L.A. Times Power of Produce Article

This is an interesting article on the power of produce. I am aware that some of the large studies that have been conducted on the correlation between the consumption of fruits and vegetables and disease have not been controlled. They took the word of the participants about how much produce they were eating rather than testing to see if they showed an increase of certain antioxidant levels in their tissues. In some cases those conducting the research did not recommend their subjects consume enough produce to show dramatic results. Also, it is necessary to consume a predominately plant based diet to experience dramatic results. It is also not just consuming plants but a proportionately larger portion of the most nutritious plant foods. Also, it is necessary to control how much oil, especially free oil as opposed to oil from whole foods such as nuts and seeds the subjects consume. In the studies I am aware of these factors were not addressed.

Weight is an important factor as well. Numerous studies have shown that people who are overweight are significantly more prone to disease than slender people. A person eating predominately plant foods who is overweight is consuming too many high calorie plant foods such as oils, breads, sugary foods, potatoes, grains, avocados, nuts and seeds, and in some cases too much fruit. The base of one's diet needs to be leafy greens and cruciferous veggies, then add the others in moderation, omitting entirely sugary foods and almost all free flowing oil.

I have repeatedly observed people claiming they eat loads of vegetables and yet they do not have the golden coloring from carotenoid antioxidants that comes from a disease protecting plant-based diet. I have also found that in most cases people who are not losing weight from a plant-based diet are consuming too many high calorie foods. They are either unaware of the guidelines for a disease reducing plant-based diet or deceiving themselves if they believe they are eating a healthy plant-based diet.

Even though many scientific studies show that a proper vegan diet is the healthiest way to eat some vegans look pale and unhealthy. The reason for this is they are not getting enough of the necessary 45 nutrients to sustain health. Granola, energy bars, protein/energy drinks, breads, oils, and loads of brown rice just won't do the job. Being a vegan is the healthiest way to go but you better know what you are doing. By the way, I'm a vegan.

Robin

http://www.latimes.com/features/health/la-he-fruitveg27aug27,1,5481144.story?coll=la-headlines-health&ctrack=1&cset=true