
The Secret Cause of Heart Attacks (Hint: It’s NOT Cholesterol)
Dear Reader,
It’s not every day that a mainstream medical myth is busted by the mainstream itself.
But mark your calendars, folks, because today is that day.
A landmark study has identified the true underlying cause of major cardiovascular events like heart attacks and stroke.
And guess what?
It had nothing to do with cholesterol!
I’ve been saying for years that cholesterol isn’t the killer the majority of the medical community makes it out to be. Millions of Americans are on cholesterol-lowering statins, yet it hasn’t put a dent in heart attacks and strokes.
A full 25 percent of those who have had one cardiovascular event will have ANOTHER within 5 years even though they’re taking a statin drug.
I was beginning to think no one in the mainstream was putting two and two together, but this latest study gives me hope.
This study was published in the New England Journal of Medicine, and it included more than 10,000 people who had a previous heart attack.
The researchers wanted to find out if targeting inflammation – as opposed to cholesterol – would reduce the risk of having another cardiovascular event in the future.
All of the patients in this study had chronically high levels of “high sensitivity C-reactive protein” or hsCRP, which is a standard marker of inflammation.
For the study, the researchers gave the patients an anti-inflammatory drug called canakinumab over a four-year period.
And the results did not disappoint.
Lowering inflammation brought about a 15 percent reduction in the risk of heart attacks and strokes, and a 30 percent reduction in the need for procedures such as bypass surgery and angioplasty.
And the patients who experienced the greatest reductions in hsCRP also experienced the most dramatic benefit: a remarkable 30 percent reduction in their risk of having a second heart attack, stroke, or even dying from a cardiovascular event.
As happy as I am that the mainstream is finally starting to recognize the connection between inflammation and cardiovascular events, I would NOT recommend taking ANY type of drug to lower inflammation levels.
And the good news is, you don’t have to!
Nature has its own anti-inflammatory “wonder drug” – the spice turmeric.
More than 6,000 scientific studies on the compounds in turmeric – namely curcumin – show the anti-inflammatory powers of this flavorful spice.
But whether you’re taking turmeric itself, or a curcumin supplement, make sure you take it with black pepper. The active ingredients in turmeric are poorly absorbed, but adding black pepper makes it 7 times more bioavailable.
If you want to reduce the inflammation in your body, this is hands down one of the best ways to do it.
To a brighter day,
Dr. Richard Gerhauser, M.D.
p.s. I use the hsCRP with my patients to find out if inflammation is a problem, and you can ask your doctor for this simple lab test as well. My cutoff for a healthy CRP is less than 1.

Written By Dr. Richard Gerhauser, M.D.
For years he’s been the trusted doctor for celebrities, world-class athletes, and countless seniors looking to reclaim their health.
And now…for the first time ever… he’s making his medical breakthroughs available to readers all across America.
Dr. Richard Gerhauser, M.D. is one of the most pioneering and innovative minds in medicine today – and he delivers cutting-edge cures each month through his Natural Health Response newsletter.
Natural Health Response readers get full access to Dr. Gerhauser’s protocols for chronic pain… heart disease… diabetes… Alzheimer’s… and even cancer. These are the very same treatments Dr. Gerhauser recommends to his own patients at his practice in Tucson, Arizona.
In addition to being a board-certified medical doctor, Dr. Gerhauser has earned two master’s degrees and has served as a clinical professor at the University of Arizona.
And as a physician at the world-famous Canyon Ranch, Dr. Gerhauser treated celebrities from around the world who paid dearly for the type of next-generation health information he provides Natural Health Response readers each month.
View More Free Articles
How to WIN the Battle of the Bulge
If you’re missing the sun right now, you’re NOT alone. February is prime time for the winter blahs. The holidays are long over. The days are short. And many folks are fighting low energy, irritability, and, maybe most irritating of all, THE MUNCHIES. During the winter doldrums, folks pack on an average of five to...
4 Reasons YOU Should Take a Multivitamin
Do you REALLY need to take a daily multivitamin? Well, that depends on you. If you’re eating an optimal diet of seasonal foods, then a multivitamin may be a waste of money. However, even the best diet may not be enough to obtain the nutrients your body needs. You see, as you age, your body...
Peruvian Hack Boosts Sex Drive
When your health suffers, so does your sex life. As they age, this leaves many folks looking for a little extra “boost” in the bedroom. And there’s nothing wrong with that! In fact, intimacy can IMPROVE your health. Sometimes the issue is with your ability to perform. But all too often, it’s just your desire...
Downing This Drink SHEILDS Your Liver
Yesterday, I warned you about how fast food harms your liver. But even if you’re NOT eating at Mickey D’s regularly, being overweight or diabetic can increase your risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and other deadly liver complications. Your best bet is to quit fast food. And to start eating a more natural,...
THIS Food Sends Liver Disease SOARING
Your liver has a vital job. It filters toxins and other harmful substances out of your blood before passing it along to the rest of your body. That means it’s exposed to ALL the bad stuff you take in. The protection your liver provides for the rest of your body is literally lifesaving. But the...
"Fat Fix" Fights Dry and Flaky Winter Skin
Fat gets a bad rap. But your body NEEDS fat. It helps you absorb key nutrients such as vitamin D. It gives you energy and supports cell function. It even keeps your cholesterol under control. You just need to make sure you’re eating the RIGHT kind. When you choose wisely, fat can protect against heart...
Yes, WHEN You Work Out MATTERS
Some people exercise because they like it. Some do it because they want to look good. Others work out because their life depends on it. This is especially true if you want to reduce your risk of heart disease or stroke. But to get the MOST heart protection from your exercise program, you’ll need to...
Slash Fracture Risk 49%
If you’re over 50, you should know THIS about your bones: If you’re not taking steps to make them stronger, they’re likely getting weaker by the day. That’s because once you pass 50, your bones break down faster than they form. This imbalance can lead to a loss of bone density, the development of osteoporosis,...
The Secret to PREVENTING Melanoma
Melanoma cases have skyrocketed in recent years. With so many folks diligently slathering on sunscreen and staying indoors these days, have you ever wondered why? Well, a recent study identified a key nutrient that can DRAMATICALLY reduce your risk of melanoma—even in high-risk individuals. And this “surprising” discovery happens to highlight a troubling truth… What...