Kaiser Physicians Pushing a Plant-Based Diet (Title Corrected)
 

Here's a great article Jimbo and VPL, and anyone else SINCERELY interested in nutrition. Word is FINALLY getting out:


Abstract

The objective of this article is to present to physicians an update on plant-based diets. Concerns about the rising cost of health care are being voiced nationwide, even as unhealthy lifestyles are contributing to the spread of obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. For these reasons, physicians looking for cost-effective interventions to improve health outcomes are becoming more involved in helping their patients adopt healthier lifestyles. Healthy eating may be best achieved with a plant-based diet, which we define as a regimen that encourages whole, plant-based foods and discourages meats, dairy products, and eggs as well as all refined and processed foods. We present a case study as an example of the potential health benefits of such a diet. Research shows that plant-based diets are cost-effective, low-risk interventions that may lower body mass index, blood pressure, HbA1C, and cholesterol levels. They may also reduce the number of medications needed to treat chronic diseases and lower ischemic heart disease mortality rates. Physicians should consider recommending a plant-based diet to all their patients, especially those with high blood pressure, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or obesity."


"Too often, physicians ignore the potential benefits of good nutrition and quickly prescribe medications instead of giving patients a chance to correct their disease through healthy eating and active living. If we are to slow down the obesity epidemic and reduce the complications of chronic disease, we must consider changing our culture’s mind-set from “live to eat” to “eat to live.” The future of health care will involve an evolution toward a paradigm where the prevention and treatment of disease is centered, not on a pill or surgical procedure, but on another serving of fruits and vegetables."



Nutritional Update for Physicians: Plant-Based Diets

On the link you provided they recommended a diet that is explained on ChooseMyPlate.gov. Half the plate is to consist of non starchy vegetables, 1/4 whole grains and 1/4 lean protein. This MyPlate diet may be better than what most people are currently eating, but to my knowledge it's not a plant based diet. I believe it's an omnivore diet.

I believe a true plant based diet excludes animal protein.

I think they are wisely suggesting that a plant-based diet doesn't have to be made up of only plants. Just a majority of plants. What you are talking about, in my opinion, is a plant only diet, which is must more restrictive and maybe unnecessary for optimum health.

VPL, I believe CFrance is correct. Here is the supporting information from the "Conclusion" section:

"A plant-based diet is not an all-or-nothing program, but a way of life that is tailored to each individual. It may be especially beneficial for those with obesity, Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, lipid disorders, or cardiovascular disease. The benefits realized will be relative to the level of adherence and the amount of animal products consumed. Strict forms of plant-based diets with little or no animal products may be needed for individuals with inoperable or severe coronary artery disease. Low-sodium, plant-based diets may be prescribed for individuals with high blood pressure or a family history of coronary artery disease or stroke. A patient with obesity and diabetes will benefit from a plant-based diet that includes a moderate amount of fruits and vegetables and minimal low-fat animal products."

I added the bold to what I believe is the point you are making. That is, the less (or NO) animal products, the better.

Personally, after doing much reading, I have chosen to be majority plant-based with "some" fish (mostly salmon), an occasional egg or two, and "some" cheese (occasionally either on a pizza or with a glass of wine). I know Gracie would approve! ;) Just about every author I've read on this subject allows "some" animal product and still considers it extremely healthy.

What I'm worried about is them possibly developing new, unclear definitions of the phrase "plant based diet". A vegan diet is a plant based diet and a vegetarian diet is plant based. Now meat eaters can claim to be eating a plant based diet? I feel like this phrase "plant based diet" has been stretched to cover everything and, consequently, it has become almost meaningless.

I wasn't doubting that the diet may have some merits. This diet may be a way for people to slowly gravitate toward something better. As I just explained to CFrance, I'm worried about the confusion that may be created by stretching the phrase "plant based diet". It will be something like the phrase, "everything in moderation". What does it mean? Nothing, in my opinion.

It seems to me like they just took the phrase and redefined it - stretched it - to suit their own needs. It puts an undeserved halo on animal protein, in my opinion.

Some have given the advice to, "eat everything in moderation" but they never explain what it really means. It's evasive. Now they will be able say they eat a plant based diet and that will be another evasion, which will make it difficult to have meaningful conversations in the future.

Perhaps they should call it a "plant based omnivore diet".

Those of us who eat in moderation understand exactly what it means --- not excessive or extreme!


mod·er·ate (mŏd′ər-ĭt)adj.

1. Being within reasonable limits; not excessive or extreme: a moderate price.
2. Not violent or subject to extremes; mild or calm; temperate: a moderate climate.

Read the book Forks Over Knifes , which is plant based life style eating. Lots of Good recipes and very healthy. We do eat some chicken and pork.

It is only evasive if one pretends to not understand so as to avoid a model which represents common sense to many.

But can you find it at Arbys?

Extreme by whose standards?

What about those who pretend to understand?

I find it hard to watch the show Hoarders. On it many times a person will hold on to a gum wrapper or something else similar, like plastic covers to newspapers, trying so passionately to explain that he/she may need it for something. If someone throws it away, frequently the hoarder will become angry, sullen, withdrawn, vindictive.

