Yet I find it frustrating when information like this never makes it to the general public. The biggest mistake doctors and dietitians make, is assuming that patients don't want to hear the truth because of a preconceived notion that "patients won't change" or "drastic diet changes are too hard". Even if just one person changed for the better, wouldn't that be a success?
Again, the results of these studies are nothing new, so why haven't policies been changed and government subsidies shifted. Why don't school meals and hospital menus reflect the scientific evidence? I'll save those issues for another time. For now I will simply pass along the information.
1. Replacing animal fat and refined carbohydrates with vegetable fat reduced the risk of all-cause mortality among men with non-metastatic prostate cancer.
|Plant-based fats in their whole form are fat-tastic!|
Most, if not all, of the fat we consume should be from nuts, seeds, and avocados. Try to include small amounts at every meal and/or snack. Limit animal fats, processed or refined grains, and added sugar.
2. Lycopene appears to protect against prostate cancer.
|Foods high in lycopene protect us from various cancers.|
This one is no surprise. Many studies, of various designs, have shown the anti-cancer effect of lycopene. Watermelon, red grapefruit, asparagus, red cabbage, and guava all contain high amounts of lycopene, but tomatoes dominate the playing field. Cooked tomatoes are probably the best source of this cancer-fighting nutrient.
3. Red meat tied to type 2 diabetes.
Researchers looked at multiple studies consisting of nearly 150,000 participants and found that over time, if red meat intake increased, so did the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Conversely, if red meat intake was reduced, the risk of developing type 2 diabetes decreased. These associations were partly mediated by body weight.
|Heart disease, cancer, diabetes, oh my!|
Heart disease, cancer, and now diabetes. Sorry red meat, but three strikes and you're out.
4. A diet high in saturated fat and high glycemic-index foods may promote Alzheimer's disease.
This link has been shown in previous studies, so this study simply supports previous findings.
|High glycemic-index foods tend to be loaded with refined grains and added sugar.|
Saturated fat is found mostly in animal products and junk food. In fact, the top sources in the American diet are: dairy products, meat, and desserts. Cut out animal products and sweets, and you'll likely decrease your risk of developing Alzheimer's. For more info regarding diet and neurological diseases, read Power Foods For The Brain (click here).
Well there you have it, some of the most recent research supporting a plant-based, whole food diet. You probably won't find it in newspapers, magazines or news headlines. You may not even hear it from your doctor or dietitian. Which is why I've created this blog, to share life-saving, disease-preventing, health-promoting information regarding health and nutrition.
Knowledge is power,