Em Colley
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Thoughts on the world, homeopathy, mindfulness and food...

A collection of blog posts - feel free to respond with your thoughts and comments - I love to have feedback - thank you!

Plants and people...

8/13/2013

8 Comments

 
Before reading the China study I thought it would be a hard slog, lots of long worded research, tricky concepts and that I'd have to concentrate on it all loads.  Not, maybe the perfect holiday read.  Yet having had no time to read pre-holiday I took it all the same. And actually I really enjoyed it.  I was intrigued, engaged and interested from beginning to end and would recommend to everyone with health concerns especially, but really anyone wanting to continue with or get back to good health.  Yes there's lots of research discussed, and yes I had to concentrate - but it was well written and made compelling reading.  I promised a good friend I'd do a short summary but should anyone wish to read the full version I did treat myself to a second copy so I could keep it and lend it out too... having my book and reading it!

The China study isn't the only research in the book referred to although it is certainly very impressive.  A study of diet and health involving 650 000 workers looking at death rates for 12 different types of cancer within 2400 counties in China and 880 million of their citizens.  The findings demonstrated that in China cancer was geographically localised - certain cancers were far more common in some areas than others, and, in some counties the rates of cancers were 100 times greater than those with the lowest rates.  'Western' diseases - those of affluence (or nutritional extravagance) such as cancers (colon, lung, breast, leukemia, childhood brain, stomach and liver), diabetes and coronary heart disease - occured more where there was higher cholesterol, higher animal fat intake, lower fibre intake, higher animal protein.  T. Colin Campbell states:
'The same low-animal protein, low fat diet that helps prevent obesity also allows people to reach their full growth potential while working other wonders as well.  It better regulates blood cholesterol and reduces heart disease and a variety of cancers.' 

He later says: 'There is no such thing as a special diet for cancer and a different, equally special diet for heart disease. The evidence now amased from researchers around the world shows that the same diet that is good for the prevention of cancer is also good for the prevention of heart disease, as well as obesity, diabetes, cataracts, macular degeneration, Alzheimer's, cognitive dysfunction, mutiple sclerosis, osteoporosis and other diseases.  Furthermore this diet can only benefit everyone regardless of his or her genes or personal dispositions.'

There are statistics - incredible statistics throughout the book which give weight to the recommendations, and also scarily interesting information about how the governments (particularly in the states however I'm not so sure the UK is so much better) are aware of dietary recommendations for health and yet recommends different proportions and amounts in their literature.

To quote directly from Dr Campbell 's The China Study book (p348):
'Never before has there been such a mountain of empirical research supporting a whole food, plant-based diet.  Now, for example, we can obtain images of the arteries in the heart, and then show conclusively, as Drs Dean Ornish and Caldwell Esselstyn Jr have done, that a whole food, plant based diet reverses heart disease.  We now have the knowledge to understand how this actually works. Animal protein, even more than saturated fat and dietary cholesterol, raises blood cholesterol levels in experimental animals, individual humans and entire populations.  International comparisons beween countries show that populations subsisting on traditional plant based diets have far less heart disease, and studies of individuals within single populations show that those who eat more plant based foods not only have lower cholesterol levels but also less heart disease.  We now have a deep and broad range of evidence showing that a whole food, plant based diet is best for the heart. 

Never before have we had such a depth of understanding of how diet affects cancer both on a cellular level as well as a population level.  Publised data show that animal protein promotes the growth of tumors.  Animal protein increases the levels of a hormone, IGF-1, which is a risk factor for cancer, and high casein (the main protein of cow's milk) diets allow more carcinogens into cells, which allow more dangerous carcinogen products to bind to DNA, which allow more mutagenic reactions that give rise to cancer cells, which allow more rapid growth of tumors once they are initially formed.  Data show that a diet based on animal foods increases females' production of reproductive hormones over their lifetime which may head to breast cancer.  We now have a deep and broad range of evidence showing that a whole food, plant-based diet is best for cancer.

