Disease Proof : Disease Proof : Health & Nutrition News & Commentary : Dr. Joel Fuhrman

While taking his daily five-mile walk on Monday, 104 year old Joe Rollino was crossing Bay Ridge Parkway in Brooklyn when he was struck by a minivan. Sadly, he died a few hours later at a local hospital.

In the 1920s, Mr. Rollino was a strongman on Coney Island billed as “The World’s Strongest Man.” He got his start in boxing and bodybuilding at age 10. Mr. Rollino became a vegetarian in his teens and firmly believed in fueling the body with natural, health-promoting foods.

He once lifted 475 lbs. with his teeth, 635 lbs. with one finger, and 3200 lbs. with his back. Even more astounding is that he did all this standing at 5’4” and weighing less than 150 lbs. 

Mr. Rollino was not only strong and muscular, he was agile. In the 1920s, he boxed as “Kid Dundee,” often against boxers 50 pounds heavier than he was. He was a World War II veteran, and he swam daily laps in the ocean year-round. He was a classic example of all-around fitness and good nutrition. Joe Rollino, like other fit nutritarians such as Herbert Shelton and Jack LaLanne occasionally corresponded with Dr. Fuhrman on the subject of nutrition. These men provide proof that aging doesn’t have to mean heart disease, diabetes, dementia, and physical fragility.

On his 103^rd birthday, Joe Rollino put a quarter between his teeth and bent it with his fingers. He skipped the cake.

March 19, 2010 would have been his 105^th birthday. Imagine how long he could have lived. 

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/12/nyregion/12ironman.html?ref=nyregion

http://www.thesweetscience.com/boxing-article/5769/joe-rolino-103-still-fit-fiery/

http://weightlifting.org/aobsnews/aobsnews.htm

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(Image credit: Fakeelvis @Flickr)

Three recent studies document that consumption of processed foods increase odds of depression, and not only that, but those high protein, high fat diets (high in animal products) are also linked with more depression. The diet to protect against depression – that is simple, a high nutrient, plant-based diet outlined in my books, Eat for Health and Eat to Live. 

In one study, middle-aged subjects were categorized by their dietary patterns based on how much “whole” or “processed” food they consumed. The high processed foods group was characterized by high intake of sweetened desserts, fried food, processed meat, refined grains, and high-fat dairy products. Five years later, the researchers evaluated how many of the subjects had reported depression symptoms.

Subjects who ate the most whole foods had the lowest odds of depression, and those who ate the most processed foods had the highest odds of depression – 60% increased odds compared to those who ate the least amount of processed foods.¹

Another study compared the effects of low-fat plant-based diet and low-carbohydrate animal-product-rich diet on mood in overweight women. Although both groups lost similar amounts of weight over one year, measures of mental health and mood only improved in the low-fat group. The low-carb dieters eating more fat and animal products had higher depression scores. The authors also cited previous human studies in which high protein, low-carbohydrate diets have resulted in cognitive impairment.²

A third study measured scores of depression before and after removing meat, poultry, and fish from subjects normally eating a typical American diet. Indicators of depression significantly decreased after removing all the animal products and shifting to a plant-based diet for 2 weeks. ³

Nutrition is crucial for regulating mood – high oxidative stress in the brain and low levels of several micronutrients have also been linked to depression.⁴  

These studies are a reminder that what we eat affects not only our physical health but our mental health as well. Combine great diet with light therapy, exercise, sufficient Vitamin D and the right fatty acid balance for the brain, and you have my protocol to beat depression. 

References:

1. Akbaraly TN et al. Dietary pattern and depressive symptoms in middle age. Br J Psychiatry. 2009 Nov;195(5):408-13.

2. Brinkworth et al. Long-term Effects of a Very Low-Carbohydrate Diet

and a Low-Fat Diet on Mood and Cognitive Function. Arch Intern Med. 2009;169(20):1873-1880

3. Beezhold BL et al. Preliminary evidence that vegetarian diet improves mood. American Public Health Association 2009 National Meeting, Abstract 206464. 

4. Leung BM, Kaplan BJ. Perinatal depression: prevalence, risks, and the nutrition link--a review of the literature. J Am Diet Assoc. 2009 Sep;109(9):1566-75.

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Ready for a little Eating to Live on the Outside? I know, you can hardly contain yourself! Okay, this week we’re "going" to HanGawi, a Korean vegetarian restaurant in the heart of New York City.

And it looks pretty good. Not a knockout, but workable. After flipping through the internet menu, here’s what I’d consider ordering. Check it out:

HanGawi Salad

• Mixed greens, diced tomatoes and sesame dressing; works for me, but dressing on the side.

