Lower Cholesterol and Hypertension by Going Plant Based

Last year, the Dr. Oz show spearheaded a 21 day vegan challenge experiment to examine the effects that going meat free had on people’s bodies.  Four meat and dairy loving women participated in the challenge. Before they began the challenge, the women were ordered to go to bio reference labs for blood work to determine their initial blood pressure, weight and cholesterol levels.

The women experienced some challenges as the foods that they usually ate were swapped out for a meatless substitute.   One woman had an issue with the taste of the dairy free half and half that she started using in her coffee while another experienced a challenge preparing food separately for her family who are meat eaters.  By week three, the women began experiencing changes in their bodies rather quickly.  One woman experienced significantly less aches and pain, more energy and weight loss.

Dr. Oz discussed the results of the women’s health markers after completing the challenge and they were pretty significant.  One woman lost a total of 10 lbs.  Three out of the four women’s blood pressure improved.  Three women also experienced lowered “bad cholesterol” levels.  Dr. Oz interviewed two of the women who participated in the experiment.  They initially expressed excitement and shock over their results and were very happy that they took part in the challenge.  One was even eager to do it all over again!

Dr. Oz then stated that when he originally started his show, folks were surprised to learn that they could change hypertension levels solely by the food that they ate.

Later on in the episode, environmental reporter, Paul Greenberg confessed that plant based eating saved his life.  He noted that after turning 50, his cholesterol was through the roof and he decided that he had to do something about it!  He embarked on a plant-based diet for a year and his results were astounding.  He cut out all animal products including dairy, meat, and etc.  Greenburg's blood pressure went down 20 points and his bad cholesterol went down 50 points.  He also lost 10 lbs and had a great deal of newfound energy.  Greenberg achieved all of this without taking a single medication.

How does weight loss happen for people who embark on whole food plant based diets?  The truth is that people who follow plant-based diets eat less, snack less and feel more full because foods tend to be high in fiber.  You’ll experience feelings of satiety due to the amount of fiber in plant based or meat substitutes.  When you feed your body the nutrients it needs, it will feel more full than if you had chowed down on foods baring empty calories or that lack proper nutrients.  Greenberg said that he has since become a pescatarian and adopted fish back into his diet for omega 3 and B12 benefits.  If you are vegan or vegetarian, it helps to incorporate a B12 and omega 3 supplement into your daily diet.

To watch the full episode of Dr. Oz's 21 day experiment, view it below: