Yeah I've had shall we say an eye opening journey as well. My seemingly routine eye exam in April 2021 revealed concerning cholesterol deposits, prompting me to eliminate dairy and red meat from my diet, leading to substantial weight loss.
However, subsequent testing in October showed alarmingly high cholesterol levels, with my doctor prescribing a lifetime of expensive statins, so I instead researched plant-based solutions, finding inspiration in Dr. Esselstyn's Ted Talk and book extolling the benefits of removing all animal products.
I immediately adopted an oil free whole food plant-based diet, supplement regimen, and morning tea ritual, while also incorporating daily exercise and spiritual exploration, resulting in a remarkable cholesterol reversal and 40-pound weight loss that I've maintained for over three years now.
I am so thrilled to hear your story! It's inspiring to talk directly to someone who has done exactly what I am now doing. Thank you thank you. It's been a plant based morning, as I've been printing up recipes and ideas to try. Did you eat nuts or not? Essie says no nuts when you're trying to reverse CAD, and that might be the toughest part for me.
I love that spiritual exploration and a morning tea ritual were a part of your transformation. That's truly "whole" istic, what you've done. A morning tea ritual is a really serene sounding notion. I'm so happy for you!
As for nuts, I initially followed a strict no-nuts regimen as well, inspired by Essie's guidance, but with my doctor's advice, I've slowly reintroduced small amounts of nuts and avocado back into my diet. It’s been a balance, and I think everyone’s body responds differently, so it’s great that you're mindful of what works best for you.
I’ve also found a ton of value in the resources from the Physician's Committee—Dr. Barnard’s work on YouTube has been particularly helpful.
I’ve also incorporated some daily practices that feel both nourishing and grounding. I start my mornings with a tea made from ginger powder, cinnamon powder, lemon juice, and hot water—so simple, yet it feels like such a powerful start to the day. I also take a homemade mix of Neem powder, Amla powder, ginger, and turmeric powder in vegan capsules—three a day with my tea. It has been a holistic approach for me. Wishing you all the best! 🌱
Actually, we have a very great deal more control over our genes than we think. I mean we're born with what we're born with, but not every gene we have is active. Genes have to "turn on" to express, and we've already learned through peer reviewed studies that lifestyle factors can turn genes on and off.
Now, I don't know of any specific study on the familial hypercholesterolemia gene being active or dormant in response to environmental exposures, diet, and lifestyle, (because who's going to pay for that? Certainly not big Pharma.) But it seems to me the chances are pretty good that if I can turn BRCA1 and BRCA2 on and off again with lifestyle, which we know for sure we can, then I can turn off this baby, as well. If I even have it.
My gut feeling is that if I had the gene, and if the gene was unresponsive to lifestyle changes, then my numbers would have been far higher than they were when I started, and that I would not have been able to get them down as much as I already have.
What I've been doing HAS been working. I lowered my BP and got off meds, I've eliminated PSVT and dropped 35 lbs. A half dozen other issues have been eradicated by the diet and lifestyle changes I have already made, even with my cheats.
I'll have numbers in a few weeks. Wait and see.
When people have a health issue, and are told they're powerless against their genes, they don't even try. There's EVERYTHING we can do. Everything. Even if we have a "bad" gene, there are tons of things we can do to mitigate the harm it does or whether it even expresses at all.
This area of study, epigenetics, is still in its infancy. We are only beginning to scratch the surface of how much influence lifestyle has on our genes. It's a fascinating subject.
I'm sorry that you received such disturbing news and I hope that what you're doing will work well for you. But, along with the food you eat causing those changes, you also have to remember that genetics plays a part in it also and nothing helps to completely change that.
OTOH, congrats on your new book. Although I have my copy, I haven't had a chance to read it yet but plan on doing so shortly.
I'll be waiting for new recipes and updated news after your tests and some time with your improved eating and exercising.
Damn! Same thing just happened to me and I've mimicked your lifestyle. Aafter getting the gift of Parkinson's and three different types of the big 'C', one of them fourteen times since 1990, when my CT showed that with the only organ in my body that was functioning rather perfectly I too went, 'Oh shit!'
First, good for you for doing as much as you have. You've absolutely improved your health in multiple ways, reducing BP and inflammation markers, bathing your cells in antioxidants, healing, rebalancing. This journey is a bit of an evolution for some of us. I feel like I keep leveling up bit by bit, backsliding a little, leveling up again further this time, lather rinse repeat.
Where I've landed, at the moment, is that if I'm not doing it 100% I'm not doing it right.
I think starting after there's already arterial plaque was my bonehead move.
