How did this idea get started? I am not even sure what form this info site will take.

I saw a TV show six months ago about a medical study that proved a “cure” for heart disease. It covered the medical study started in 1985 by Dr. Esselstyn and his book Preventing and Reversing Heart Disease.

I remembered that a classmate of mine, Rusty Wailes died of a heart attack while rowing with a four man crew on Lake Washington in Seattle. Wailes was on the Yale 1956 gold medal winning eight-man rowing team. And Jim Fixx died of a heart attack running a marathon. Then my friend Johnny Hughes (a very fit bicycle rider) had to have a bypass operation. His arteries were blocked and he was near death—at least according to the doctors. This all proved that being fit doesn’t prevent heart disease.

All the male members of my family have died of heart disease. My younger brother had a quadruple bypass at age 50. Then died ten years later (as warned by his doctors) of heart failure.

So, even though I think I’m very fit, I wanted to have the tests run, including what I call the “gold standard,” an angiogram. This test showed partial blockage of my arteries. But I wasn’t in such bad shape yet for heart surgery. My heart surgeon (salivating with the thought) said he would be ready when the blockage got worse.

Dr. Esselstyn’s book gave the answer. His diet of Plant Food saved 18 dead end patients from dying and reversed some of the blockage in arteries. (Note: I found out later that Dr. Esselstyn was also on the gold medal rowing team from Yale.) So I started on this diet six months ago. It hasn’t been easy, but tomorrow (February 1) I will get the results of a blood test.

I told Dr. Kelly that he probably doesn’t get my complaint often: (Just so you know, I am 75 years old). Since I’ve been taking Pravastatin (a drug to lower my cholesterol), my strong-leg muscle starts to give out after riding 40 miles. So, hoping that this new diet alone would lower my cholesterol, I quit taking all drugs on January 1.

My goal is to get my total cholesterol down below 150. The blood test I just had done shows cholesterol at 151. I’m almost there. I will probably go back to Pravastatin (10 mg).

There are many people who wanted to know more about this diet—and to share their experiences. Our Diet Warriors site will do this. I will include anyone who asks.

I plan to present three blogs each week. One of these may be a really good recipe.