Personal journey and initial findings

• At age 57, despite a lifetime of preventive health practices, significant arterial plaque was found using the CIMT test.
• Emotional struggle upon discovering the plaque and the realization that further lifestyle changes were necessary to prevent worsening conditions or a heart attack.

Key lifestyle changes

1. Diet: Shifted from a low-fat to a low-carb diet. Tested various diets but remained consistently low-carb. This change played a major role in reducing arterial plaque.
2. Exercise: Replaced marathon running with high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and resistance training.
3. Supplements and Medications: Started taking Vitamin D3, K2, niacin, and magnesium. Began using low-dose statins, not to lower cholesterol directly but to manage inflammation.

Medical tests and results

• CIMT tests: Initial test showed artery thickness indicative of a 73-year-old; after one year of lifestyle changes, this reversed to arterial age of 52.
• Glucose Tolerance Test: Revealed significant pre-diabetes, motivating dietary changes.
• Latest CIMT tests: Continued to show improvements, with stable plaque that was mostly calcified, indicating lower risk.

Lessons learned and current status

• Addressing and managing inflammation is crucial; it can stabilize or even reduce arterial plaque.
• Adopting a disciplined low-carb diet and consistent exercise is more impactful than medications, though medications can complement lifestyle changes.
• Continues rigorous testing and monitoring, currently maintaining an arterial age significantly below his actual age.