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Kirk’s video overview of Dr. Kahn’s interview (4:10 min)
Joel Kahn, MD is a plant-based cardiologist born in Detroit, Michigan. He went to the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor as an undergraduate and for medical school. He did his internal medicine training in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and his cardiology training in Dallas, Texas at Parkland Memorial Hospital for 3 years and then in Kansas City where he did extensive training in angioplasty and stent placement. In 1990 he came back to Michigan and has been
practicing there ever since in interventional and preventive cardiology…(continued below case studies and cardiologist’s interviews…)
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Patient Case Studies of Heart, Stroke, Peripheral Vascular Disease and Diabetes Reversal with Whole Food Plant-Based Approach.
“A Case of Reversing Heart Disease in the Heart of Texas” – An Interview with Ken Stone
Other Physician Interviews on Heart/Vascular Disease Reversal
How to Create a Successful Plant-Based, Diet-Driven, Heart Disease Reversal Program in a Cardiology Setting – An Interview with Kim Williams, MD, Past President, American College of Cardiology
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(continued from above…)
Dr. Kahn became a vegetarian along with his girlfriend (now his wife) after visiting the University of Michigan cafeteria in 1977 because the food “looked” so bad.
When he finished his training in 1990 and went back to Ann Arbor Dean Ornish, MD had just completed his “Lifestyle Heart Trial” which showed you can reverse heart disease by a plant-based diet. For years after he practiced both traditional cardiology and incorporated plant-based diets and nutrition.
In his practice he takes an hour for an initial office visit and shows books and studies by Doctors Ornish and Esselstyn to his patients. He shares with his patients Dr. Ornish’s findings that angina attacks went away in 91% of subjects in the 3 weeks following his program. The documentary film “Forks Over Knives” (2011) is a must watch for his new patients and he used to write a prescription for patients to see it. The “China Study“ and “Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease” are also recommended reading. He recommends his patients go to PlantricianProject.Org to find plant-based physicians and resources(Plantrician Quick Start Guide).
He recommends to some patients when trying to get started to sign up for a vegan meal delivery service such as 22 Days Nutrition, Veestro and Plant Pure Nation and resources at Forks Over Knives.
He also started a plant-based support group at a local hospital that meets for plant-based potlucks and lectures that has grown to 2000 members in the Detroit area.
He uses advanced prognostic and diagnostic technology and biochemical assessment along with his plant-based approach in his cardiology practice which includes nutrition, inflammatory and genetic markers, and he personalizes his cardiac care in addition to his vegan diet recommendations. He uses nutritional supplements along with advance testing for endothelial function, arterial stiffness and carotid atherosclerosis.
He will use almost any modality that reverses heart disease. He personally uses and encourages a plant-based diet generally low in added oils. He “meets” people where they are with their nutrition knowledge and beliefs.
Dr. Vogel, his mentor, studied the Mediterranean Diet and found fruit, vegetables, whole grains and fish to be “artery friendly.” Olive oil can caused some deterioration in artery function but the data from studies is mixed. Olive oil plus red wine is artery “neutral.” He personally eats a very low oil diet. With obesity and diabetes he keeps oils low in his patients. He is not supportive of the use of coconut oil. He measures RBCs fatty acids in some patients. Vegan and non-vegans are low in omega 3 fatty acids frequently.
He encourages two tablespoons of ground flaxseed and eating walnuts and green leafy vegetables for omega-3 fats.
Non-vegans are low in omega-3 fatty acids as well.
He recommends vitamin B12 for vegans.
He uses CoQ10 for all his statin using patients. CoQ10 is protective in statin patients against side effects including muscle pain and cognition issues induced by statins. Sometime he uses low dose statins every other day or every 3rd day.
He has seen CoQ10 have dramatic benefit in congestive heart failure patients.
He encourages stress management which can lower cholesterol. Natural cholesterol lowering can be achieved sometimes with turmeric, policosanol, niacin and red yeast rice.
Vitamin K2, gotu kola and aged garlic extract have been show to reverse heart disease.
He measures TMAO in meat eaters to see if it is elevated. He finds it elevated in fish and fish oil users as well.
Carotid artery disease is low in vegans who consume small amounts of oil.
Dr. Joel Kahn eats…
In the morning chia pudding with blue berries and spices (lots). His uses a NutriBullet but does not over blend. He still “chews” his food because it may help make nitric oxide. He brings his lunch every day in a glass container. He eats bean bowls, fruit or leftovers from his restaurant. He doesn’t use many food bars. Hasn’t found a vegan one he likes.
He owns a full service restaurant and bar, The GreenSpace Cafe. His restaurant has 35 entrees. It is doing well (GreenSpace facebook).
He closes by saying veganism is “macho.” Erectile dysfunction and maintaining sexual health is enhanced on a vegan diet because of maintaining blood flow and enhancing erections. It’s “manly” to care for the environment and animals.
He has eaten vegan all over the world and looks forward to the challenge of finding side dishes. He finds vegan restaurants around the world with the HappyCow.com App.
He believes a 70-80% reduction in hearts disease and diabetes could be achieved with a plant-based diet change on a global level.
Joel Kahn, MD, Director of the Kahn Center for Cardiac Longevity, Author of The Whole Heart Solution and Dead Execs Don’t Get Bonuses, Owner, GreenSpace Café, (GreenSpace Facebook) 4050 West Maple Road, Suite 108, Bloomfield Township, MI 48301 Office 248-731-7412
Be and Stay Well,
Kirk
You may call Kirk Hamilton PA-C Monday thru Friday 8-9 a.m. PST at 916-489-4400 for brief medical questions at Health Associates Medical Group. (for information about Health Associates go to KwikerMedical.com)
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