Dr. Kim Williams, president of the American College of Cardiology and chief of cardiology at Rush University, advocates a plant-based diet. William says, "the most important things are plant-based nutrition, exercise, and weight loss. Most people will succumb to heart disease, diabetes, or hypertension on the standard American diet, which is why heart disease is the biggest killer in America. So the best primary prevention strategy is improved lifestyle. ”
In his article in his Medscape article where he wants to keep the conversation going about the role of diet in reversing and preventing disease he writes, "Wouldn't it be a laudable goal of the American College of Cardiology to put ourselves out of business within a generation or two? We have come a long way in prevention of cardiovascular disease, but we still have a long way to go. Improving our lifestyles with improved diet and exercise will help us get there."
Williams accepts the controversy the article caused but wrote, “The best ideas are ridiculed and violently opposed and ultimately accepted as self-evident. We are still probably in the ridicule stage.”
How does a plant based diet help the heart?
A plant based diet reduces inflammation. Studies suggest it shrinks cholesterol-clogged plaque in your arteries, and in particular restores blood flow to the fine capillary ends. It was Dr Andrew Moulden's contention that the cause of disease was ishemia, restricted blood flow caused by inflammation, which causes cells to die at the capillary ends. In the case of cardiomyopathy, this restricted blood flow leads to heart cell death, and eventually the enlargement of the heart and a downward spiral in health. He believed that by restoring the vitality of the blood, and zeta potential, blood would flow without restriction throughout the body and the body would heal itself, just like any cut or wound heals, when blood flow is restored to it.
Other articles supporting plant based diets;
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3662288/
http://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/halt-heart-disease-with-a-plant-based-oil-free-diet-
Various programs can be used.
http://www.dresselstyn.com/site/
http://ornishspectrum.com/undo-it/
https://www.drmcdougall.com/health/education/free-mcdougall-program/
Transitioning to a different diet requires effort to break old habits and it also requires sourcing new foods. Suggestions include:
- grow your own vegetables, forage for fruits and edible weeds
- shop at Farmers' Markets, the farm gate
- shop at local wholefoods, organic shops
- shop online at various organic shops and order in large quantities for wholesale pricing
- buy in bulk sharing the cost of food with family and friends. Buy grains, rice, flour, quinoa, chickpeas, lentils, nuts and seeds in bulk
- eat fresh foods, pickle, dehydrate or freeze and preserve excess food
- avoid processed foods even organic which often contain excitotoxins, preservatives and colouring
- keep a food diary to look back on
- include good sources of spring water or filtered water free of fluoride
- juice or blend vegetables/fruits
- collect recipes to try
- enjoy the journey
