Are Genes to Blame?
Ms. De La Mora,
Several years ago, my father was diagnosed with heart disease. I am very close to my father and it has been a long, turbulent and terrifying road for everyone who loves him. Doctors have inserted multiple stents, have given him numerous drugs, and he has had frequent medical tests. Now they are considering bypass surgery. I remembered that you are knowledgeable about nutrition and disease prevention, and I wondered about your thoughts. Can diet prevent & reverse disease? I am really worried that this is the beginning of the end and I am equally concerned that I am watching my own destiny unfold. Should I, too, be concerned about this dreadful disease?!
J. L. C. (“Troubled In Toledo”)
Can Diet Really Prevent & Reverse Disease?
Dear Troubled,
I am sorry to hear about your plight and the recent diagnosis of your loved one. I understand that this is a very difficult and stressful time. Your question is a common question: Can diet prevent & reverse disease? There is great news: There is abundant evidence to support the conclusion that plant-based diets have the ability not only to prevent heart disease, but also to reverse years of damage that has been done. There have been many studies that show that plant-based diets continually improve health over time, bathing endothelial cells (which line the blood vessels) in antioxidants, nitric oxide, and other substances that allow the vessels to dilate, repair damage, and increase blood flow. Conversely, unhealthy foods, such as animal products, caffeine, oils, etc., damage endothelial cells, even within minutes of consuming harmful foods. This knowledge is powerful, as even patience with significant blockages and shortened projected lifespans have turned their health around and have lived decades longer because of the power of plants.
The current methods of Cardiology treat the symptoms of heart disease and not the cause, so it stands to reason that this branch of medicine likely will never place full focus on the elimination of the disease. Most health care professional have little-to-no formal education about nutrition. Even if doctors had a better understanding about good nutrition, it is likely that little would change. Most doctors have very busy practices and are likely to assume that most people would prefer to manage disease with medication instead of altering their diets. This is unfortunate because plant-based diets have been shown to possess the power of healing at virtually any stage of disease.
Unfortunately, traditional Western diets are comprised of animal products, processed foods, and the inclusion of added oils, sugar, and salt. Consuming an abundance of these foods often leads to health complications. According to Dr. Lou Color, Professor of Public Health at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, “All males who are 65 and older, and all females who are 70 and older, who have been exposed to the traditional western diet, have cardiovascular disease and should be treated as such.1 But the good news is that this whole disease is not necessary!
You may find great relief in the fact that, in most cases, genes merely act as suggestions. Diseases tend to run in families because family members have similar dietary and lifestyle habits. Nutrition has been shown to determine the outcome of those genes. This means that your genes are not a death sentence! Fortunately, you now have some insight regarding what your genes likely are suggesting and you largely have the power to determine their outcomes. Even at this advanced stage of disease, your loved one still has the power to regain his health.
On this website is a collection of healthy recipes as well as posts of plant-based recipe ideas and links where their recipes can be accessed. In addition, I have created a list of important plant-based resources such as books, cookbooks, and websites that you may wish to save for easy access. The journey to better health has never been easier! Perhaps you would like to share this information with your doctor so that he or she can enjoy this journey with you!
By the way, in 1999, economists Topel and Murphy estimated that, with Cardiology comprising 45 percent of Medicare, eliminating the heart disease epidemic would save the U.S. $40 trillion.2 That is significant! As you can see, a plant-based diet is not only important for optimal health, and the wellbeing of those who care for us, but it is beneficial for the economic wellbeing of the nation as well!
The future is bright! Please keep me posted.
Danica De La Mora
References:
1. Esselstyn, Caldwell B., Cornell University and The Center for Nutrition Studies, Diseases of Affluence, Who Gets Heart Disease?
2. Esselstyn, Caldwell B., Cornell University and The Center for Nutrition Studies, Diseases of Affluence, Maintaining the Covenant of Trust.
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