What if you were able not only to live a long life, but to feel better for longer? Growing old sounds great, but there’s a difference between a 90-year-old who does crossword puzzles and takes daily walks and a 90-year-old who can only watch TV and stare out the window. Which kind of life would you prefer? What does longevity mean? It’s about aging where your brain, mind, and spirit are all functioning at their best, well into your later years. So, you not only have a high quantity of life, but a high quality of life.
In his book, Eat Plants, Feel Whole, Dr. George Guthrie tells the story of a healthy 88-year-old lady who lived in a rural mountainous community. She lived by herself about half a mile from Guthrie’s home. Every time that Guthrie walked past her house, he admired her large, productive garden. She shared with him that this was the source of most of her food: beans, squash, melons, carrots, cucumbers, beets, lettuce, and so on. When she came to his office, all she wanted was a physical. She felt quite healthy and took no medicines.
As Dr. Guthrie recorded her medical history, he learned that, at age 65, she’d been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and hypertension, and had received prescriptions for the usual medications. But she decided not to take the pills. She explained, “I knew what I had to do. I went home and planted a big garden.” Exercise and plant-based nutrition had made a difference. Her blood pressure was normal. Her lab results showed no sign of insulin resistance or diabetes, and her cholesterol numbers and blood pressure were perfect. Dr. Guthrie gave her a clean bill of health and asked her to return for annual checkups.
The last time Dr. Guthrie saw her, she was going strong at ninety-three years of age. She did admit to using a cane or walking stick for stability, but she was still strong in body and mind. She completely avoided all the medications, doctor visits, procedures, and hospitalizations that would have been hers if she had not chosen a whole-food plant-based lifestyle. Guthrie writes, “This is how long life should be experienced.”
Choosing a whole-food plant-based diet means choosing foods that are lower in calories and higher in water, fiber, and nutrient density. These foods protect the body and help it deal with the extra free radicals it naturally produces, and they control the number of free radicals that are created. With this diet, we avoid lifestyle diseases. We age more slowly. We live longer and healthier. Studies also show that a diet of fresh, whole fruits and vegetables, legumes (beans, peas, and lentils), nuts, and seeds boost brain activity and improve mood.
BENEFITS OF A WHOLE-FOOD, PLANT-BASED DIET
- May reverse type 2 diabetes
- Lowers blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels
- Calms atherosclerosis inflammation (may even reverse it)
- Reduces risk of heart disease and stroke
- Reverses heart disease
- Promotes weight loss
- Aids digestion and supports gut health
- Protects against cataracts and macular degeneration
- Stimulates collagen production for smooth, wrinkle-free skin
- Protects skin against sun damage
- Clarifies skin and reduces acne
- Lowers the risks for certain types of cancer
- Prevents and treats erectile dysfunction
- Slows aging and increases life expectancy
- Improves memory and brain function
Dr. Guthrie writes, “The longer you practice a whole-food, plant-based lifestyle, the more benefits you will experience. Over time, your energy will improve, and your sleep will be more restful. You will find maintaining a healthy weight easier, and your doctor visits will be preventive rather than prescriptive. These benefits stem from adopting a complete lifestyle, not just committing to a diet for a few weeks.” In other words, it’s the best way to reach a healthy wholeness.