OCD is a very, very hard thing to understand, both by the person having it, and by the people they interact with.

By roughly 99% of humanity I would guess. (Yes...just my opinion. :) )

I heard that Polar Bears eat lots of fish. How many is "lots"?

The word "extreme" is a relative term.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Relative_term

The above link states, "The colloquial meaning for a relative term is that it is different for different people or situations. An example: someone who is 5 feet tall might think someone who is 5 feet six inches tall is tall, but someone who is 6 feet would think that that person is short."

VPL, you are an intelligent man.
In previous threads, many of us have said that we eat in moderation. I know that you dislike that word.
You've said in a previous post: "Some have given the advice to eat everything in moderation but they never explain what it really means. It's evasive."

I have clearly explained what moderation means to most of us -- which is simply avoiding extremes. We make informed choices. Most retirees in The Villages have had successful careers and are well read.

We are capable of making healthy choices, and having a healthy and happy social life with lots of friends and activities.
Why do you doubt otherwise? :confused:

:agree:There are far to many all or nothings in this world. And moving to a "plant based diet" as defined by the article would benefit and improve the health of a huge majority. But I suppose "huge majority" is an evasive term as well.

And I just love my plant based stuff in liquid form. :eclipsee_gold_cup:

By this I assume that those of us that have read several books and many studies and, along with many cardiologists and other doctors have come to a different conclusion are not SINCERELY interested in nutrition.

A routine understanding of the English language should tell us that "plant based" and "plant only" are not the same.

It would seem to me that any diet in which over 50% of the calories are derived from plants would be categorized as a plant based diet. Are not vegetarians who eat dairy products eating a "plant based diet"?

As far as I can tell, a vegan diet is another name for a plant only diet.

Enough to help them manage their survival.

I doubt otherwise because of various statistics that indicate high rates of degenerative diseases and overweight issues in the U.S. population.

The author of The China Study, who studied nutrition nearly all of his life, referred to veganism as "a plant based diet". I never heard the phrase "plant only" diet before this thread.

I doubt that very many people will take the time to calculate whether or not they are getting 50% of their calories from plants. Non-starchy plants are very low in calories. MyPlate, which is used as an acceptable example, has 3/4 of the plate devoted to vegetables and grains(1/2 vegetables plus 1/4 grains). 1/4 of the plate is reserved for "lean protein" but the calories are allowed to go as high as 49%? That doesn't seem to make sense. Where did you get the information "50% of calories from vegetables"?


What's wrong with calling it what it is, a "omnivore diet"?


Notice that nothing was said about preventing cancer and cancer is the second leading cause of death. The vegan diet, as presented by Dr. Colin Campbell, includes a cancer prevention strategy as well as a prevention strategy for all the other degenerative diseases.

Barefoot never said everybody makes those healthy choices we are all capable of making.

There is no such thing as a diet that will prevent "all the other degenerative diseases." This is a snake oil sale.

Well...you know what they say about assumptions...

Most of these "nutrition" threads end up in tit-for-tat sniping and the thread being closed. Little nutrition information is SINCERELY discussed or exchanged. I apologize I didn't make that clear, but that's what I was referring to.

I do understand from previous posts that you've done a good amount of your own research and have arrived at a different and significantly opposing conclusion about what constitutes a healthy diet. I wish you only health and happiness and suggest we simply agree to disagree on this subject.

Good point.

Extremely misleading thread title.

I have read the link. It is an opinion piece with references from 4 staff physicians at Kaiser. It is referenced with articles and TV shows that support their opinion.

The National Institutes of Health is not Kaiser but is a governmental organization (NIH.gov) and is a far more prestigious organization for making recommendations, although Kaiser does excellent work especially in harvesting data from their patient population. This opinion piece was published in their in-house magazine.

This is absolutely NOT an opinion from the National Institutes of Health.
The lead author is a nephrologist who trained at a Caribbean medical school. His biography does not list any training in nutrition.
https://healthy.kaiserpermanente.org...reWc_5HNNNQ!!/

While these doctors may be right, they are not the NIH and do not represent the NIH nor even the opinion of Kaiser.

Son of a gun. Thank you blueash

Thanks blueash. Sorry for the confusion - wasn't intentional.

Hi Barefoot: I just happened on this thread and reached the same conclusion but your response is better than mine would have been.

Thank you

:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

I have a friend who reminds me of some on this thread. i can recall when he would hotly debate which brand of peanut butter was the most nutritional.

His FAMILY and mine moved our separate ways but stayed in touch over the years. His youngest daughter is our god child.

He visited my home when we lived in Minneapolis area about 10 years ago. Now a vegan my wife worked her magic to meet variety flavor and nutritional goals. His family non-vegan enjoyed prime rib roast and fixins. There is in my view plenty of room for one's preferences.

My only objection is having members of the Church of Green (energy) or Church of Kale (plant) evangelizing. My friend does that too and it drives his family and us all up a wall.


Personal Best Regards:

Just for clarity, the second quote belongs to VPL

I so agree and personal best regards to you too, Rubicon.

The topic of this thread was not limited to The Villages population.

That's why I called it a "prevention strategy". Words mean things.