Don’t Wait: Do THIS NOW to Clean your Arteries

Introduction: A Wake-Up Call at 57

At 57 years old, I thought I was in excellent health. I exercised, ate a balanced diet, and practiced what I preached. So, imagine my shock when a Carotid Intima-Media Thickness (CIMT) test revealed plaque in my arteries. Like most men my age, I assumed I was doing everything right, but the results told a different story. That moment sparked a deep dive into metabolic health and arterial disease, leading me to uncover groundbreaking information about how we can not only stop but even reverse plaque buildup in our arteries.

This blog is a roadmap based on my personal journey, medical research, and years of experience helping others regain control over their heart health. If you’re over 50 and wondering whether your arteries are quietly clogging up, read on. What I discovered may surprise you—and it might just save your life.

Understanding Arterial Plaque: What’s Really Happening in Your Arteries?

Arterial plaque is not just a simple “clog” like grease in a drainpipe. It’s a complex mix of cholesterol, inflammation, dead cells, calcium, and other substances that gradually embed themselves into the walls of your arteries. Unlike a blockage in a plumbing system that can be flushed out, plaque affects the entire arterial wall, making it more rigid and prone to rupture.

What Causes Plaque to Form?

1. High Blood Sugar & Insulin Resistance: If your body isn’t processing carbohydrates properly, your blood sugar and insulin levels spike, irritating artery walls and triggering inflammation. Over time, this leads to the buildup of fatty deposits in the arterial lining, increasing the risk of a heart attack or stroke.
2. Inflammation: Think of your arteries like a road. If potholes form due to wear and tear, your body tries to patch them up with cholesterol and other substances. However, chronic inflammation keeps the repair process going indefinitely, leading to excess plaque accumulation that narrows the arteries and restricts blood flow.
3. Metabolic Dysfunction: Studies now show that 90% of adults have some level of metabolic dysfunction, even if they feel fine. Metabolic dysfunction results in poor energy regulation, increased fat storage, and higher levels of inflammatory markers, all of which contribute to arterial damage and plaque buildup.

The Bigger Picture: Why Cholesterol Alone Isn’t the Enemy

Most doctors focus primarily on cholesterol levels, but they often miss the real underlying problem—metabolic health. Here’s why:

1. Cholesterol is a building block, not the cause. The body uses cholesterol for cellular repair, hormone production, and brain function. It is a critical component of every cell membrane and is necessary for producing vitamin D and key hormones like testosterone and estrogen. High cholesterol alone is not dangerous unless it is part of an inflammatory process.
2. Inflammation is the trigger. The real culprit behind heart disease isn’t just cholesterol—it’s the inflammation that makes cholesterol stick to your artery walls in the first place. Think of cholesterol like firefighters arriving at a burning house. The presence of cholesterol at the site of arterial plaque doesn’t mean it caused the fire—it’s there to repair damage caused by inflammation.
3. Many people with “normal” cholesterol still develop heart disease. That’s because they have underlying insulin resistance, oxidative stress, and chronic inflammation—all of which contribute to arterial damage, even when cholesterol levels appear “fine.” In fact, nearly half of all heart attacks occur in people with normal cholesterol levels. This means that focusing solely on cholesterol numbers ignores the real drivers of cardiovascular disease.
4. The role of small, dense LDL particles. While traditional cholesterol tests measure overall LDL, the size and type of LDL matter far more. Small, dense LDL particles are more likely to get trapped in artery walls and oxidize, leading to plaque formation. Large, fluffy LDL particles, on the other hand, are far less harmful. Standard cholesterol tests don’t differentiate between the two, which is why advanced lipid fractionation tests provide a clearer picture.
5. The influence of blood sugar and insulin. High blood sugar and excessive insulin production damage arteries over time, making them more susceptible to plaque buildup. Chronically elevated insulin levels cause stiffening of the arteries (arterial stiffness), which increases the risk of high blood pressure and heart disease.

Understanding arterial plaque means looking beyond cholesterol and recognizing the role of blood sugar control, insulin resistance, and chronic inflammation in driving heart disease. This shift in perspective is crucial if we want to prevent and even reverse plaque buildup. Instead of blindly lowering cholesterol with medication, a smarter approach involves addressing the root causes of inflammation and metabolic dysfunction.

