My ultrasound revealed atherosclerotic plaque. What now?

If your screening ultrasound revealed atherosclerotic arterial disease (shown as “plaque,” or inflammation in your artery wall), you can reverse it.  

If left untreated, plaque that does not heal can rupture, forming a blood clot to cause stroke, dementia, heart attack, kidney failure, and other debilitating events.  These events are treated by standard late stage rescue care with stents and surgery. While waiting for treatment, you may suffer a fatal or life-altering stroke or cardiac arrest. You could also accumulate small strokes resulting in vascular dementia over time.

These disasters can be avoided.

At the CureCenter, we reverse atherosclerotic arterial disease, achieving remission to the point it is considered cured, and no longer a threat.  

We will work with your current primary care provider and specialists who provide standard care. They probably won’t understand all that we do. Even if they do, the system in which they practice limits their ability to offer it.  We always welcome a conversation, especially if they will study this website or read “Healthy Heart Healthy Brain.” Standard care tends to be reactive to symptoms and with procedural intervention, sometimes doing more harm than good.  

Stents can fail, requiring further treatment and high-risk blood thinners to prevent closure of the arteries. The CureCenter will help you get optimal results by creating a personalized lifestyle and medical CurePlan. We help you make changes you can live with. We support progress, not expecting perfection.

We recommend medication and supplements based on documented need and monitor the effects, adjusting as needed.

What does a CureScreen with plaque vs. no plaque look like?

Click here to see a CureScreen with plaque.

Click here to see a CureScreen with no plaque.

Be resilient. Be safe. Request a complimentary Discovery Call with Dr. Backs to get started.

What is Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM). How is it used at the CureCenter?

At The CureCenter, we understand that dealing with diabetes can be an ongoing struggle that comes with a wide range of issues, including:

• Trying to reach A1C goals

• Experiencing low blood sugar 

• Not being able to control highs after eating

• Wondering how food is affecting your blood glucose

• Find the right medication and dosage

This is why we support Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) for our patients with Type 2 Diabetes, prediabetes and those who exhibit chronic inflammation from insulin resistance.

A CGM is a device that continuously measures the levels of glucose in the blood. It works through a small sensor that is inserted through the skin and is connected to a transmitter which sends glucose readings to a receiver or app. It can provide real-time reporting about an individual’s blood-glucose levels.

Insights from these reports make a real difference in the management of our patients with insulin resistance. They help us learn the impact of everyday decisions about diet and exercise and gain insights into the effects of medication changes.

CGM is a very powerful tool to optimally manage and control insulin resistance, one of the most common root causes for arterial disease.

What type of CGM do you use at the CureCenter?

At the CureCenter, we prescribe the devices most available to you. It is a cost-effective alternative to ketone metering and finger sticks for blood glucose monitoring for those who want to reduce their risk of diabetes and other chronic diseases. 

For about $2 per day for 28 days, you can continuously measure your blood glucose response to your food and other behavior choices with a Freestyle Libre CGM.

You will need a prescription for this CGM. If you do not have a diagnosis of diabetes, your insurance will not cover it. However, it is affordable and the benefits of the data are priceless.

Interested in learning more? Request a complementary Discovery Call with Dr. Backs to get started.

What is the difference between a CurePlan and the Ornish Reversal Program?

Years ago, after taking advantage of our CureScreen carotid ultrasound to detect plaque, a patient declined our help. He thought our program was similar to the Ornish Reversal Program, in which he had already been participating. This, however, is not true.

Over the years, we’ve had at least three patients who have compared our program to Ornish. Two of them chose the CureCenter and have shown measurable improvement. The third completed the Ornish Reversal Program with deterioration in his diabetes control. Turns out a whole food plant based diet can have a lot of starch that turns into sugar. He made an appointment to come back to the CureCenter. Sadly, he passed away in his sleep before his appointment.

Our plan is not the same as the Ornish Reversal Program. We think it is a better alternative for most.

What is the Ornish Reversal Program?

The Ornish Reversal Program improves health through lifestyle modifications that prevent or reverse heart disease. Although, on the surface, it sounds similar to the CureCenter’s program, it doesn’t address the role of sweets, starches, and snacks that can be very dangerous to your health.

What are some differences between this program and the CureCenter’s program?

Below is a list of some major differences in philosophy between the Ornish Reversal Program and the CureCenter’s Cureplan:

• CurePlan: Focuses on inflammation as a root cause of atherosclerosis.

• Ornish Program: Barely addresses inflammation.
  

• CurePlan: Encourages plant-focused nutrition and consumption of good fats. Limits sweets, starches, and snacking and promotes Time Restricted Feeding (also known as intermittent fasting). We call it window feeding.

• Ornish Program: Encourages a diet unrestricted in carbohydrates and low in protein and good fats.
  

• CurePlan: Promotes oral health as a priority for arterial health. 

• Ornish Program: No mention of the role of oral inflammatory disease - a driver of arterial inflammation. 
  

• CurePlan: Uses genetic testing to personalize your CurePlan.

• Ornish Program: No personalization based on genetic testing.
  

• CurePlan: Offers simple solutions you can live with and accountability through measurement and feedback. Simple solutions are more sustainable and effective than complex solutions. Measurement is essential for success.

• Ornish Program: Requires strict adherence to a vegetarian diet and 72 hours of class attendance that may be difficult to schedule and complete.

The founder of the Ornish Program has financial relationships with McDonalds and other manufacturers of highly processed, carbohydrate-rich foods. They sell the root cause of Type 2 Diabetes and heart disease, even in their so-called “healthy” options.  

The CureCenter interests align with your interest.  We both benefit from your longevity and improved quality of life for a long healthy relationship.

The Ornish program is full of activity. Your CurePlan is focused on accomplishment. 

You will decide which is a better fit for you and your life.

Click here for further reading on this topic.

Interested in learning more about our CurePlan? Request a complementary Discovery Call with Dr. Backs to get started.