"The high fat American diet is responsible for an epidemic of coronary artery disease. A plant-based diet with less than 10% fat will prevent coronary disease from developing, halt the progress of existing disease, and even reverse the disease in many patients. Given proper support and education, motivated patients with a history of coronary disease can follow this diet and prevent future cardiac events."

"As nuts are a rich source of saturated fats, my preference is no nuts for heart disease patients. That also eliminates peanuts and peanut butter even though peanuts are officially a legume. For those with established heart disease to add more saturated fat that is in nuts is inappropriate. For people with no heart disease who want to eat nuts and avocado and are able to achieve a cholesterol of 150 and LDL of 80 or under without cholesterol lowering drugs, some nuts and avocado are acceptable. Chestnuts are the one nut, very low in fat, it is ok to eat." — Dr Esselstyn

"How many times have I seen a patient who would eat 1 nut? Nuts are highly addictive! And if I ever go on record saying, "Nuts are OK", they're going to be in the glove compartment, they will be in the bathroom, in the kitchen, the dining room, the hallway, the work bench. That's just not what I want for my patients."

"On Page 69 of my book, I have a passage where I say that I do not object to patients who do not have documented cardiovascular disease having nuts. However, once a diagnosis of cardiovascular disease is established, I do not like my patients to have nuts and avocados and additional fat because I have yet to see a single study in the medical literature where someone has patients who were seriously ill with cardiovascular disease and let them have peanut butter, nuts and cashew sauce, and have their disease reversed. I haven't seen that study."

"Omega 3's are essential fatty acids supplied in adequate amounts in people consuming plant based nutrition with plenty of green leafy vegetables. However 1-2 tablespoons of flax seed meal or chia seeds daily is perfectly acceptable. Avoid flax seed oil."

"1 -2 tablespoons of ground flax seeds or chia seeds daily for omega 3 are appropriate for everyone to eat including heart patients, if they wish. Some seeds baked in bread or crackers is acceptable. Just don't eat handfuls."

"Fish oil is not essential. Fish get their omega 3 from plants. Patients on fish oil are also at increased risk for bleeding, and studies now indicate they are of no benefit for heart disease patients."

"It is difficult to be deficient in Omega 3 if eating 1-2 tablespoons of flax seed meal or chia seeds and green leafy vegetables at several meals. There is also research that suggests that those on plant based nutrition become highly efficient in their own manufacture of omega 3."

"Flax seed meal (flax needs to be ground) or Chia seeds are well tolerated and supply a bonus of omega 3 using 1 or 2 tablespoons on cereal daily. Avoid flax seed oil."