Why Traditional Testing Misses the Mark

Let me give you the example of my friend Fred.

When he was younger, he used to have annual blood work that always came back “normal.” His doctor would check his total cholesterol, blood pressure, and fasting blood sugar, and when those numbers looked good, he was sent on his way with a clean bill of health. But what he wasn’t told was that these standard tests often fail to detect the earliest signs of arterial disease. Even more alarming, 80-90% of blockages can exist without any noticeable symptoms. Many people assume they are perfectly healthy—until they experience a heart attack or stroke seemingly out of nowhere. And that’s exactly what happened to Fred.

The reality is that most conventional medical testing focuses on symptom detection rather than early disease prevention. By the time a major blockage is identified, the damage has already been accumulating for decades.

The Standard Tests Doctors Use (That Aren’t Enough):

3. Fasting Blood Sugar & A1C – While these tests measure average blood sugar levels, they often miss early signs of insulin resistance, which is a major driver of arterial plaque formation. You can have normal fasting glucose levels but still experience dangerous blood sugar spikes after meals. A more accurate measure of metabolic health is insulin testing—a fasting insulin test can reveal hidden metabolic dysfunction even when glucose levels appear normal.
4. Cholesterol Tests – Doctors have traditionally focused on LDL cholesterol as the main risk factor for heart disease, but research now shows that inflammation and metabolic dysfunction are far more significant drivers of plaque formation than cholesterol alone. Standard tests don’t distinguish between small, dense LDL (which is harmful) and large, fluffy LDL (which is relatively harmless), making them incomplete indicators of cardiovascular risk.
5. Stress Tests – Many assume that if they pass a treadmill stress test, their heart is in great shape. However, stress tests only detect blockages over 70%, meaning smaller but unstable plaques—which cause most heart attacks—go unnoticed. A coronary artery calcium (CAC) scan can provide a better assessment of arterial calcification, while a CIMT scan can identify soft plaque before it hardens.

The Tests That Actually Reveal the Truth:

2. Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) – Unlike a fasting glucose test, the OGTT measures how your body responds to sugar over time. A significant blood sugar spike after drinking a glucose solution can indicate insulin resistance—long before full-blown diabetes develops. Many people with “normal” fasting glucose have severe spikes when challenged with sugar, revealing hidden metabolic dysfunction that would otherwise go unnoticed. Monitoring post-meal glucose levels with a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) can also provide a real-time look at how different foods impact blood sugar stability.
3. CIMT (Carotid Intima-Media Thickness Test) – This non-invasive ultrasound measures the thickness of the carotid artery walls, detecting soft plaque years before it causes symptoms. Unlike traditional calcium scans, which only measure hardened plaque, CIMT can identify active, unstable plaque early on. The presence of thickened arterial walls is often a warning sign that inflammation and metabolic dysfunction are already damaging your cardiovascular system. Regular CIMT scans can track improvements or worsening of arterial health over time, making it a valuable tool for prevention.

3. Inflammation Markers (C-reactive protein, LP-PLA2, MPO) – Chronic inflammation is a silent killer when it comes to heart disease. Testing markers like C-reactive protein (CRP), lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (LP-PLA2), and myeloperoxidase (MPO) can indicate whether arterial inflammation is present—even if cholesterol levels appear normal. High levels of these markers suggest that plaque in the arteries is active and more likely to rupture, leading to heart attacks or strokes. Lowering inflammation through dietary changes, exercise, and targeted supplementation can dramatically reduce cardiovascular risk.

The takeaway? If you’re only getting standard blood work at your annual check-up, you could be completely unaware of the damage happening inside your arteries. These advanced tests provide a much clearer picture of your true heart disease risk—allowing you to take action before it’s too late.

