Circulation March 2010 PMID 20194883

Dietary intervention to reverse carotid atherosclerosis.

Iris Shai, J David Spence, Dan Schwarzfuchs, Yaakov Henkin, Grace Parraga, Assaf Rudich, Aaron Fenster, Christiane Mallett, Noah Liel-Cohen, Amir Tirosh, Arkady Bolotin, Joachim Thiery, Georg Martin Fiedler, Matthias Blüher, Michael Stumvoll

Mentions

34
Peak: 5 in Aug 2025
across 5 sources since Jan 2019

Extended reach

1,107,078
potential audience

Total likes

21,996

Video views

1,043,874

Mentions per month

Jan 2019 – Nov 2025

Where it's discussed

  • X / Twitter16 posts
  • News8 articles
  • YouTube4 videos
  • Facebook3 posts
  • Reddit3 posts

AI synopsis

What people are saying

Many participants acknowledge that the study shows some potential for dietary changes, such as reducing carbohydrates, to influence vascular health, as seen in posts referencing the 2-year follow-up results. However, some comments question the durability of these effects and call for further research, which reflects a balanced but cautious engagement with the findings, influenced by the careful language and context of the discussion.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions acknowledge the findings that dietary interventions can influence carotid atherosclerosis, though some question the strength or permanence of these effects.

InterestModerate interest

Posts show moderate interest, with some sharing their thoughts and asking for further studies or replication, but overall curiosity remains high.

EngagementModerate engagement

Throughout the discussions, users reference specific studies, question methodologies, and compare results, indicating a decent level of engagement.

ImpactModerate impact

The conversations suggest that the publication could influence thinking about diet and vascular health, though there’s some skepticism about the generalizability.

Abstract in brief

  • The study investigated whether dietary interventions could reverse carotid atherosclerosis and found that over two years, carotid vessel wall volume (VWV) significantly decreased by about 5%, indicating regression, regardless of whether participants followed a low-fat Mediterranean or low-carb diet.
  • Participants who experienced greater regression in carotid atherosclerosis also lost more weight, had larger reductions in systolic blood pressure, and decreased total homocysteine levels, with systolic blood pressure reduction being the most significant predictor of regression.
  • Baseline factors like age, sex, initial weight, blood pressure, and insulin levels were associated with higher carotid VWV, but the key modifiable factor for regression during the study was lowering systolic blood pressure.]

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Gil Carvalho MD PhD
@NutritionMadeS3 · X

Can you reverse heart disease by cutting carbs? I´m only aware of one trial that tried to reverse plaque by reducing carbs in the diet The results are very interesting (if a bit mixed) full video: https://t.co/P9Twm6Jlgb https://t.co/QXbKGf5TUM

Aug 19, 2025 · 24 likes · 27,700 followers View post →
Austin Dudzinski, PharmD, BCACP
@ApoDudz · X

https://t.co/2gAT2FvEqk

Nov 5, 2025 · 11 likes · 1,028 followers View post →
Marcus Goncalves
@MarcusDGon · X

After 2 years of dietary intervention, they observed no increase in mean carotid plaque volume in the low-carbohydrate groups. Was reduced by 5% in all diet arms. DIRECT-Carotid study https://t.co/Kwd8Dp8gkx

Jun 24, 2024 · 6 likes · 3 shares · 2,512 followers View post →
Jakub Lenard
@lenard_jakub · X

@DBelardoMD Stroke and diet is a very interesting topic. I wish these results on reversal of carotid atherosclerosis were replicated https://t.co/ORV65itCeh Have there been any other RCTs?

Apr 13, 2021 · 1 like · 318 followers View post →
Jakub Lenard
@lenard_jakub · X

@DLBHATTMD A bit of misinformation. The study led by prof. Ornish was multifactorial and there was no difference in LDL-C between the groups. The only study on dietary interventions to reverse atherosclerosis was https://t.co/ORV65itCeh

Apr 14, 2020 · 1 like · 318 followers View post →
Nick Krontiris
@nick_krontiris · X

@jsjohnson_mdphd I remember this one https://t.co/L1uYV6vi8T but it's CA only. The protocol you described looks sound so I wouldn't rule out the possibility of me forgeting

Jan 14, 2019 · 18,975 followers View post →

All mentions

Austin Dudzinski, PharmD, BCACP
@ApoDudz · X

https://t.co/2gAT2FvEqk

Nov 5, 2025 · 11 likes · 1,028 followers View post →
Paul Anderson
@PaulAnd37621913 · X

Can you Unclog your Arteries by Cutting Carbs?!? https://t.co/BhzFmOESQl Truth Told Here...

