Want to live longer? Eat more plants.

The Power of Plants

Today, I want to briefly touch on why plant based diets are freaking awesome sources of most, if not all, of your nutritional needs, and how to start eating more of them so you can live a longer, healthier life.

Imagine being able to reverse or eliminate many of your weight and medical issues by simply learning how to improve your nutritional intake. Wouldn’t you want to learn how to do that?

Now, as a society, and increasingly as a planet, we are addicted to meat. And despite tons of studies out there confirming the effectiveness of a plant-based diet, the medical community seems to be ignoring this evidence.

Because of this, chronic disease and obesity is not just on the rise anymore – it has become the new norm in our society.

HOWEVER – with a simple yet profound change in your food intake, your whole world will change.

Types of Vegetarians

There are lacto-ovo vegetarians who eat dairy and eggs. Pescatarians eat fish, but do not eat meat. And vegans eat zero animal products whatsoever. In a study done of the Seventh Day Adventist Church in California, pescatarians were found to live 19% longer than their meat-eating friends, while vegans were found to have lived 15% longer than people who eat meat.

A Few Medical Benefits of A Plant Based Diet

Eating foods what are not derived from animals – think eggs, beef, poultry, diary.

Some people recommend fish, some don’t.

But the point is, less to no meat and dairy means longevity for you and your loved ones.

I recently sat down and spoke with Dr. Tom Harvey. Dr. Tom recommends plant-based diets to most of his patients. Though I’ve read books and have watched a few Netflix documentaries, I’ve never felt comfortable touting the power of plants and their capabilities to reverse and prevent illness…

Until now.

Dr. Tom cited various studies and researchers, including the China study, Dr. Michael Greger, and Dean Ornish. Because we need evidence-based practices so we aren’t just willy-nilly treating our clients.

He discussed that switching to meat free has a number of various effects on your health.

First, it can actually reverse atherosclerosis. This is the buildup of plaque (bad cholesterol) on your arteries which causes heart attacks, strokes, and a whole bunch of other health issues. Unlike the medications used to treat “bad cholesterol,” a plant based diet treats the underlying symptoms and get’s to the root cause of the problem.

Second, eliminating meat and dairy from your diet can reverse diabetes to the point that you no longer need to take insulin or medication! Just let that sink in, considering x million of americans have diabetes.

Third, it can reverse high-blood pressure by up to 80% when combined with a low-salt diet.

Finally, it can reduce your risk of cancer by 40%.

While I recognize the emotional attachment to meat and the deliciousness of dairy, take a step back and simply try it for some time. I guarantee, when you see your lab values and energy improve, your waistband feel less tight, and your body start to look and feel better than it has in years, you’ll be rooted in the concept of eating a plant based diet.

Leave Out The Meat

Now, I’m not here to say that you should stop eating meat and dairy right now, but what I am saying is that for the health of our planet as a whole, drastically reducing our intake of these foods will great improve our present state.

While it’s your choice, it’s my belief that as someone of privilege (privilege meaning I have options at the grocery store) I can select from a variety of food sources to meet my nutritional needs, and you can too.

Let me know what your thoughts are on this!