse marginal: Tiny focal calcified plaque causing no luminal narrowing” .Beginning January, 2012, I have eliminated wheat and calcium supplements and have actually gone low-carb, high fat, adequate protein to the extent to be in “nutritional ketosis”. Ketones range from 0.5 to 1.9, depending on time of day and whether it is before or after exercize, etc. I feel great! Given that I am “on the boarder line” where surgery is recommended, I have thought about giving this more stringent diet a year to see if the aneurysm shrinks.
My question is this: Some time ago you posted your experience of seeing patients (“Jake”) where diet/supplements contributed to reducing the size of an aneurysm, but I cannot find any follow-up information in your excellent blog (or publications). What is the best diet/supplement regime that would optimize reduction of an aneurysm? If the mechanism for the aortic wall degredation is the same as for artery plaque, then I know your answer because of your writings on this subject. My interest in writing is to determine if there are other dietary or supplement changes I should make that would optimize my chances of improvement in my one-year trial, should I decide to do it. Also, do you agree that nutritional ketosis (which I have no problem staying on) should be advantageous?
Dr. Davis,
I chanced upon your blog while searching for content of MK7 in natto! What a fortuitous discovery for me.
I started taking a Vitamin D3 supplement last year when my level was diagnosed at 20 ng/ml. I took about 3000 IU per day for 9 months and my level rose to 27 ng/ml. I did so using a D3 spray in coconut oil sprayed under my tongue.
Recently, I came across research that D3 supplementation, even in the 2000-3000 IUs a day dosage, without K2 supplementation will cause calcification of arteries and soft-tissues.
Wanted to ask for your input on this:
- How much K2 should I take, especially to reverse calcification? Seems like 100 mcg of MK7 and 1000 mcg of MK4 are common doses.
- Can I take K2 just 2-3 times a week, just to be conservative. How about if I just eat Natto for MK7 and stay away from the supplements?
- Would you still recommend D3 along with K2? If so, what is a safe D3 dose to go with 100 mcg of MK7?
- Is calcification observed in those who were taking Calcium with D3 or it can be seen even without Calcium supplementation? I eat a pretty low-carb, high-fat, decent amount of proteins, less red meat diet. Also, I take no dairy, calcium supplement or calcium fortified foods.
Thanks so much for your time.
Dear Dr.Davis,
I came across your blog by chance and very interested in your opinion regarding valve problems. I would be most grateful if you can advice me on my situation:
I always believed that I have a strong heart as I excercised a lot–swimming and hiking, never expected that the first thing knocked me down is my heart. Starting this year from January, I went to Hospital Emergency 8 times, 4 in Jan, 2 in Feb and 1 in April and anthor 1 in Nov, all because of very fast heartbeat. The first 4 made me hard to breath and thought I was dying. All the blood tests at the hopsital came out normal. However, the ecogram showed that I had moderate aortic valve regurgitation. As meantime I was suffering from gastric problems of not being able to eat much, my heart condition gave me scaring experience of being extreme fatigue, dizzy, chest pain, neck and should pain. Doctors said I do not need to do anything.
Even the fast beat of my heart is getting better recently, constant fatigue and dizziness and neck pain prevents from living a normal life.
I am also scared to see my 4 year ecogram with only “traces of aortic valve regurgitation,” now changed to moderate.
I would likfe to know why my valve degenerate so fast? what can I do to stop the process. After seeing your blog, I bought vitamin D (my level is 43) and K2 (both mk4 and 7), how much dose should I take, will these vitamins alone help stop the degeneration process?
I also considering coming down to see you if you give appointments for consultation.
Thanks for your help!
Holly
by the way, I am 50 years old and have a stressful job.
HOlly
Dr Davis,
Any research on a wheat less diet and lipoproteins and their affects on Aeortic stenosis? If elemenating them will prevent or reverse this condition?
Thank you,
Karen
There are several different causes of aortic stenosis. Congenital (ie bicuspid aortic valve) and rheumatic fever start at younger ages. ASc or sclerosis is a disease of older people, same age risk as ASHD or coronary disease (atherosclerosis) and is nothing more than a variant manisfectation of the same risk factors that causes myocardial infractions., high blood pressure, smoking, obesity, diabetes and lipid disorders from high carb diets or a combination commonly called Metabolic syndrome. All of these risk factors cause coronary artery disease and/or ASc, it is just a crap shoot as to which one may show up first…but, treat both the same. Does that mean Vit D doesn’t work? Of course not, newer studies beginning to show high Vit D levels are Importent in atherosclerosis Ann cancer prevention.