“Cardiovascular… the deadly disease that killed Tim Russert (NBC Meet the Press host)” was the news that I’ve heard early this morning on the CBS Early Morning Show.
I’ve also read an article today at Natural News: “According to Russert’s internist, Michael A. Newman, Russert knew he had been diagnosed with coronary artery disease but believed he was “controlling” it with “medication and exercise.” I’m just wondering – did Tim Russert change his diet too?
I am going to share with you this article (below) on cardiovascular disease that I read 2 weeks ago. This article was written by 2 health ministry directors of the Seventh-day Adventists. The Seventh-day Adventists highly promote vegetarian lifestyle. “They do not have habits of smoking or drinking, and exercise is an important part of their lifestyle. As a people they have one day of rest each week in which they totally unplug and that is called the Sabbath. These factors seem to play a significant role in their longevity. According to recent research, that was done by National Geographic, Seventh-day Adventists outlive their American counterparts by up to 10 years.”(1) Read National Geographic excerpt » Longevity, The Secrets of Long Life
Research studies show that vegetarians have lower rates of cancer, heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and obesity than meat eaters. British researchers say vegetarians have a 20% lower risk of fatal heart disease and a 40% lower risk of cancer. Researchers on other studies were amazed to discover that among the vegetarian Adventists, death rates from cancer were 50-70% lower than among other Americans. (2)
Here’s the Cardiovascular Disease article:
How much of a problem is cardiovascular disease to those not living in Western countries?
Your question is very relevant, because cardiovascular disease has often been described as a disease found in developed or Western societies.
Unfortunately, bad habits seem to be learned much more quickly than good ones, and consequently, we are now seeing an increasing number of cardiovascular deaths in developing countries. This increase is taking place while the mortality rate for cardiovascular disease has actually declined slightly in United States.
Cardiovascular Disease – Vegetarian Diet Importance
Lifestyle factors are clearly and overwhelmingly important. Many studies show that the 2-3% of individuals who eat a vegetarian diet that includes nuts, whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and who exercise regularly, have very few cardiovascular deaths. But there is increasing evidence that the cholesterol story we have both taught and learned is not as straightforward as was once thought.
Cardiovascular Disease on Global Basis
Predictors other than cholesterol, such as vitamin D levels and inflammation indicators such C-reactive protein, may have as much significance for prognosis as cholesterol levels. Of concern is the increasing rate of cardiovascular disease in women. Cardiovascular disease, on a global basis, is actually much more of a serious problem than is HIV infection. China has one of the highest stroke rates, and much of this can be related to smoking. We often think the United States must have the highest cardiovascular disease rates (i.e., strokes and heart attacks). This is not true, however. Many other countries have higher mortality rates from cardiovascular disease. India, China, Argentina, and Scotland have high rates.
Diet is clearly a factor, but by no means the only factor. By 2020, tobacco will be the single greatest health hazard worldwide.
While there has been a decline in smoking in the Western world, it is skyrocketing in the world at large.
Cardiovascular Disease – Exercise and Plant-based Diet
Exercise is a wonder-worker even in obese persons. Obese individuals who exercise experience half the cardiovascular disease of those who are inactive. It makes little sense to be a dietary fanatic as a couch potato. This does not mean exercise compensates for obesity, because both unhealthful diet and lack of exercise are independent risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
Fruits and vegetables markedly increase one’s chance of avoiding cardiovascular disease, as does the consumption of an ounce of nuts at least a few times a week.
While some people promote fish consumption, it has the same profile as red meat in causing colon cancer.
No matter where one lives, the classic 5 elements of a healthful lifestyle — regular exercise, a plant-based diet, whole grains, nuts and water as the principal fluid result in reduced cardiovascular risk.
The largest lifestyle problem facing the world’s population is the reduction of tobacco consumption. Elimination should be our goal, but for those not motivated, as Adventists are by spiritual concerns, the expectation of the total elimination of global tobacco usage is not realistic.
Cardiovascular Disease Intervention: Exercise
The second most rewarding lifestyle intervention, on a global basis, would be to exercise more. We need 150 minutes of moderately hard exercise a week. This means exercise should induce a light sweat to be of sufficient intensity.
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Article Source: Adventist World, June 2008 issue, p11.
Authors: Allan R. Handysides, M.B., Ch.B., FRCPC, FRCSG, FACOG; and Peter Landless, M.B., B.Ch., M.Med., F.C.P.(SA), FACC.
1 http://www.healthylifeinfo.com/healthlib/article.asp?file=longevity.html
2 Selene Yeager, et al, The Doctors Book of Food Remedies, p. 645
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