The Miraculous Cholesterol-Lowering Benefits of a Plant-Based Diet

According to the Physician’s Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM), every day “nearly 2,600 American’s die of some type of cardiovascular disease, an average of one death every 34 seconds.” Millions more Americans suffer at least one heart attack during their lifetime and some suffer more than one.  One of the causes of heart disease, and subsequently heart attacks, is a build-up of plaques in the arteries, these plaques are made from cholesterol and other substances.  This build-up over time causes a narrowing of the arteries, which results in less blood flow to the heart.  Blood carries vitally important oxygen to the heart muscle.  Therefore, when clogged arteries (also known as atherosclerosis) impede blood flow, the heart is also starved of oxygen.  When the heart is starved of oxygen a person will likely experience chest pain known as angina.  However, when the blood flow in one of the arteries leading to the heart is completely occluded, the person suffers a heart attack. [i]

The bad news is that the typical American diet (heavy in animal protein, dairy, and saturated fat) causes elevated cholesterol levels in the blood, which then get deposited on the walls of the arteries. The good news is a diet based on a plants (fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes) can not only protect a person from developing atherosclerosis it can actually lower a person’s cholesterol levels.  This has been proven many times over by doctors and researchers in the fields of heart health and nutrition.  However, what I want to share with you are the cholesterol numbers from my self and some people I love – people who have taken the plunge and committed themselves to a whole-food, plant-based diet.

** When my Dad turned 65 he was placed on cholesterol-lowering medications.  Now, at age 70 having been plant-based for 2.5 years he is off of all cholesterol lowering medications. In addition, my mother had been on blood pressure medication for more than 30 years, but just 6 weeks after adopting a whole-food, plant-based lifestyle she was told she no longer needed the medication.  Now, 2.5 years later, she is still free of blood pressure-lowering medication.

The numbers tell a powerful story since heart disease is the number one cause of death in the United States and having high cholesterol levels nearly doubles a person’s risk of developing heart disease. Currently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 71 million adults (33.5%) have high LDL numbers and only one in three has these levels under control. [ii]

According to Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn, if a person can get his/her total cholesterol to 150 or below and his/her LDL to 80 or below, that person has literally made himself or herself heart attack proof. [iii]

I could not be more thrilled that some of my family members have made this commitment and made such great progress. These changes, and the results they have born, have undoubtedly added years (quality years) to their lives, which means I will have them in my life longer and that is a true blessing!

The gift of health just keeps on giving.  First it gives to the individual and then it gives to that person’s family and friends.  A low-fat, whole-food, plant-based diet is the best way to give yourself and those you love the gift of health.