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The Power of a Plant-Based Diet
December 12, 2011Welcome to the weekly CVA blog! In it you will find famous quotes, news and commentaries.
- What Our Government Officials Say vs. What They Do
- Famous Quote: Plutarch
- Plant-Based Diets on the Rise
- Bible verse: Psalm 34:14
- The Power of a Healthy Diet
- This Week’s Video: Former Buffalo Bills Player Adopts Dr. Esselstyn’s Diet
1. What our Government Officials Say vs. What They Do
Myplate, the federal food diagram, illustrates what a healthful diet should look like by featuring half of the plate containing fruits and vegetables, about a third with grains, a fifth reserved for protein, and a separate, smaller circle designated for “dairy.” Ironically however, the federal government goes against their very own suggestions of food choices intended to curb increasing rates of obesity and chronic diseases, by subsidizing farmers who grow food for animals that become meat, leading to the wide availability of very cheap animal products that become the bulk of the diet of most Americans. To read the article please visit U.S. touts fruit and vegetables while subsidizing animals that become meat:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/us-touts-fruit-and-vegetables-while-subsidizing-animals-that-become-meat/2011/08/22/gIQATFG5IL_story.htmlIt is a shame that our government contributes so greatly to the ever increasing rates of chronic diseases that bring so much suffering to people. Fortunately, each of us can and should take control of our own health by paying attention to scientific evidence in regards to what is healthy food. Also, our faith and beliefs clearly show that compassionate choices lead to healthful choices.
2. This Week’s Famous Quote
When we clog and cloy our body with flesh, we also render our mind and intellect coarse. When the body’s clogged with unnatural food, the mind becomes confused and dull and loses its cheerfulness. Such minds engage in trivial pursuits, because they lack the clearness and vigor for higher thinking.
~ Plutarch
3. Plant-Based Diets on the Rise
Plant-based diets have been on the news lately thanks to the exposure given by movies, documentaries and celebrities such as Ellen, Dr. Oz and even Bill Clinton. The American Dietetic Association states that vegan diets are "healthful, nutritionally adequate, and may provide health benefits in the prevention and treatment of certain diseases." Many surveys show that vegetarianism and veganism are on the rise. However, it seems that health concerns are the main reason why people who try plant-based diets go back to meat-eating. Fortunately, the growing evidence of the benefits of plant-based diets in preventing and reversing many chronic diseases is helping people put their concerns aside. To read the article, please visit A Healthier Social Climate for the Newest Generations of Vegans?
http://www.cok.net/blog/2011/09/healthier-social-climate-newest-generation-vegansChristians are called to take care of their bodies for they are temples of the Holy Spirit. However, a diet laden with animal products increases the risk of many chronic diseases and brings much misery and pain not only to us but to all Creation. Transition to a plant-based diet on the other hand helps bring healing and reconciliation to God’s Creation.
4. This Week’s Bible Verse
(RSV) Psalm 34:14
Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.
How can we possibly seek peace while causing tremendous unnecessary fear, pain, suffering and death to God's animals and the rest of Creation? We will not know peace until we show compassion and mercy to all creatures.
5. The Power of a Healthy Diet
We seem to be at the mercy of the genes with which we've been born, such as those that predispose some of us to heart disease. However, according to researches in Canada who studied data on more than 27,000 people, diet seems to trump genes. Researchers found that people who had the variant genes known to increase the risk of heat disease but ate lots of raw fruits and vegetables showed no increased heart risk compared with those who had a less healthy diet, who were twice as likely to have a heart attack. Please visit Can Eating Fruits and Veggies Outwit Bad Heart Genes:
http://healthland.time.com/2011/10/12/eating-fruits-and-veggies-may-outwit-bad-heart-genes/#ixzz1bf9sTIv5More great news encouraging people to transition to a plant-base diet! Heart-disease is the number on killer in the US and most people think that being on cholesterol-lowering medications or undergoing heart surgery are somewhat inevitable. Fortunately, we build our own destiny based on the choices we make. Although there are no absolute certainties in life, and certainly not about our health, we can help decrease the risk of many diseases by eating a well-balanced plant-based diet.
6. This Week’s Video: Former Buffalo Bill Player Adopts Dr. Esselstyn’s Diet
Adam Lingner, former Buffalo Bill player from 1987 until his retirement in 1995, had been diagnosed with a clogged artery putting him at risk of a heart attack. Following his stent procedure, Lingner decided to keep his arteries clean by following the plant-based diet recommended by Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn.
To read the article and watch the video please visit Former Buffalo Bill Battles Heart Disease:
http://www.wgrz.com/news/article/141957/37/Former-Buffalo-Bill-Battles-Heart-DiseaseIt’s sad to hear of anyone who battles a disease; however, Mr. Lingner is a good example by showing that many times the alternative to medication or surgery is simply a well-balanced plant-based die, that not only does it help to prevent many chronic diseases but to also reverse them.
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