Volume 2 Issue 4
Winter 2007 - 2008 Diet & Health - The China Study
An excellent book about diet and health is "The China Study". Author Colin Campbell is a nutrition researcher who summarizes the past 30 years of research, much of it done by him or his colleagues. He shows that rates of cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic illnesses are substantially lower when a plant based diet is consumed. The benefits are present when whole plant foods are eaten, not highly processed cereal flours or sugars.
Chronic disease is increased when higher amounts of animal protein and fats are eaten. The dairy protein casein is particularly likely to cause a problem. For those who are confused by all the conflicting advice about what is the healthiest diet, this book will help you understand the enormous body of high quality research that shows plant foods are healthier.
In addition to promoting a healthy body by eating primarily plant foods, the vegetarian diet reduces the environmental impact of large scale animal production. The waste from large animal producing facilities pollutes the air and water. Large amounts of water, petroleum, corn, fertilizer, antibiotics and growth hormones are used to bring the beef, pork and chicken products to our table. American agricultural policy and the animal meat industries have a large vested interest in continuing the status quo. The only way that meat consumption will decline is if individual consumers make the choice to eat a healthy plant based diet.
The amount of protein necessary for optimum health is considerably less than the average amount eaten by Americans. Eating legumes, vegetables, nuts and seeds will provide all the amino acids and protein needed. The only essential nutrient that is not available in plant foods is Vitamin B12. A B12 supplement should be taken in vegans (those who eat no animal products). The evidence is strong that a whole food plant based diet leads to the best health outcomes.
If you are in need of surgery, nutritional support can reduce complications and speed healing. Nutritional support for surgery has been studied. Severe deficits in nutrition can be identified by standard preoperative blood tests (e.g.-low iron, anemia, low albumin). A comprehensive analysis for nutritional deficiencies is not done routinely in American medicine. A program to boost nutritional status before surgery can pay big dividends. A mineral supplement that contains the essential trace minerals zinc, copper, selenium and manganese will help wound healing. Vitamins C, E, A, pantothenic acid, and thiamine have also been shown to be necessary in the tissue healing process. High dose synthetic vitamins (most commercial vitamins) have shown poor results in numerous studies on health outcomes. I recommend getting vitamins from concentrated food extracts, such as those available from Standard Process.
Since surgical infections can be disastrous, a supplement to boost immune function can be very useful. Congaplex by Standard Process is an immune booster that I recommend.
Smoking is a very serious risk factor for poor wound healing and should be stopped for a week before surgery and during the postoperative healing period. Eating sugar depresses immune function so sugar should be eliminated during the postoperative period.
Numerous studies of bromelain, an enzyme that digests protein, have shown that it lowers swelling, bruising and inflammation associated with surgery and sports injuries. Bromelain pills can be taken orally after surgery.
Eating a diverse diet of whole plant based foods for weeks to months before major surgery is the best way to help your body be able to heal quickly and without complications. It is also the best way to avoid needing many surgeries in the first place.
On A Personal Note
As 2008 begins, I have decided to focus my intention and awareness on compassion and connection. These qualities are expressions of the heart. The world is sorely lacking in compassion as we see war, violence and hatred grow. Each of us can increase compassion and decrease hatred by our own actions and behavior. As Gandhi so wisely said "Let us be the change we want to see in the world."
I am blessed with good health, rewarding work, loyal and supportive friends, thriving children, two beautiful grandsons, a fantastic marriage, a beautiful place to work and live, access to high quality organic food, pure water and opportunity for growth. This is a year of joyous blessings for me. A lot of hard work, tough times, good and bad decisions and willingness to learn and grow have brought me to this place. I wish to share what I have learned so that others can create a life of abundance and vitality. Join with me to make 2008 GREAT in health and happiness!
Join me at the Wellness Connections Wellness Fair Sunday January 27 from 10 – 6 PM at the Regency Palace Event Center, 1600 North Willow Avenue, Fresno. Over 50 vendors of health services and products, hourly speakers and door prizes will be there. $5 in advance and $7.50 at the door, tickets available at my office or Wellness Connections (both at 1233 W. Shaw).
Daniel Blodgett MD