Matthias Rath published a study in 1996 in which 55 patients were scanned using an Ultrafast CT which measures calcium deposits in the artery walls. This was carried out over a year so the growth of the disease could be measured. Then they were given a broad spectrum supplement containing around 30 nutrients to take for a year. Scans were taken at 6 and 12 months.

After the first 6 months, growth was slowed a little. But after 12 months there was a considerable drop in the growth of atherosclerotic plaques. Before nutritional intervention the average growth was 44% a year. One year after intervention, growth had essentially stopped. In some patients, deposits reversed and disappeared. This demonstrates that heart disease is reversible.

Rath designed a supplement to meet four objectives. Firstly the artery wall needed to be stablised. Secondly, muscle tumours needed to be decreased. Thirdly, the stickiness of fat molecules needed to be neutralised. Fourthly, protection needed to be provided via antioxidants.

Stabilise Artery Walls

Artery walls are given stability by the connective tissues. Vitamin C is vital in its production. The amino acids lysine and proline are also required. Supplementation should consist of about 600mg of vitamin C and at least 100mg of each amino acid per day.

Decrease muscle cell tumours

In nutritional deficiency states faulty collagen molecules may be formed by arterial muscle cells. It is important not to run short of vitamins C and E to prevent this.

Neutralize stickiness

The most dangerous fat transport molecules are not LDL cholesterol but a variant called lipoprotein (a). Sticky protein molecules attach to LDLs and accumulate inside artery walls. One aim of nutritional therapy is to neutralise this stickiness and prevent the attachment. The 2 primary nutrients for achieving this are again lysine and proline. By forming a protective layer around lipoprotein (a), further deposition of fatty molecules in the arteries is prevented. Those already deposited can be released, reversing the disease process. Blood levels of lipoprotein (a) can be decreased with high doses of B3 (nicotinic acid) and vitamin C.

Antioxidant protection

Free radicals damage lipoproteins in the bloodstream, as well as tissue in the artery walls. A large number of nutrients and food factors have antioxidant activity and are an important part of any supplement programme.

There is a good chance of preventing further artery damage or even reversing the condition if these four objectives can be met.