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The Proof · June 29, 2026 · 1h 3m

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

Simon Hill
Show Notes

Simon Hill, host of The Proof, ranks eight popular heart supplements by the strength of the human evidence for reversing arterial plaque. After a 2024 scan revealed early plaque in his own left anterior descending artery, he examined the data behind EPA, standard fish oil, aged garlic extract, vitamin K2, niacin, CoQ10, berberine, nattokinase, and pomegranate extract. Only pure prescription EPA had strong, replicated trial data showing actual plaque regression and reduced cardiac events, while niacin became a classic biomarker trap and the others lacked high‑quality proof. The episode mixes a rigorous look at the trials with his personal decision to focus on the proven basics.

This summary was generated from show notes and public descriptions, not from a full transcript review. Details may contain inaccuracies.

Canon

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Only pure prescription EPA has strong evidence for reversing plaque00:03:43
High‑dose pure eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) is the one supplement with multiple large trials showing it can actually regress arterial plaque and cut cardiac events.
ClaudeChatGPTGemini
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The form of omega‑3 matters: EPA alone outperforms mixed EPA/DHA00:07:27
The reason many standard fish oil supplements fail is that EPA/DHA combinations may blunt the benefit; only pure EPA has consistently shown plaque regression.
ClaudeChatGPTGemini

Curious

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Niacin and the biomarker trap: raising “good” cholesterol without lowering risk
Niacin reliably boosts HDL cholesterol but fails to reduce heart attacks or strokes, a classic example of the biomarker trap.
ClaudeChatGPTGemini

Highlights

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Aged garlic extract may modestly reduce plaque and calcification
Three small human trials hint that aged garlic extract can slow, and perhaps slightly reverse, coronary plaque buildup and calcification.
ClaudeChatGPTGemini
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Vitamin K2 and arterial calcification: limited evidence so far
Vitamin K2’s theoretical role in keeping calcium out of arteries has passionate advocates, but human imaging data remain thin.
ClaudeChatGPTGemini
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CoQ10, berberine, nattokinase, and pomegranate: no strong plaque‑regression evidence
These popular supplements have mechanistic plausibility but lack quality human trials showing they can reverse arterial plaque.
ClaudeChatGPTGemini

Editorial

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Simon’s own plan after his plaque scan
After finding early plaque in his left anterior descending artery, Simon prioritised lifestyle basics and a prescription EPA — not over‑the‑counter supplements.
ClaudeChatGPTGemini

Misc

✧A 2024 calcium scan revealed early plaque in Simon’s own left anterior descending artery, making the topic deeply personal and prompting him to create this three‑part series.
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