Could a low-fat plant-based diet like a vegetarian or a vegan one help reverse coronary heart illness and if this is the case, should we all follow this type of nutrition?
According to BHF dietitian Victoria Taylor, the concept of a low-fat plant-based diet has been present for more than two decades.
However, this type of diet has become increasingly popular in the last few years. What is certain is that it definitely has plenty of health advantages to offer.
Still, though, the reality is more complex than we think.
Making changes in our lifestyle and diet, as well as adhering to the prescribed meds, contributes to the slower progression of coronary heart illness; however, reversing the disease is another topic.
Let’s dive deeper into it.
Could a Plant-Based Diet Reverse Heart Illness, Obesity, and Diabetes?
Research into low-fat and plant-based diets started in the 80s, in a small study that included 22 participants. The results showed that four of the participants experienced a reversal in arterial disease after following this type of diet.
Although this news is intriguing, these findings need to be confirmed in longer-term and larger studies. In another study from 2014, 198 patients were included to find out if following a strictly plant-based diet could play a role in ceasing or reversing heart illness.
The results showed that 177 of the patients who followed the diet experienced fewer symptoms whereas 22 percent of them experienced a reversal of the illness and this was confirmed by test results.
For the purposes of this study, the participants didn’t just eliminate the consumption of animal products, they also removed added oils, sugar, processed foods, refined carbs, salty foods, fruit juices, nuts, and avocados.
The participants in the study knew about the first study and wanted to try and follow this type of diet and see if it helps them alleviate their heart illness. Therefore, they already had the motivation to make diet changes.
This is a pivotal factor as the restrictions of the diet may not be easy for everyone and sometimes, it may be difficult to keep up with it.
The professionals in the study advised the participants about recipes, food label reading, how to choose proper foods for the diet, and how to ensure this diet helps them meet their nutrition needs.
Despite the results, these are small studies and there’s a need for higher-scale studies in order to make official changes in guidelines. Also, they can’t know what the results would’ve been if the participants followed a similar diet, but one that would include animal products like fish, lean meat, and low-fat milk.
With this in mind, we can’t claim that the removal of all animal products matters or the diet’s overall nutritional content. Also, they don’t know the role that other factors like weight loss and physical activity played.
Two Doctors that Support the Plant-Based Way as the Way of Healing
After adopting a low-fat, whole-food, plant-based diet, she got off insulin, lost 35 pounds, and reversed her heart disease.
In 1997, Dr. Baxter Montgomery founded the Montgomery Heart and Wellness Center. From that moment on, Montgomery’s mission has been to reverse and avert serious diseases.
He does this through a combination of medical practice and a food-driven lifestyle and the introduction of a plant-based diet as a means to reverse chronic problems like heart illness, obesity, hypertension, diabetes, etc. without the use of meds and surgery.
His two most recent patients experience major improvements in their health. One of them is Rosalee Iles who had type 2 diabetes and heart illness and Victor Fuller who needed help after a second open-heart surgery.
Fuller managed to reverse his type 2 diabetes and lose 50 pounds. His heart disease was kept under control and his meds were reduced from thirteen to four.
Another doctor who considers a plant-based diet to be the solution to health issues is Michael Donaldson, Ph.D.
He studied biochemical engineering at Cornell and wanted to become a part of the biotech industry and work on the development of pharmaceuticals.
However, he soon realized that the creation of meds isn’t the career path he really wanted. While reading science journals, he came upon God’s Way to Ultimate Health by George Malkmus and the Hallelujah Diet.
He was later appointed the research director of his organization Hallelujah Acres. He has spent the last 24 years studying and researching and has also published his research on the advantages of this plant-based diet for different diseases.
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