How about you think about what you just said for a minute. How is this a situation of "nothing to lose"? You are talking about an extremely sick person who, based on the fact that he has extremely advanced heart disease, probably has a lot of difficulty just being there for his family, and trying to put his affairs in order. Do you think he has the time and capacity to go on an "extreme diet" on the strength of "why not"? And if I publish some book which says that hitting oneself on the head with a pillow 100 times will cure heart disease, should he then try that? After all, what has he got to lose, right?
True. Similar to cancer, most people don't consider the fact that the severe constant pain he is in (his heart is starved for oxygen) and the weakness and exhaustion is a severe hindrance.
That and at this point facing the reality of his own impending death, suddenly concerns for your family become paramount. His one daughter is still living at home (although she is 19 so that won't be a long-term issue).
He's a tough guy though, so he really is trying to do all of the above anyway. I think that is why so many believe he cannot die. If willpower was the only thing that mattered he would live forever.
I'm sure that if you read Dr. Esselstyn research with advanced heart disease patients, you wouldn't be comparing it with hitting yourself in the head with a pillow.
Also, I don't know where you got the impression that it's a radical diet. Many people eat, and enjoy eating this way regularly.
