A nutritional supplement program halts the progression of plaque formation in

carotid artery disease

Peter J.E. Verdegem1, Stewart Lonky2, and William Curley3

1
Unicity International, Orem, UT, 2Pacific Palisades, CA, 3Las Vegas, NV

Introduction Carotid artery disease or carotid artery stenosis is a major risk

factor for stroke. Narrowed carotid arteries may block the blood flow to the brain.
Common medical treatment includes carotid endarterectomy, or surgical removal
of the plaque in the carotid. Previous work suggests that a nutritional supplement
program may reduce plaque sizes in arteriosclerosis. This work investigates if
that program can also reduce carotid plaques in carotid artery disease.

Methods Twenty four carotid artery disease patients were followed for a period
of 12 months. Fourteen patients used Cellular Essentials, a dietary supplement
that contains all major vitamins and minerals in adequate levels, a variety of
amino acids, and other phytochemicals. Ten patients were used as a control
group and did not use any supplementation during the trial period. The patients
were evaluated at baseline and after 12 months using carotid ultrasonography.
Statistical analysis was performed on the difference in changes of stenosis
between the two groups after twelve months using Student’s t-tests.

Results The compliance with the supplement program was excellent. The mean
difference in calcification area after 12 months in the supplement user group was
–18.2% vs. +5.5% in the control group. The difference in changes in calcification
area between the two groups was statistically significant (p<0.05).

Conclusion This pilot trial supports the theory that plaque formation in carotid
artery stenosis can be reduced by taking a nutritional supplement program
involving vitamins, minerals, amino acids and phytochemicals. Early intervention
with such a program may reverse the need for surgical procedures.
 A NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENT PROGRAM HALTS THE
PROGRESSION OF PLAQUE FORMATION IN CAROTID ARTERY
DISEASE
Peter J.E. Verdegem, Ph.D.a; Stewart Lonky, MDb; William Curley, MDc

Introduction 100
90
80
70
Atherosclerotic plaques in the 60
carotid, aka carotid artery disease or 50
40
carotid artery stenosis, are an 30
important risk factor for stroke. 20

Cellular Essentials by Unicity has 10

0
been shown to reverse plaque Baseline t=12 months

calcification in cardio vascular Cellular Essentials Calcification area (%)

atherosclerosis.
Cellular Essentials provides a highly
dosed vitamin, mineral and natural
100
antioxidant blend, with a high dose of
vitamin C. 80

. 60 Discussion
Objectives 40

20 mg/dL
Cellular Essentials significantly
reduces the calcification area of
To study the effect of Cellular 0
Baseline t =12 mont hs carotid atherosclerotic plaques.
Essentials in patients with plaques in
Results support the theory that
the carotid artery. Control group Calcification area (%) atherosclerosis is at least partly
caused by chronic vitamin deficiency.
Study design 15.00
Cellular Essentials is a product for
everyone who wants to reduce the
10.00 risk for heart attacks or stroke in a
Controlled study with 24 patients 5.00
natural side-effect free way.
over a period of 12 months. 0.00

Fourteen patients were using -5.00

Cellular Essentials, ten patients

served as matched control group.
-10.00

-15.00
Conclusion
B.L. and Follow-up measurements -20.00
Cellular Essentials by Unicity is a
with carotid ultrasonography. -25.00
Cellular Essentials Control group
powerful natural intervention
Statistical analysis with paired
Change in calcification area (%) ± SEM
strategy to halt or even reverse
Student’s T-test.
atherosclerotic plaque in carotid
arteries, as well as in cardio
Results vascular arteries.

Parameter Unit t=0 ± t=1 year ∆ p-value References

SEM ± SEM
Calcification % 60.4 42.1 – 18.3 p = 0.0037 Rath, et al, Journal of Applied
Cellular Nutrition (1996), 48, 68-78.
Essentials a
group Unicity Int. Orem, UT, USA.
Calcification % 57.0 62.5 + 5.5 n.s. www.makelifebetter.com
b
Control Private practice, Pacific
group Palisades, CA
c
Private practice, Las Vegas,
NV
Parameter Unit Cellular Control ∆ p-value
Essentials
Difference in % – 18.3 + 5.5 23.8 p = 0.002
Calcification