27/02/2023
BE KIND TO YOUR HEART
February is American Heart Month.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in Arkansas. We have the fourth highest heart disease mortality rate in the nation. However, in many cases heart disease can be reversed. What is the secret to opening heart blockages? Plants. Since 1990 to today, research consistently shows that compared to people eating a standard American diet, those who prioritize plants (with vegetarian and vegan diets) have a reduced risk of death from heart disease.
You might be surprised by how many plant-based meals you already enjoy. Some simple swaps are oatmeal with chopped apple for omelets, bean for beef burritos, and mushroom marinara for meat sauce with pasta. With increasing grocery options and online resources, going plant-based is easier than ever before.
A plant-based diet, especially a whole-food plant-based diet (eating food as close to the way it grows in nature as possible), is not only good for the heart but is a prescription for overall good health. According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, appropriately planned vegetarian, including vegan, diets are healthful, nutritionally adequate, and can reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, certain types of cancer, and obesity, as well as heart disease.
When someone starts eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and beans, their body begins healing quickly and medication doses often need to be reduced, so when making significant dietary improvements, you’ll want to be in close contact with your healthcare provider.
If you’re interested in starting, or exploring, a plant-based diet, PCRM.org/Nutrition has numerous resources to help you get started, like their 21-day Kickstart program. Nutritionfacts.org/
is another excellent place for nutrition advice you can trust.
It’s Heart Month, be kind to yours, all year long.
References:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1973470/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8387295/
https://www.jandonline.org/article/S2212-2672(16)31192-3/fulltext
http://www.pcrm.org/kickstart
Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine
NutritionFacts.org
American College of Lifestyle Medicine
Plant-Based Living Series We invite you to sign up for ten weeks of free, easily digestible support emails that will help you live a healthy, plant-based lifestyle.