Several prominent American heart disease researchers and physicians have stated that, in their long careers, they have never seen heart disease fatalities among patients with cholesterol levels below 150 mg/dl. (Drs. Bill Castelli, Bill Roberts, and Caldwell Esselstyn, Jr.) Studies show that consuming animal-based protein increases blood cholesterol levels.
That information gave me a goal--- to aim for a total cholesterol below 150 mg/dl. I know that I am just an experiment of one. What works for me may not work for everyone, but here are my results. I have been vegetarian for eighteen years now. My last total cholesterol level, as a vegetarian, was 158 mg/dl. I was very happy with that. But my most recent blood cholesterol level, as a plant-strong, unprocessed food, vegan, who is now age 60, was 128 mg/dl. This life style works just as advertised! (according to my laboratory, norms for total cholesterol for Americans are 125-200 mg/dl, note that averages for people in other countries are lower).
In addition, my fasting blood sugar 2 1/2 years ago as a vegetarian was 100 mg/dl. (normal 65-99 mg/dl). That was one point above normal, or prediabetic. This time around, as a vegan, it was 89 mg/dl and well withing the normal range. I'm thrilled.....my labwork confirms that this life style works for me, for whatever reason. Be it the diet, adding more consistent exercise, or losing a little weight--- I need to keep this up.
Life is the great experiment. Each of us is an experiment of one---observer and subject---making choices, living with them, recording the effects. George Sheehan
(source, www.be-healthy-happy-beautiful.tumblr.com)
No comments:
Post a Comment