Raw Foods; Moving To The Mainstream

The raw-foods lifestyle is becoming more accepted thanks to not only the obvious health benefits, but also the press celebrities are getting when talking about their experiences. High profile chefs have also created menus and restaurants around the concept of raw foods.

A raw foods diet, basically anything that's not heated over 118 degrees, has been reported to clear your skin, reduce risks of disease, increase energy, improve moods, drop excess weight, eliminate headaches, sinus problems and heartburn, and clear your mind among other benefits.

Eating vegan and mostly raw, I've experienced all the benefits mentioned above and more. Before becoming vegan, I would regularly feel exhausted after a meal (consisting of meat, dairy or processed foods) feeling like I needed a nap, had low energy levels, mood swings, and was overweight.

Some of the benefits I noticed most were almost boundless energy, weight loss, a consistently "good feeling" and an incredibly clear and vivid "mental clarity". It's hard to explain the "clear thinking" because I didn't feel "fuzzy" before, but in comparison, there is a distinctly clear difference in being able to focus with a clear mind.

I now taste the difference between fresh, organic foods and regular produce easily (organic tastes fresher, live and much better) and am able to notice the negative impacts of processed foods, meat, dairy, additives and preservatives clearly. I feel blessed to rarely get sick, don't worry about my weight, rarely get tired and have seen improvements in almost every area of my life.

Now over 12 years into my vegan lifestyle, to say I feel great is an understatement! A true blessing.

Read more at: In the Raw - Newsweek Health Beat - MSNBC.com

BTW, the article above quotes some research that indicates vegans may have low bone denisty and a nutritionist that believes the USDA food guidelines are sufficient. As well meaning as that may be, the research doesn't support those assertions. The study they refer to indicated that vegans has a lower bone density because they are lighter and consume less calories, not that they have risks of osteoperosis. In fact, the study mentions they will follow the subjects in the study to see if those risks develop. Also, USDA guidelines in the past have lead to our current health crisis and to say they are sufficient is careless and not founded in fact, in my opinion. Follow the links here in previous posts for more details. Of course, research well and make informed decisions.

What are your experiences?

To your best health!

Mark
http://vegandiet.blogspot.com

30% Higher Risk of Death Eating Meat

A 15 year study following approximately 30,000 postmenopausal women found that by substituting vegetable for animal protein (effectively removing or reducting meat and dairy consumption from their diet), their risks of coronary heart disease and cancer dropped 30%.

This shows a direct relation to the benefits of increasing consumption of vegetables and removing red meat and dairy, essentially a vegan diet.

Read more at:
Associations of dietary protein with disease and mortality- PubMed

Long Term Meat Consumption Causes Cancer

A recent study has connected the long term consumption of meat to various types of colon cancer. This isn't surprising, undigested meat collects in the colon over the years, preventing the colon from doing it's job, filtering out toxins and poisons. Most American's have 5-10 pounds of impacted waste, much of it undigested meat, in the colon at any one time! Here are some great explanations of why keeping the colon cleaned out and free of the impacts of long term meat consumption:

"The heavy mucus coating in the colon thickens and becomes a host of putrefaction. The blood capillaries to the colon begin to pick up the toxins, poisons and noxious debris as it seeps through the bowel wall. All tissues and organs of the body are now taking on toxic substances. Here is the beginning of true autointoxication on a physiological level. One autopsy revealed a colon to be 9 inches in diameter with a passage through it no larger than a pencil. The rest was caked up layer upon layer of encrusted fecal material. This accumulation can have the consistency of truck tire rubber. It’s that hard and black. Another autopsy revealed a stagnant colon to weigh in at an incredible 40 pounds."

From Tissue Cleansing Through Bowel Management, 1980, by Dr. Bernard Jensen, DC, ND, Ph.D.

"Most people who eat the standard American 'goo and glue' diet have about 5-10 pounds of matter stored in the colon. It's said that, according to the autopsy, John Wayne had 40 pounds of impacted fecal matter in his body at death. Elvis reportedly had 60 pounds."

Reported in the January 11, 1999 issue of USA Today

"In times past, knowledge of the bowel was more widespread and people were taught how to care for the bowel. Knowing the ways of keeping the bowel healthy, and in good shape, is the best way I know to keep away from the grip of disease and sickness."

Dr. Bernard Jensen, Tissue Cleansing Through Bowel Management

A vegan diet helps maintain a clean, regular and fast moving colon, and in turn normal weight and overall better health.

To you best health!

Mark
vegandiet.blogspot.com

Study: Eating More Fruits and Veggies Lowers Obesity, Weight Gain

A 12 year study of middle-aged women concluded that increasing intake of fruits and vegetables lowered the risk of obesity and weight gain in middle-aged women by 24-28%. The more they ate, the lower the risk. Read more at:

Study