On September 9th, 2018 I bought another book that changed my life. It had a catchy title, great reviews on Amazon, and it was green (my favorite color!). HOW NOT TO DIE is a book about nutrition and disease. In it, Dr. Michael Greger makes the argument that the top 13 causes of death in the USA can be attributed to our poor diet and lifestyle choices. He cites countless studies to make his arguments. He then goes on to discuss several foods and food groups and how they can help prevent and treat disease. I was aghast at the amount of scientific information in the book and read over numerous studies myself. It just made sense and seems so easy. Eat a plant-based diet, live longer, live healthier, and prevent or reverse disease. The best thing about it is that there is NO RISK. Think of any medication that is prescribed and I can list several potential side effects from that medication. I know because I've prescribed probably thousands in my 10 year career as a family doctor. But switching to a plant-based diet? Nothing. I am convinced now that it is the right thing to do not only for my health but for the health of my family and for my patients. I have told every one of them about my new lifestyle.
I think Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn said it best: "Some people think the plant-based, whole-foods diet is extreme. Half a million people a year will have their chests opened up and a vein taken from their leg and sewn onto their coronary artery. Some people would call that extreme."
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