Culture Apothecary with Alex Clark
Episode: Reversing Heart Disease & Cholesterol Lies | Dr. Stephen Hussey, MS, DC
Release Date: February 14, 2025
Introduction to Dr. Stephen Hussey
In this enlightening episode of Culture Apothecary with Alex Clark, host Alex Clark welcomes Dr. Stephen Hussey, a chiropractor who defied the odds by reversing his own heart disease and plaque buildup in his leg. Dr. Hussey shares his transformative journey, insights into the flawed cholesterol-heart disease theory, and alternative approaches to healing.
Personal Health Journey: Overcoming Heart Attack and Leg Plaque
Dr. Hussey begins by recounting his harrowing experience with heart disease. At the age of 34, he suffered a "widowmaker" heart attack—a severe form with only a 12% survival rate outside hospital settings. Despite chronic health issues from childhood, including type 1 diabetes diagnosed at age nine, Dr. Hussey managed not only to survive the heart attack but also to reverse significant plaque buildup in his leg without medications.
“I completely reversed that as well, which they say was impossible, especially for a type 1 diabetic.”
— Dr. Hussey [02:23]
Critique of Conventional Medical Approach
Dr. Hussey offers a strong critique of the traditional medical protocols for heart disease. He highlights the over-reliance on cholesterol-lowering medications and standard hospital diets that he found counterproductive.
“Cholesterol is just something that's reflecting your metabolism.”
— Dr. Hussey [53:23]
He emphasizes that the standard approach—prescribing multiple medications without personalized care—did not align with his body's needs and, in his view, contributed to ongoing health issues.
The Ancel Keys Cholesterol Theory: Origins and Flaws
A significant portion of the discussion delves into the origins of the cholesterol-heart disease link, tracing it back to Ancel Keys and his controversial six-country study in the mid-20th century. Dr. Hussey argues that Keys cherry-picked data to support his hypothesis, ignoring contradictory evidence from a broader set of countries.
“Ancel Keys... came up with what he called his six countries study... he concluded that there was an association between the two.”
— Dr. Hussey [12:50]
He further criticizes the methodological shortcomings of epidemiological studies, which can show correlation but not causation.
The Role of Industries in Shaping Heart Disease Narrative
Dr. Hussey discusses the influence of the pharmaceutical and food industries in promoting the cholesterol theory. He contends that these industries favored the narrative to boost sales of processed foods devoid of saturated fats and cholesterol, as well as cholesterol-lowering drugs like statins.
“They'd rather use the thing that's profitable to them, which is the blood thinning medication, rather than intravenous magnesium, which is not as beneficial or not as profitable to them.”
— Dr. Hussey [06:22]
Dr. Hussey's Reversal Protocol: Diet, Supplements, Infrared Therapy
Contrary to conventional treatments, Dr. Hussey adopted a multifaceted approach to reverse his heart disease:
- Diet: He maintained a low-carbohydrate diet, which is particularly effective for managing type 1 diabetes by stabilizing blood sugars.
- Supplements: While he acknowledges using supplements like magnesium, taurine, serrapeptase, nattokinase, and others, he is uncertain about their individual contributions to his health improvements.
- Infrared Light Therapy: A cornerstone of his protocol, Dr. Hussey credits increased infrared and sunlight exposure for rebuilding structured water in his arteries, enhancing blood flow, and promoting overall cellular health.
- Circadian Rhythm: He emphasizes the importance of setting a proper circadian rhythm to ensure optimal melatonin levels and bodily healing during sleep.
“The only things that changed was I increased my infrared light exposure and sunlight exposure. I did a lot of grounding, and I set my circadian rhythm.”
— Dr. Hussey [34:03]
Alternative Assessments for Heart Disease Risk
Dr. Hussey advocates for more comprehensive assessments beyond standard lipid panels. He suggests monitoring markers such as:
- Triglyceride to HDL Ratio: Aim for a ratio of 1.5 or lower to indicate good metabolic health.
- Fasting Insulin Levels: To gauge insulin resistance.
