640: Is Water, Not Cholesterol, the Secret to Preventing Heart Disease? | Dr. Stephen Hussey
Feb 18, 2025
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Dr. Stephen Hussey, a chiropractor and functional medicine expert, challenges the traditional view of cholesterol as the main culprit in heart disease. He emphasizes the crucial role of structured water and its impact on cardiovascular health. Hussey shares his personal journey through a surprising heart attack, advocating for a holistic approach that addresses metabolic health. He also discusses the significance of dietary choices, including bone broth and electrolytes, and the benefits of vitamin D3 K2 for overall wellness.
The podcast challenges the long-held belief that cholesterol is the primary cause of heart disease, emphasizing the role of arterial damage and clotting processes.
Dr. Hussey introduces structured water as a crucial factor for vascular health, creating barriers that prevent harmful substances from affecting artery linings.
The discussion presents a shift in understanding heart function, positioning the heart as a hydraulic ram that promotes blood circulation through vortexing rather than forceful pumping.
Environmental factors, dietary choices, and lifestyle changes are highlighted as essential components for maintaining cardiovascular health and reducing the risk of atherosclerosis.
Deep dives
Challenging the Cholesterol Theory
The podcast discusses the prevalent misconception that high cholesterol is the primary cause of heart disease. It emphasizes that the narrative surrounding cholesterol, particularly influenced by Ancel Keys in the 1950s and 60s, has overshadowed other critical factors, like clotting issues and arterial damage. The speaker argues that many studies backing the cholesterol theory are funded by industries with vested interests in the outcome, which skews public perception. Instead, it advocates for a focus on understanding the broader dynamics at play in heart health, particularly the role of clotting processes.
Understanding Atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis, commonly associated with plaque buildup in arteries, is redefined in the podcast as primarily a response to damage in the artery lining rather than just cholesterol accumulation. The speaker indicates that plaque is largely composed of clotting tissue from the body's response to arterial injury, rather than from lipids settling within the artery. They emphasize that it is the body's inability to heal damaged arteries that leads to complications rather than the mere presence of cholesterol or high lipid levels. Type 2 diabetes is highlighted as a significant risk factor, affecting wound healing and consequently plaque development.
The Role of Structured Water
The podcast introduces the concept of structured water, a gel-like form of water that plays an essential role in protecting artery linings from damage. It explains that structured water creates a barrier that prevents larger substances, such as lipids, from penetrating the artery walls. The speaker mentions that maintaining structured water in the body is critical for optimal vascular health, especially in combatting atherosclerosis. Factors such as infrared light exposure and grounding are discussed as effective methods for increasing structured water in the body.
The Heart's True Function
Contrary to traditional beliefs that the heart is the main pump of blood, the podcast presents the idea that the heart functions more as a hydraulic ram. It explains how this ram is activated by blood flow rather than exerting forceful pressure. The speaker argues that the heart's contractions serve to vortex blood, aiding its circulation rather than solely pumping it, which challenges the conventional understanding of cardiovascular dynamics. This perspective shifts the focus toward the significance of maintaining adequate blood flow through healthy lifestyle practices.
Connecting Environment and Health
The speaker underscores the interplay between environmental factors and cardiovascular health, emphasizing the need for sunlight exposure, grounding, and minimizing exposure to artificial light and wireless signals. They argue that the modern lifestyle, which often disconnects people from nature, has detrimental effects on their health. Attention is drawn to how structured water is affected by EMF and toxins, disrupting the body's capacity to maintain balance and health. The conversation highlights the urgency of reconnecting with natural elements to restore health.
Re-evaluating Diet for Heart Health
Nutrition is discussed in the podcast as a vital aspect of building metabolic health and supporting water structure in the body. The speaker advocates for whole foods and emphasizes the importance of a diet rich in animal proteins, which are considered foundational for maintaining health. While promoting a low-carb or ketogenic diet, they also stress the significance of being mindful about the sources of food and seasonal eating. This holistic view of nutrition aligns with the idea that everything we consume impacts the overall structure and function of water within our bodies.
Reducing Risk Factors for Atherosclerosis
The podcast details various lifestyle changes that can reduce the risk of atherosclerosis, such as controlling inflammation, optimizing metabolic health, and ensuring adequate hydration through structured water. The speaker suggests that conventional wisdom has often overlooked these elements in favor of focusing on lipid levels. They mention the importance of being mindful of cytokines and toxins in the diet as potential disruptors of vascular health. By emphasizing a multi-faceted approach to heart health, the podcast outlines how individuals can proactively improve their cardiovascular wellness.
Therapies for Cardiovascular Health
Potential therapies for enhancing cardiovascular health are also explored, particularly the benefits of grounding and infrared exposure, which can aid in structured water formation. The speaker emphasizes the importance of ensuring clean, mineral-rich water and exposing it to natural light to maximize health benefits. Service-based therapies such as infrared saunas are discussed for their ability to support the body's hydration and energy processes. This aligns with the broader theme of the podcast, which is to counteract the detrimental effects of modern living in favor of techniques that restore balance.
Dr. Steven Hussey is a chiropractor, functional medicine practitioner, speaker, author, and health coach. He specializes in helping people with heart disease, type 1 diabetes, and autoimmune conditions.