Never before have we had the technology to measure the boimarkers associated with diabetes, and the evidence to show that blood sugar, blood cholesterol, and insulin levels improve more with a whole food, plant-based diet than with any other treatment.  Intervention studies show that when people who have type 2 diabetes are treated with a whole food, plant-based diet, they may reverse their disease and go off their medications.  A broad range of international studies shows that type 1 diabetes, a serious autoimmune disease, is related to cow's milk consumption and premature weaning. We now know how our autoimmune system can attack our own bodies through a process of molecular mimicry induced by animal proteins that find their way into our bloodstream.  We also have tantalizing evidence linking multiple sclerosis with animal food consumption and especially dairy consumption.  Dietary intervention studies have shown that diet can help slow, and perhaps even halt, mutiple sclerosis.  We now have a deep and broad range of evidence showing that a whole food, plant-based diet is best for diabetes and autoimmune diseases.

Never before have we had such a broad range of evidence showing that diets containing excess animal protein can destory our kidneys.  Kidney stones arise because of the consumption of animal protein creates excessive calcium and oxalate in the kidney. We know now that cataracts and age related macular degeneration can be prevented by foods containing large amounts of antioxidants.  In addition, research has shown that cognitive dysfunction, vascular dementia caused by small strokes, and Alzheimer's are all related to the food we eat.  Investigations of human populations show that our risk of hip facture and osteoporosis is made worse by diets high in animal based foods.  Animal protein leaches calcium from the bones by creating an acidic environment in the blood.  We now have a deep and broad range of evidence showing that a whole food, plant-based diet is best for our kidneys, bones, eyes and brains.

More research can and should be done, but the idea that whole food, plant-based diets can protect against and even treat a wide variety of chronic diseases can no longer be denied.  no longer are there just a few people making claims about a plant-based diet based on their personal experience, philosophy, or the occasional supporting scientific study.  Now there are hundreds of detailed, comprehensive, well-done research studies that point in the same direction.'

The evidence is out there.  Much the same as the cigarette cover up years ago - the big food companies continue to run the show.  I think more and more of us are hearing the truth though and really listening. Plant based is undoubtably the healthy way forwards - for our plant, our animals, but most of all, ourselves.

Do get in touch if you're confused on where to start - I'm always happy to help.  I'm working on how to simpify things and make it even more accessible for even more people... more info to come!
Picture



Cheers - here's to healthy, happy, plant based feasts!

8 Comments
Claire Kearns link
8/13/2013 04:57:49 pm

The more I read the more I seriously consider cutting meat from my diet. Im going to read the book since your write up has me wanting more of an understanding. The most challenging thing for me is changing habbits of a life time and knowing what to eat or cook in its simplest sense. Slow changes for long term results? I need guidance and more understanding.
Thanks for sharing. X

Reply
Emma Colley
8/13/2013 05:21:37 pm

Happy to help as much as I can Claire. I do recommend the book for anyone who is interested in the information as obviously goes into far more detail than I'm able to in a blog post. I will be sharing more information from it in future posts too.

I agree with you and am working on how to share that information as I think that is one of the hardest things about making a start. There are some great cook books in line with The China Study recommendations - The China Study Cookbook and Forks over Knives (which refers to eating your way to health instead of requiring surgery as opposed to not needing to cut your food). Whole by T.Colin Campbell is on my reading list too and I think that will be a great one to help also. I'm working on my own information too - watch this space!

I think a steady transition is good for lots of people and cutting a few foods at a time can be a good option for many. For me the biggest thing has been about understanding why and I'll share some of the important books for me in a future blog as that may help too.

I'm really passionate about this whole topic (had you noticed?!) so there'll be lots more to come and feel free to ask away if I can help anytime x

Reply
Teresa Renton
8/14/2013 02:02:21 am

You can watch a film of Forks over Knives - it made my husband go vegan overnight

Reply
Emma
8/14/2013 08:00:10 am

I've not seen it but have got both the accompanying book and cookbook - if it's anything like them it's sure to be compelling and well worth a watch. Thanks for the recommendation!

Simon Picking
8/13/2013 07:35:06 pm

Where do we start? I asked briefly at the ldv party. This pretty much swings me. I know I was weaned early, im t1 as everyone knows. I have thought if going veggie before. I like cereal. What milk do I get? Are there any books that you recommend do gt started with general every day meals? You are a clever girl! In years gone by I would have thought that you were nuts, how life goes full circle!!!

Reply
Emma
8/14/2013 07:56:15 am

I love non-dairy milks! Personally I'm not keen on soya milk for, well lots of reasons really. I think it's high in phyto-oestrogens which can affect our hormone balance and distrupt our natural rhythms, but also my understanding is that it's largely GM too, apparently even the organic soy is likely to be generally from GM stock.