My second takeaway is that, even though Dr. Esselstyn didn't make his patients add in exercise (to keep the study simpler) I believe a lot of them added it on their own as they felt better and better. And I know for sure I slack off on exercise when I start feeling worse, and the slacking makes me feel even worse, and that's a downward spiral.
Finally, I think daily meditation is helpful, and as life has got busier, I've also let my practice slide in that area. So I'm going to make sure I get that in too.
And by the time I get to the blood draw in a month from now, I'll know for sure.
This is harder. Every day I discover another way in which I wasn't quite on point, and fine tune it. And getting in 5 or 6 servings of green leafies and cruciferous daily is a real challenge. I can barely keep enough in the house for the week, but again, just adjusting as I go will be fine. I'm getting at least four servings every day, though, and most days, I get four & a half to five. I bought lots of frozen broccoli & cauliflower and a dozen cans of spinach (in addition to all the raw I keep stocked) to help out when I need a quick grab & go.
Yesterday I made Aloo Gobi, or cauliflower curry. I made it just a tad too spicy for me, and not quite 100% yet, so I'll keep tweaking til I love it, then share the recipe when it's finalized. I'd had it out somewhere and it was delish. Of course "out somewhere" they cook the veggies in oil and even add oil to the tomato sauce. (So many many recipes have so much unnecessary oil! I mean, why pour it into the sauce?)
Anyway, if I can improve things I will, and I'll know in four weeks, give or take. I'm kind of excited for the challenge, and moving up the next level.
Let me know what you decide to do. I care a lot, which is why this blog exists. I really recommend the book, Prevent & Reverse Heart Disease. But I don't blame you if you want to wait a month and see how I do. :)
I thought that I was doing better than I was. "A few little cheats here and there" add up over time.
In nutrition classes, one of the golden rules is "There are no good or bad foods." I call shenanigans on that. There are foods that heal,, and there are foods that harm. Oil harms.
Hugs! Let me know how you are doing, and how you decide to address this.
I learned long ago that Parkinson's would not kill me, something else would. Got a great Neurologist. Found out the secrete, "Keep Moving!". No, I'm not doing it one hundred percent either, but I am doing it every chance I get. On the really bad days I remember the advice my old family doctor and best friend said, "If you are having a really bad day, just get up, go outside, walk ten minutes one way and then back. You will have done something." I believe our biggest problem when faced with 'interesting issues', as my neurologist calls them, is we get too tough on ourselves.
Yeah I've had shall we say an eye opening journey as well. My seemingly routine eye exam in April 2021 revealed concerning cholesterol deposits, prompting me to eliminate dairy and red meat from my diet, leading to substantial weight loss.
However, subsequent testing in October showed alarmingly high cholesterol levels, with my doctor prescribing a lifetime of expensive statins, so I instead researched plant-based solutions, finding inspiration in Dr. Esselstyn's Ted Talk and book extolling the benefits of removing all animal products.
I immediately adopted an oil free whole food plant-based diet, supplement regimen, and morning tea ritual, while also incorporating daily exercise and spiritual exploration, resulting in a remarkable cholesterol reversal and 40-pound weight loss that I've maintained for over three years now.
I am so thrilled to hear your story! It's inspiring to talk directly to someone who has done exactly what I am now doing. Thank you thank you. It's been a plant based morning, as I've been printing up recipes and ideas to try. Did you eat nuts or not? Essie says no nuts when you're trying to reverse CAD, and that might be the toughest part for me.
I love that spiritual exploration and a morning tea ritual were a part of your transformation. That's truly "whole" istic, what you've done. A morning tea ritual is a really serene sounding notion. I'm so happy for you!
Maggie
Hi Maggie, thank you so much for your kind words!
As for nuts, I initially followed a strict no-nuts regimen as well, inspired by Essie's guidance, but with my doctor's advice, I've slowly reintroduced small amounts of nuts and avocado back into my diet. It’s been a balance, and I think everyone’s body responds differently, so it’s great that you're mindful of what works best for you.
I’ve also found a ton of value in the resources from the Physician's Committee—Dr. Barnard’s work on YouTube has been particularly helpful.
I’ve also incorporated some daily practices that feel both nourishing and grounding. I start my mornings with a tea made from ginger powder, cinnamon powder, lemon juice, and hot water—so simple, yet it feels like such a powerful start to the day. I also take a homemade mix of Neem powder, Amla powder, ginger, and turmeric powder in vegan capsules—three a day with my tea. It has been a holistic approach for me. Wishing you all the best! 🌱
Actually, we have a very great deal more control over our genes than we think. I mean we're born with what we're born with, but not every gene we have is active. Genes have to "turn on" to express, and we've already learned through peer reviewed studies that lifestyle factors can turn genes on and off.
