Dr. Blanchet: Extreme Diets and Heart Disease

QUESTION: " I have angina upon exertion.  I have been on the Esselstyn diet with about 90-95% compliance. My numbers are better, but my symptoms have not improved.  I have been told to wait 5 years.  I don't want to put my life on hold any longer.  What are your thoughts?"BASIC ESSELSTYN DIET: Dr. Esselstyn's diet revolves around swearing off much of the typical Western diet. It means halting consumption of all meat, eggs, dairy products, nuts and processed foods. No meat. No organic chicken, no wild fish, no cold cuts. One more thing: You can't even consume oils -- not even olive oil.  Fruit, vegetables (except avocados, which are too fatty), whole grains and legumes. Those are the core of what one can eat. Dr. Esselstyn's argument is that living by the standards of this diet will prevent the onset of heart disease, among other health problems.