Completely Off Topic - Dr Dean Ornish

I think that the Ornish diet, while difficult, should be doable. Once you're on it awhile, with support from the Ornish organization, it will become easier because it is a habit. There are a lot of things we think we can't do, but have made no serious effort. I hope you will give us regular updates about how it's going.

My dad followed Ornish for several years (this was back in the late 80's, pre-statins) and it was anti-inflammatory for him. His prior diet was pretty bad, also he smoked, didn't exercise or handle stress particularly well. However, he later did even better on a low carb eating plan using whole foods, similar to Paleo.

For both Ornish and the low carb eating plans, he was exercising regularly, stopped smoking, and addressed the stress. The exercise was an hour of brisk walking. He would have done even better if he'd added some weight training.

Anyway, get a baseline CAC, and fasting insulin and hs-crp and keep an eye on your blood sugar. Ideally, using a CGM or glucose meter to check pre and post-prandial for awhile to be sure that your A1c is accurate. The Blood Sugar 101 site is helpful. Muscle mass will help manage your blood sugar and blood sugar is the big heart disease risk. Heart disease risk rises at an A1c of 5.6. best wishes and good luck finding the right eating plan for you! https://www.diabetesincontrol.com/easd-elevated-hba1c-associated-with-nonfatal-cvd-even-in-nondiabetics/