Caldwell Esselstyn

Caldwell Esselstyn is an American physician and author who promotes a whole-food, plant-based diet to prevent and treat coronary artery disease.

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Preventive cardiology: The branch of medicine focused on preventing cardiovascular disease and reducing its risks. Esselstyn applies dietary change as a strategy to prevent cardiovascular events.
Cleveland Clinic: A nonprofit academic medical center based in Cleveland, Ohio. Esselstyn conducted his clinical work there and developed his dietary intervention.
Atherosclerosis: A disease in which plaques build up within artery walls, narrowing or obstructing blood flow. It is the underlying arterial process Esselstyn’s program aims to halt or reverse.
Mediterranean diet: A dietary pattern emphasizing vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains, nuts, and unsaturated fats. It is a less restrictive dietary pattern with evidence for cardiovascular benefit.
Coronary artery disease: A condition in which plaque narrows the arteries supplying blood to the heart. This is the disease his dietary program is intended to prevent and treat.
Ann Crile Esselstyn: An American nutrition educator and cookbook author who promotes plant-based eating. She has collaborated with Esselstyn on communicating practical plant-based eating.
Endothelium: The thin layer of cells lining blood vessels and regulating exchange between blood and tissues. Esselstyn emphasizes preserving the endothelium’s capacity to regulate blood flow.
Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension: A dietary pattern designed to lower blood pressure through nutrient-rich foods and reduced sodium. The DASH pattern offers a clinically tested heart-healthy alternative that does not exclude all animal foods.
Whole-food plant-based diet: A dietary pattern centered on minimally processed plant foods and excluding or limiting animal products. This is the central intervention Esselstyn prescribes.
T. Colin Campbell: An American biochemist known for research and advocacy concerning nutrition and chronic disease. Campbell’s nutrition advocacy overlaps with Esselstyn’s emphasis on plant-based diets.