Chapter 2: Someday We'll Have to Get Smarter

[Rachael]

"Autopsies of soldiers during the Korean and Vietnam wars showed the effects of America's artery-clogging diet even on the very young. The arteries of Asian soldiers were largely clean, free of fatty deposits. But almost 80 percent of American battlefield casualties showed gross evidence of coronary artery disease - clogging and damage that, had the soldiers lived, would have grown worse with every passing decade,"

This was really surprising for me to find out that there was documentation showing the difference in arteries of American vs Korean/Vietnam soldiers dating back to the 1950s. It is shocking to me that they had this information for over 70 years now and, more people still question that lifestyle differences could account for such a huge difference between the two groups. Dr. Esselstyn talks about the many people that are skeptical of nutrition playing a role when he first started pursing his studies, and there are still many that remain skeptical today.

[Donna]

Yes, it IS scary right?!?! I was amazed by the first chapter case about Dr. Crowe who was seemingly “healthy”, but having a heart attack at 44 years old.

Atherosclerosis and endothelial damage clearly starts early in life.

Wonder how much earlier this damage begins now that fast & processed food ubiquitous and infection with COVID-19 attacks the Cardiovascular system?

[Donna]

So for the season of Lent, we have as a family chosen to go “oil-free” in addition to being Vegan.

This is a choice we’re making to protect our own health and to help shape our kids’ food preferences.

We did this once before, but as an accidental consequence of COVID shutdown in our state…this time we intend to “get smarter”.

Follow our blog on how we are doing (or struggling to do) this day-by-day:
https://dolifemed.org/healthier-you/2...

[Eric]

"First, there was the compelling fact that in nations where blood levels of cholesterol were customarily below 150 mg/dL, coronary artery disease was rare, while in places where the levels were higher, so was the incidence of heart disease."

So why are we not targeting lower cholesterol levels?

[Eric]

In 1984, experimenting on himself - Dr. Esselstyn eliminated meat from his diet and reduced his total cholesterol from 185 to 155 mg/dl in two months time. He then further removed all dairy and oil and further dropped his cholesterol to 119 mg/dl without the use of cholesterol lowering drugs. Such a simple and elegant solution to one of the most common health problems strongly associated with the leading cause of death in the United States - heart disease. .

[Donna]

So over the past weekend the news of a new cholesterol drug study re: Nexletol came out in press.

It is purported to cut Heart Attacks and lower cholesterol.

I wonder why anyone would want to have to take a drug when they could just eat plant-based and likely then not need it?

[Eric]

Perception in the mass media is that taking a pill can solve all your health problems.

One has to use restraint and put in effort to make behavioral change and it is hard to know where to start.

Patients and their families need to have support to make these kinds of changes. Dr. Esselstyn and his family give people that kind of support - even our family's benefitted from their support!