- Inflammation Markers: High-sensitivity C-reactive protein, myeloperoxidase, and others indicate arterial inflammation.
- Clotting Factors: Fibrinogen and prothrombin levels can assess clotting risks.
“One useful thing you could do is look at a triglyceride to HDL ratio, triglycerides divided by HDL. That number should be 1.5 or lower.”
— Dr. Hussey [52:44]
Specific Advice for Type 1 Diabetics
Dr. Hussey offers tailored advice for individuals with type 1 diabetes, emphasizing the importance of a low-carbohydrate diet to manage insulin needs effectively. He also recommends:
- Infrared Light Exposure: To enhance cellular energy and repair.
- Avoiding Toxins: Reducing exposure to heavy metals and plastics that can damage arteries.
- Optimizing Circadian Rhythm: Ensuring proper sleep patterns for healing and metabolic health.
“My advice to type 1 diabetics would be, as someone who's reversed plaque in an artery, get as much infrared light as you can, stop exposing yourself to toxins... set your circadian rhythm.”
— Dr. Hussey [27:31]
The Importance of Infrared Light and Circadian Rhythm
A pivotal aspect of Dr. Hussey's approach is the utilization of infrared light therapy. He explains how structured water, a gel-like fourth phase of water, plays a crucial role in maintaining arterial health and blood flow. Infrared light promotes the formation of structured water, enhancing the body's natural energy systems.
“Infrared light is the number one thing that builds structured water in the body.”
— Dr. Hussey [30:41]
Additionally, he underscores the significance of maintaining a steady circadian rhythm to facilitate optimal healing and metabolic function.
Re-defining Cholesterol: Debunking Good vs Bad
Challenging the conventional good vs. bad cholesterol dichotomy, Dr. Hussey argues that cholesterol levels are merely reflections of metabolic processes. Higher LDL levels in low-carb diets indicate efficient fatty acid transport, not necessarily increased heart disease risk.
“I would argue not. Cholesterol is just something that's reflecting your metabolism.”
— Dr. Hussey [53:23]
He cites personal experiments and case studies, including one where consuming glucose dramatically reduced LDL levels more effectively than statin drugs, to illustrate the nuanced role of cholesterol in heart health.
Practical Steps for Healing Heart Disease
Dr. Hussey outlines actionable steps for individuals seeking to improve their heart health:
- Increase Infrared Light Exposure: Utilize infrared saunas and light panels to enhance cellular function.
- Adopt a Whole Foods Diet: Focus on whole, unprocessed foods tailored to individual metabolic needs.
- Eat Seasonally: Consuming locally grown, seasonal foods aligns body metabolism with natural light environments.
- Enhance Circadian Rhythm: Maintain consistent sleep patterns and natural light exposure to support bodily healing.
- Avoid Toxins: Reduce exposure to heavy metals, plastics, and other environmental toxins that can harm arterial health.
“I think that since the invention of fluorescent light in the 1950s, which is when heart disease started to skyrocket, we all moved indoors under more artificial light for most of the day.”
— Dr. Hussey [56:08]
Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Dr. Hussey emphasizes the importance of personalized health strategies over standardized medical protocols. By understanding and addressing the root causes of heart disease—such as metabolic health, light exposure, and environmental factors—individuals can take control of their heart health beyond conventional treatments.
For those interested in further exploring Dr. Hussey's methodologies, he encourages visiting his website and engaging with his community for more resources and support.
“You're treating a number, you're not treating a person.”
— Dr. Hussey [56:00]
Resources and Further Information
- Website: resourceyourhealth.com
- Book: Understanding the Heart by Dr. Stephen Hussey
- Social Media: Follow Dr. Hussey on Instagram and X (@DrStephenHussey)
This episode offers a compelling critique of mainstream heart disease treatments and provides innovative, evidence-based alternatives for those seeking to reverse heart disease naturally. Dr. Stephen Hussey's personal journey and professional insights present a valuable perspective for listeners aiming to reclaim their heart health.