Were we wrong about heart disease all this time?
A Plant Based Diet Doesn't Reverse Heart Disease?
Diet is a real area of contention for a lot of people, it can almost feel like tribal warfare at times. Whether you're plant based, keto, paleo, or on any of the other popular eating plans we all want the same thing: to be healthy and to live a long disease-free life.
However, it's come to my attention that people from other eating plans have been questioning the legitimacy of a plant based diet, and even challenging something I thought was universally agreed upon; and that's whether a plant based diet can actually reverse heart disease.
Spoiler alert: yes it does.
The Leading Cause of Death
Heart disease is currently ranked #1 as the leading cause of death in the entirety of the world. Due to this being the most deadly issue facing all of us in every corner of the world, it's important that we get this right.
What is "Heart Disease"?
Heart disease is a term used to describe a host of different ailments that affect the heart, the most common being coronary artery disease. Coronary artery disease occurs when fat and cholesterol build up in the arteries, greatly reducing the amount of blood flow going to the heart. This can lead to fatal heart attacks.
What Causes Heart Disease?
The usual suspects. Smoking, drinking, obesity, diabetes, stress, and an inflammatory diet high in saturated fats and refined sugar.
Plant Based Diets Save the Day
A plant based diet is the ONLY diet that has been shown to have a significant effect in not just combating heart disease, but REVERSING heart disease. Dr. Esselstyn conducted one of the most thorough studies ever done on the ability of plant based dietary principles to reverse heart disease. He followed 198 patients with heart disease over three years and had them transition to a plant based diet to study the effects it would have on their illness. Of the 198 patients 177 adhered to the diet and 21 did not.
The results were incredible.
Of the patients that did not adhere to the diet, 13 of them (62%) experienced adverse cardiac events such as heart attacks or strokes. Of the 177 patients that did adhere to the diet...only one of them experienced adverse cardiac events!
Can you believe that? It's an absolutely incredible testament to the power of a plant based diet for fighting heart disease.
Don't Be Fooled
There are a lot of fad diets out there and people are quick to point to a plant based diet as just another one of these fad diets. I can see why it might look like that to some, but there is a major difference between this and other forms of eating. A plant based diet has, by far, the most scientific data behind it showing how effective it is for reversing disease and extending life.
God Bless,
Mercy Ballard