The Real Culprit: Metabolic Health and Insulin Resistance

• Our bodies function like hybrid engines, capable of running on two primary fuels: carbohydrates and fats. When our metabolism is working properly, we can switch between these fuel sources efficiently. However, when metabolic dysfunction sets in, we get stuck in an inefficient mode of constantly burning carbs, which leads to high blood sugar, insulin resistance, and fat storage rather than fat burning.
• Carbs are like pine needles—they ignite quickly, burn fast, and leave behind debris in the form of blood sugar spikes and insulin surges. Over time, this can damage arteries and contribute to plaque formation.
• Fats are like logs—they take longer to ignite but provide steady, sustained energy without the rapid spikes and crashes associated with carbs. When you can efficiently burn fat for fuel, your body maintains better blood sugar control and reduces inflammation.

Signs You Have Metabolic Dysfunction

• Metabolic dysfunction often goes unnoticed because it doesn’t always present obvious symptoms—until significant damage has already been done. Some key warning signs include:
• Cravings for sugar and refined carbs – A sign that your body is stuck in carb-burning mode and struggling to use fat for fuel.
• Fatigue after meals – Indicates that your blood sugar is spiking and crashing, rather than providing sustained energy.

• Difficulty losing weight despite “eating right” – Suggests insulin resistance is preventing your body from properly accessing stored fat.

• High fasting blood sugar (over 90 mg/dL) – Even within the “normal” range, higher fasting glucose levels are often an early indicator of metabolic dysfunction.

• Elevated insulin levels – Chronically high insulin can drive fat storage, inflammation, and arterial plaque formation, even if your blood sugar appears normal.

• Brain fog and difficulty concentrating – Fluctuating blood sugar and poor metabolic health affect cognitive function and energy levels.

• The key to improving metabolic health—and ultimately reversing plaque buildup—is to shift the body into fat-burning mode by controlling blood sugar, reducing insulin spikes, and minimizing inflammation.

How I Reversed My Plaque: The 3-Step Plan

After discovering my plaque, I followed a structured approach to not only stop the damage but actually reduce it.

Step 1: Cut Out the Sugar & Processed Carbs

The first and most crucial step: stop eating the foods that are damaging your arteries!

• Say goodbye to cereal, oatmeal, white bread, and pasta.
• Swap in low-carb vegetables, healthy fats, and lean proteins.
• Watch out for hidden sugars in “healthy” foods like fruit juices and granola bars.

Step 2: Exercise the Right Way

I was already a runner, but I learned that intensity matters more than duration.

• Strength Training: Builds muscle, which improves insulin sensitivity.
• HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training): Helps burn fat and regulate blood sugar better than steady cardio.
• Walking After Meals: Lowers post-meal blood sugar spikes.

Step 3: Address Inflammation with Targeted Supplements

• Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Reduce inflammation and support arterial health.
• Berberine: Helps control blood sugar as effectively as metformin.
• Low-Dose Statins (Only If Necessary): Not for cholesterol, but for reducing inflammation.

The Evidence: My Plaque Actually Reversed

After two years of following this regimen, my CIMT test showed my arterial age dropped by 20 years!

• At 57, my arteries resembled those of a 73-year-old.
• Two years later, my arteries were as healthy as a 53-year-old’s.

This wasn’t a fluke. Many of my patients have seen similar results when they address the real issue—metabolic dysfunction.

The At-Home Metabolic Health Test: Take Control of Your Heart Health

Most people don’t realize they have arterial disease until it’s too late. That’s why I helped develop an at-home metabolic test kit. It gives you 30+ biological markers of your metabolic health, including:

• Blood sugar response (OGTT)
• Grip strength (a major longevity indicator)
• Body fat distribution

The best part? You get a full one-hour consultation with a trained health coach to go over your results.

The Takeaway: Don’t Wait for Symptoms

If I had waited until I “felt” something was wrong, I might not be here to write this blog. Heart disease is silent—until it isn’t. The good news? You have control over your metabolic health.

Your Next Steps:

1. Get Tested – Don’t rely on outdated cholesterol tests. Look at your metabolic health.
2. Fix Your Diet – Cut out sugar and refined carbs before they destroy your arteries.
3. Move More, But Smartly – Focus on strength training and metabolic workouts.
4. Check Inflammation Levels – Addressing inflammation is just as important as lowering blood sugar.

Heart attacks don’t come out of nowhere. They build up over decades of silent damage. The sooner you act, the better your chances of preventing, stopping, and even reversing arterial plaque.

Test. Don’t Guess. Your life depends on it.