Top 6 Reasons To Go Plant-Based
Updated: Feb 1, 2023
The first, and arguably most important pillar of lifestyle medicine is a plant-based whole-foods lifestyle. I don't like to call it a "diet" because it isn't that at all. Eating more whole, plant-based foods should be a part of our way of life -- it's just the way we eat -- we're not on a diet!
Here are my top 6 reasons to go plant-based:
Plant-based diets lower your LBs. We know that limiting meat and dairy products can tip the scale in your favor and help shed those extra pounds. A recent study followed over 60 women who were classified as overweight or obese; all adopted a “no animal products” diet and lost about a pound per week. What’s more, those who continued with this way of eating, maintained their weight loss after 2 years and did so without restriction. They ate whatever they wanted and as much as they wanted -- as long as it was a whole, plant-based food -- and they still lost weight!
More plants can lower blood pressure. Plant-based diets can lower your total body weight which has the added benefit of lowering your blood pressure. Research shows that losing even 5 pounds can lower your blood pressure by several points. Also, plant-based diets are generally less processed which means they contain fewer additives and salt which also helps keep blood pressure under control.
Plant-heavy diets improve cholesterol levels. Meat, dairy, and eggs are high in saturated fats and are the most common culprits for high cholesterol. By cutting out (or at least reducing) these food items, cholesterol levels can take a serious nose dive and keep you off prescription medications (like statin drugs) for life.
Plant-based diets improve your energy. One of the most common complaints that I hear from patients is fatigue and lack of energy. Foggy thinking, sluggishness, and lack of motivation are symptoms that many patients struggle with for years. At times, these symptoms can be due to an underlying serious medical issue, so it's always important to talk to your doctor. However, I find that my patient’s symptoms of fatigue are often due to poor diet and lifestyle choices. For myself, my family, and many patients, adopting a plant-based diet has been life-changing and abundant with energy and vitality.
Plants decrease free radicals. Free radicals are molecules that have been implicated in many diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s. There is also ongoing research that is pointing to free radical involvement in the aging process. Free radicals are produced from the breakdown of certain foods and from environmental exposures such as tobacco smoke, pollution, and pesticides. By eating plant-based, whole foods, we can decrease the free radical load in our bodies and thereby decrease the risk of chronic disease, slow the aging process, and enhance our healthspan and lifespan giving us more healthy, disease-free years.
Plant-based lifestyles not only prevent chronic disease but can also reverse it. We know that those who eat a whole-food, plant-based diet have a lower incidence of chronic disease. What is really exciting, is that we can also reverse type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and even established coronary artery disease with this lifestyle. Eating more plant-based is an investment in your health so that your body will carry you through life without breaking down. No one wants to spend their retirement years in doctor's offices or spend all their hard-earned retirement money on hospital bills and prescription drugs. A plant-based lifestyle is the best way to ensure those golden years are pure gold.
For many patients, transitioning to a plant-based diet can seem daunting, and like all of the joy will be sucked from their lives. Not true! Eating plant-based is easy, delicious, and makes you feel so damn good that the joy will runneth over. Think of it as an opportunity to step out of your comfort zone and into a whole new and fun world of culinary creativity.
I always suggest starting slow - adding more whole, plant-based foods over time. Switch just one meal a week to start -- “Meatless Mondays” is an easy starting point. Or, if you have some extra time on the weekend to plan, try transitioning all your lunches next week to a big salad with fruit for dessert. Wherever you choose to start, remember that even one small change can be the catalyst to a more abundant and healthy life.
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