However there are loads of other non-dairy milks to try out. I've a recipe for almond milk on my old blog http://alternativetriathlete.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/going-nuts-for-milk.html as well as other treats and recipes. There are so many available from the supermarkets/health food shops so just experiment but our favourites are coconut or oat milk - both of which go down pretty well here. Isla who is a great tester (and totally not accepting of my almond milk or rice milk (which you can also make yourself)) is more than happy with oat milk on cereal and coconut milk in our wheat free, gluten free vegan pancakes. Have fun playing with them!

Thanks Simon - we could all be nuts - I'm open to that too.... but this whole vegan thing makes too much sense to me at the moment to ignore. I'll get on with a getting started blog now...

Reply
Marita Bonillo
8/13/2013 10:34:46 pm

I converted my family of 5 to follow an 80-10-10 plant based diet after watching 1st the clinical evidence presented http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30gEiweaAVQ

Reply
Emma
8/14/2013 08:01:36 am

I love eating 80-10-10 raw vegan! It fits in with the China Study calorinutrient ratios perfectly and feel great! Brilliant that your whole family eats that way now.

Reply



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    I'm a Homeopath working in the Skipton (North Yorkshire) area. I am also able to offer food intolerance testing using Kinesiology and advice around diet and lifestyle.
    My blog is a reflection of thoughts, collection of recipes, suggestions of self help remedies and more.

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Em Colley Homeopath
Practitioner of Classical Homeopathy
BSc(Hons) Psychology and Neuroscience
Laughter Yoga Leader
Focussed Mindfulness Practitioner

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          • Breakfast ice cream on fresh fruit
          • Granola
          • Smoothie bowl
          • Sunrise Smoothie Bowl
        • Dips, Dressings & Appetisers >
          • Carrot, Orange and Ginger Soup
          • Cheese-less cheese dip
          • Guacamole
          • Hummus (oil free)
          • Mango and Cucumber Dressing
          • Ranch Dressing
          • Seedy 'Slaw
          • Summer salad dressing
          • Wild Garlic Pesto
        • Mains >
          • Cashew Cheese-y Kale Salad
          • Creamy Avocado Noodles
          • Green Mango Soup
          • Lasagne. Scrummy, yummy, vegan lasagne.
          • Mango Spinach Salad
          • Middle Eastern Inspired Dinner
          • Moroccan Inspired Salad Dressing
          • Raw Coconut Curry with Cauliflower 'Rice'
          • Raw Curry
          • Simple, Tasty and Nutritious Romaine Wraps
          • Spiralised courgette, chopped tomatoes, celery, spring onion with an red pepper, garlic, lemon and cashew cream sauce
          • Squashy Mac n Cheese
          • Sundried Tomato Tart
          • Sweet Mango Noodles
          • Sweet and Sour Noodles
          • Sweet potato, chilli mixed veg with cauliflower and kale 'rice'
          • Vegan Carbonara with Vegetables
        • Desserts >
          • Almond butter and date toffee stacks
          • Anyone for (low fat, high carb, raw vegan) Blueberry Pie?
          • Apple and strawberry crumble with salted caramel nice cream
          • Banoffee Ice Cream Pie
          • Banoffee Pecan Pie
          • Birthday cake pie!
          • Carrot Cake Balls
          • Chocolate almond sundae
          • Chocolate and Peanut Butter Pudding
          • Chocolate Extravaganza Ice Cream
          • Chocolate Ginger Brownies
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          • Chocolate orange fudge
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          • Christmas pudding 'cheesecake'
          • Cinnamon, vanilla pud
          • Coconut Happy Bars
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          • Lime Cheesecake
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          • Mango and Raspberry Tart
          • PBJ Ice Cream
          • Peanut Butter Banoffee Pots
          • Peanut Butter Bar
          • Pecan Date Bites
          • Plant power pancakes
          • Pumpkin Pie (raw vegan)
          • Raw Bilberry Pie
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          • Raw Ice Cream
          • Raw Raspberry Cheesecake
          • Raw Rolos
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          • Rocky Road Raw Vegan Style
          • Salted Caramel Almond Nice Cream
          • Summer Fruit Nice Cream with Mango Sorbet and Fruit Coulis
          • Super Cookies
          • Vegan chocolate chip cookies
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          • Caramel chocolate smoothie
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