Now, I don't know of any specific study on the familial hypercholesterolemia gene being active or dormant in response to environmental exposures, diet, and lifestyle, (because who's going to pay for that? Certainly not big Pharma.) But it seems to me the chances are pretty good that if I can turn BRCA1 and BRCA2 on and off again with lifestyle, which we know for sure we can, then I can turn off this baby, as well. If I even have it.
My gut feeling is that if I had the gene, and if the gene was unresponsive to lifestyle changes, then my numbers would have been far higher than they were when I started, and that I would not have been able to get them down as much as I already have.
What I've been doing HAS been working. I lowered my BP and got off meds, I've eliminated PSVT and dropped 35 lbs. A half dozen other issues have been eradicated by the diet and lifestyle changes I have already made, even with my cheats.
I'll have numbers in a few weeks. Wait and see.
When people have a health issue, and are told they're powerless against their genes, they don't even try. There's EVERYTHING we can do. Everything. Even if we have a "bad" gene, there are tons of things we can do to mitigate the harm it does or whether it even expresses at all.
This area of study, epigenetics, is still in its infancy. We are only beginning to scratch the surface of how much influence lifestyle has on our genes. It's a fascinating subject.
I'm putting it to the test, for sure.
Maggie,
I'm sorry that you received such disturbing news and I hope that what you're doing will work well for you. But, along with the food you eat causing those changes, you also have to remember that genetics plays a part in it also and nothing helps to completely change that.
OTOH, congrats on your new book. Although I have my copy, I haven't had a chance to read it yet but plan on doing so shortly.
I'll be waiting for new recipes and updated news after your tests and some time with your improved eating and exercising.
Damn! Same thing just happened to me and I've mimicked your lifestyle. Aafter getting the gift of Parkinson's and three different types of the big 'C', one of them fourteen times since 1990, when my CT showed that with the only organ in my body that was functioning rather perfectly I too went, 'Oh shit!'
First, good for you for doing as much as you have. You've absolutely improved your health in multiple ways, reducing BP and inflammation markers, bathing your cells in antioxidants, healing, rebalancing. This journey is a bit of an evolution for some of us. I feel like I keep leveling up bit by bit, backsliding a little, leveling up again further this time, lather rinse repeat.
Where I've landed, at the moment, is that if I'm not doing it 100% I'm not doing it right.
I think starting after there's already arterial plaque was my bonehead move.
My second takeaway is that, even though Dr. Esselstyn didn't make his patients add in exercise (to keep the study simpler) I believe a lot of them added it on their own as they felt better and better. And I know for sure I slack off on exercise when I start feeling worse, and the slacking makes me feel even worse, and that's a downward spiral.
Finally, I think daily meditation is helpful, and as life has got busier, I've also let my practice slide in that area. So I'm going to make sure I get that in too.
And by the time I get to the blood draw in a month from now, I'll know for sure.
This is harder. Every day I discover another way in which I wasn't quite on point, and fine tune it. And getting in 5 or 6 servings of green leafies and cruciferous daily is a real challenge. I can barely keep enough in the house for the week, but again, just adjusting as I go will be fine. I'm getting at least four servings every day, though, and most days, I get four & a half to five. I bought lots of frozen broccoli & cauliflower and a dozen cans of spinach (in addition to all the raw I keep stocked) to help out when I need a quick grab & go.
Yesterday I made Aloo Gobi, or cauliflower curry. I made it just a tad too spicy for me, and not quite 100% yet, so I'll keep tweaking til I love it, then share the recipe when it's finalized. I'd had it out somewhere and it was delish. Of course "out somewhere" they cook the veggies in oil and even add oil to the tomato sauce. (So many many recipes have so much unnecessary oil! I mean, why pour it into the sauce?)
Anyway, if I can improve things I will, and I'll know in four weeks, give or take. I'm kind of excited for the challenge, and moving up the next level.
Let me know what you decide to do. I care a lot, which is why this blog exists. I really recommend the book, Prevent & Reverse Heart Disease. But I don't blame you if you want to wait a month and see how I do. :)
I thought that I was doing better than I was. "A few little cheats here and there" add up over time.
In nutrition classes, one of the golden rules is "There are no good or bad foods." I call shenanigans on that. There are foods that heal,, and there are foods that harm. Oil harms.
Hugs! Let me know how you are doing, and how you decide to address this.
Maggie
I learned long ago that Parkinson's would not kill me, something else would. Got a great Neurologist. Found out the secrete, "Keep Moving!". No, I'm not doing it one hundred percent either, but I am doing it every chance I get. On the really bad days I remember the advice my old family doctor and best friend said, "If you are having a really bad day, just get up, go outside, walk ten minutes one way and then back. You will have done something." I believe our biggest problem when faced with 'interesting issues', as my neurologist calls them, is we get too tough on ourselves.