Reversing Artery Plaque: 8 Supplements Ranked by the Evidence | Simon Hill, MSc

Can a supplement actually reverse the plaque in your arteries, or only slow it down? It is the question I am asked most, and after a 2024 scan revealed early plaque in my own left anterior descending artery, it became a personal one too. This is part two of my three-part series on reversing atherosclerosis. In this solo episode I work through eight of the most popular supplements and rank them by the strength of the human evidence, not the strength of the marketing. What we cover: Why pure EPA has by far the strongest evidence for regressing plaque, and what EVAPORATE, CHERRY, JELIS, and REDUCE-IT showed The REDUCE-IT versus STRENGTH debate, and why the form of omega-3 may matter as much as the dose Aged garlic extract and vitamin K2: what the imaging and calcification data suggest Niacin and the biomarker trap: raising "good" cholesterol without lowering risk Where CoQ10, berberine, nattokinase, and pomegranate extract really sit, plus a fact-check of a popular nattokinase claim My own plan after that scan, and a preview of part three on the pharmaceuticals Only one of these eight has strong evidence behind it, and even then it is a prescription rather than a tub from the supplement aisle. Supplements can be useful additions, but never a replacement for the proven basics. You can see exactly what I take over at my personal supplement stack. If you are enjoying the series, the simplest way to help is to leave a quick rating and review on Apple Podcasts, and to share this episode with someone whose heart health you care about. Can Supplements Actually Reverse Arterial Plaque? (00:00) EVAPORATE Trial: High-Dose EPA Reversed Plaque by 9% (02:09) Why Pure EPA Outperforms Standard Fish Oil (07:22) JELIS to REDUCE-IT: EPA Cuts Cardiac Events by 25% (10:10) REDUCE-IT Controversy and RESPECT-EPA 2024 (13:47) VITAL Trial: Omega-3 for Healthy Adults + 2026 Lp(a) Data (16:51) Aged Garlic Extract: 3 Trials on Plaque and Calcification (20:09) Vitamin K2: Does Redirecting Calcium Lower Heart Risk? (23:17) Niacin Failed: Why Raising HDL Didn't Save Lives (27:50) CoQ10: Promising Mechanism, No Plaque Imaging Proof (33:18) Berberine: The Gut Pathway No Other Supplement Uses (38:21) Nattokinase: One Study Says 36% Drop, One Says Zero (41:16) Pomegranate Extract: Strong Animal Data, Weak Human Trials (49:16) Which Supplements Can Actually Reverse Atherosclerosis? (53:18) Simon's Personal Protocol for Reversing LAD Plaque (55:24) Want to support the show? The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. To check them out and enjoy great savings, visit theproof.com/friends. You can also support the show by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast app and sharing your favourite episodes with friends and family. We'd love your feedback. Complete our quick 2-minute audience survey to help us better understand what content, topics, and guests you enjoy most. Take the survey at voicingchange.media/simon. This episode is brought to you by: 38TERA Consider 38TERA's DMN prebiotic supplement a daily multivitamin for your gut. Formulated by yours truly and gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulsiewicz. Use code THEPROOF for a discount at checkout. 38Tera ships to the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. LMNT Stay hydrated with LMNT. Get a free Sample Pack of LMNT’s most popular drink mix flavours with any purchase at DrinkLMNT.com/SIMON Find your favourite LMNT flavour, or share with a friend. And if you don’t like it? Full refund, no questions asked. LMNT ships to the U.S. and Canada, with sparkling flavors available only in the contiguous U.S. Function Health Take charge of your health with advanced blood testing and personalised insights. Function Health offers a practical way to track key health markers such as cholesterol, blood sugar, and more. Learn more and join at functionhealth.com/simonhill for a $25 credit toward your membership. Only available to those living in the United States. Function Health ships to 48 U.S. states, excluding Rhode Island, Hawai‘i, and Puerto Rico. Momentous My go-to supplement brand for protein and creatine is Momentous. Use code THEPROOF for up to 35% off your first order at livemomentous.com. Momentous ships to many countries worldwide depending on local import regulations. HomeServe Help protect your home systems – and your wallet – with HomeServe against covered repairs. Plans start at just $4.99 a month. Go to HomeServe.com to find the plan that’s right for you. HomeServe is not available everywhere. Most plans range between $4.99 to $11.99 a month your first year. Terms apply on covered repairs. WHOOP Whoop, the most advanced fitness and health wearable available. Your personalised fitness and health coach to recover faster, sleep better, and train smarter. Claim your first month free on join.whoop.com/simon. Whoop ships to 56+ international markets, including the US, Canada, most of Europe, Australia, New Zealand, UAE, Singapore, and parts of Asia. Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons) Creator of theproof.com Host of The Proof with Simon Hill Author of The Proof is in the Plants Subscribe & Connect: YouTube Apple Podcasts Spotify Instagram: @simonhill Twitter: @theproof Facebook: The Proof with Simon Hill Nourish your gut with my Plant-Based Ferments Guide and download my Two-Week Meal Plan.