Conventional medicine does not know what causes atherosclerosis or how to cure it. Risk factors have been identified that are thought to contribute to the development of atherosclerosis. However, they are only risk factors; they are not causes of the disease. Among them are smoking, obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, physical inactivity, male gender, family history of arterial disease, stress and an anxious and aggressive personality. There are about 200 risk factors – and the list is still growing.

However, the risk factors that people hear the most about are cholesterol and dietary fats. The popular media, doctors, pharmacists, government bodies and the food industry all keep telling us that cholesterol and dietary fats “cause” heart disease and all other manifestations of atherosclerosis. They tell us not to eat natural fats and natural foods containing cholesterol but to replace them with vegetable oils and margarine. They tell us to remove meats and eggs from the diet and replace them with carbohydrates. They initiated and keep promoting a fat paranoia in the population. They use powerful drugs and other procedures to reduce our blood cholesterol. They have been waging a war on cholesterol and fats for the last 40-50 years. Yet, the rates of atherosclerosis and heart disease are still steadily growing. People all over the world are having just as many heart attacks and strokes as before, despite following “heart healthy” diets, exercising and taking “cholesterol pills.” Marginally fewer of us are dying from heart attacks and strokes today because medicine has better ways of saving our lives when it comes to it. But heart disease and other manifestations of atherosclerosis show no signs of declining. All the efforts of our medicine, our governments, our pharmaceutical industry and our food industry are not making any difference whatsoever. The “War on Heart Disease” that they declared decades ago is being lost. So, are we doing something wrong?

This book explains how atherosclerosis develops. It offers information to help every one of us prevent, and even reverse, heart disease in our bodies. In order to clarify these points some myths must be dispelled. These myths have become so ingrained in our society that people do not even question them anymore. Part One explains these myths and how they have been proven to be myths. Part Two explains what atherosclerosis really is and what causes it. Part Three teaches how to prevent atherosclerosis, heart attacks and strokes through diet, exercise, and life style. Part Four describes the role that our gut plays in health but most importantly it includes recipes for main dishes, soups, salads, desserts, fermented foods and good fats for cooking.

Bottom line: if you have heart disease in your family or simply want to prevent heart disease for yourself, this book is a must read. It takes a long time for societies to accept new concepts, especially when there is such an ingrained fear of fats. Thanks to Dr. Campbell-McBride for helping us see the light through a diet to prevent heart disease.