Aug 22, 2025 · 1,708 followers View post →
Andrew Sallee
@Ralph124c · X

Can you Unclog your Arteries by Cutting Carbs?!? https://t.co/x993zoO0mn via @YouTube

Aug 21, 2025 · 8 followers View post →
Karageorgos
@Karageorgos15 · X

Can you Unclog your Arteries by Cutting Carbs?!? https://t.co/EO5AzDsa0V via @YouTube

Aug 20, 2025 · 610 followers View post →
Gil Carvalho MD PhD
@NutritionMadeS3 · X

Can you reverse heart disease by cutting carbs? I´m only aware of one trial that tried to reverse plaque by reducing carbs in the diet The results are very interesting (if a bit mixed) full video: https://t.co/P9Twm6Jlgb https://t.co/QXbKGf5TUM

Aug 19, 2025 · 24 likes · 27,700 followers View post →
가을 남자
@BuuiCharlie7916 · X

경동맥 죽상경화증을 역전시키기 위한 식이요법 개입 https://t.co/bxiHhIuUZc

Apr 3, 2025 · 1,056 followers View post →
Eve Beavers
@espacetimeCO · X

RT @MarcusDGon: After 2 years of dietary intervention, they observed no increase in mean carotid plaque volume in the low-carbohydrate grou…

Jun 24, 2024 · 3 shares · 902 followers View post →
Mind Your Science!
@MindYourSci · X

RT @MarcusDGon: After 2 years of dietary intervention, they observed no increase in mean carotid plaque volume in the low-carbohydrate grou…

Jun 24, 2024 · 3 shares · 133 followers View post →
Andrew Koutnik, Ph.D.
@AKoutnik · X

RT @MarcusDGon: After 2 years of dietary intervention, they observed no increase in mean carotid plaque volume in the low-carbohydrate grou…

Jun 24, 2024 · 3 shares · 7,168 followers View post →
Marcus Goncalves
@MarcusDGon · X

After 2 years of dietary intervention, they observed no increase in mean carotid plaque volume in the low-carbohydrate groups. Was reduced by 5% in all diet arms. DIRECT-Carotid study https://t.co/Kwd8Dp8gkx

Jun 24, 2024 · 6 likes · 3 shares · 2,512 followers View post →
Penguin Dad
@PenguinDad3 · X

@Rendel_Harris @DrAseemMalhotra For example, the study below indicates that weightloss does reverse damage. Where is your link to a study that shows it can be permanent? https://t.co/4PIcCmyKRo

Jun 22, 2023 · 28 followers View post →
Jakub Lenard
@lenard_jakub · X

@DBelardoMD Fortunately, you can reverse atherosclerosis and not bother so much about this risk factor https://t.co/ORV65itCeh I think this is a win-win situation

May 8, 2021 · 318 followers View post →
Jakub Lenard
@lenard_jakub · X

@DBelardoMD Stroke and diet is a very interesting topic. I wish these results on reversal of carotid atherosclerosis were replicated https://t.co/ORV65itCeh Have there been any other RCTs?

Apr 13, 2021 · 1 like · 318 followers View post →
Jakub Lenard
@lenard_jakub · X

@DLBHATTMD A bit of misinformation. The study led by prof. Ornish was multifactorial and there was no difference in LDL-C between the groups. The only study on dietary interventions to reverse atherosclerosis was https://t.co/ORV65itCeh

Apr 14, 2020 · 1 like · 318 followers View post →
Actavis
@ActavisPL · X

@kosik_md @KomenOgel89 Smialo zglaszaj https://t.co/QlA5tmleTU

Jan 27, 2019 · 399 followers View post →
Nick Krontiris
@nick_krontiris · X

@jsjohnson_mdphd I remember this one https://t.co/L1uYV6vi8T but it's CA only. The protocol you described looks sound so I wouldn't rule out the possibility of me forgeting

Jan 14, 2019 · 18,975 followers View post →