Avocado Lettuce Salad

• Avocado, lettuce and ginger carrot dressing; same deal with the dressing.

Mango Pear Salad

• Mango and pear; it doesn’t say exactly what’s in it, but I think that’s a good guess.

Seaweed Salad

• Assorted seaweeds and lemon dressing; provided the seaweed isn’t salty, I’m cool with it.

Ginseng Salad

• Vegetables, shredded ginseng roots, bean paste and lemon dressing; I’m digging it.

Tofu Asparagus Salad

• Tofu and asparagus; again, another guess, but I like it.

Todok Salad

• Todok, watercress, cabbage, carrots, bean paste and lemon dressing; I’ve never had todok, but I’d give it a whirl!

Tofu and Mushrooms Galore in Lemon Ginger Sauce

• Tofu, mushrooms and lemon ginger sauce; tofu isn’t my favorite thing, but this sounds good.

Mushrooms and Garlic Medley

• Sautéed mushrooms, vegetables and garlic sauce; the sautéing is a little iffy, but the veggies kick butt!

Mixed Vegetarian Autumn Rolls

• Vegetables, tofu, bean paste, cold lettuce and sesame leaves; interesting, I’ve never eaten sesame leaves.

Spicy Chili Mushrooms

• Mixed mushrooms and spicy sauce; I love mushrooms!

HanGawi Stone Bowl Lunch

• Chestnuts, dates, pine nuts, read beans, mushrooms and rice; the rice isn’t great, but the rest of the stuff is awesome.

Vegetarian Stone Bowl Rice

• Vegetables, rice and hot chili paste; same deal with the rice.

Mountain Vegetables and Greens in Wooden Bowl

• Mountain vegetable, greens, rice and hot chili paste; I’m not sure what mountain vegetables are, but I’d like to find out!

Mongolian Hot Pot

• Wild bracken shoots, mushrooms and mixed vegetables; wild bracken shoots, very intriguing.

Like I said, HanGawi is pretty good. Some of the rice and sautéing might turn you off, but I can deal with it. My top choices would be either the HanGawi Salad or the Mountain Vegetables and Greens.

But what about you? What would you order? Scope out HanGawi’s menu and let me know how you handle Eating to Live on the Outside. Just make a comment! Until then, eat well. Peace.

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I’m excited! This week Eating to Live on the Outside takes a long “trip” all the way to Australia. I’m “off” to Magic Apple, a vegetarian restaurant from the land down under touting good wholesome food. So, how does it stack up? Its okay. Here’s a quick list of stuff that caught my eye.

Tabouleh

• Iron rich parsley, bourghal, Q’s, tomatoes, springys, black pepper, lemon juice and garlic; I have no idea what “Q’s” or “springys” are, but it still looks good. I’ve had Tabouleh before. I like it.

Tamari/Ginger Rice Salad

• Brown rice, soy, roasted peanuts and sesames, ginger, red caps, currants and springys; I can deal with the rice, but I can’t figure out what “red caps” are.

Spinach & Tofu Salad

• Silver beet, soy-marinated tofu, dribbled with toasted sesame seed oil and baked soy-marinated sunflower seeds; I can handle the oil. Beets are always a major plus.

Roasted and Greens Salad

• Roasted carrot, pumpkin, beetroot tossed in garlic, sea salt, black pepper and cumin seeds mixed with English spinach, wild rocket, cauliflower and snow peas; if you drop the salt, this is one is pretty impressive. Tons of veggies! But I have no idea what “wild rocket” is.

Salsa/Mediterranean

• Capsys, zucchinis, tomatoes, cucumber, red onion in olive oil, cayenne and garlic; not bad, hopefully a “capsys” is something good.

First let me say this. If there are any Aussies out there, please help me out with the translations, my head is spinning. As for what I’d order. I like the Roasted and Greens Salad, just too much good stuff for me to pass up, but what about you? What do you like? Do you speak Australian?

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Good news veg-heads! A new study in the British Journal of Cancer, involving more than 61,000 people—meat eaters and vegetarians—revealed vegetarians and vegans had lower risk of certain types of blood cancer, such as leukemia, multiple myeloma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Vegetarians are 12 percent less likely to develop cancer than meat eaters and the advantage is particularly marked when it comes to cancers of the blood, British researchers said on Wednesday.

Past research has shown that eating lots of red or processed meat is linked to a higher rate of stomach cancer and the new study, involving more than 60,000 people, did confirm a lower risk of both stomach and bladder cancer.

But the most striking and surprising difference was in cancers of the blood -- such as leukemia, multiple myeloma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma -- where the risk of disease was 45 percent lower in vegetarians than in meat eaters.

Via Reuters.

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Geez, I know people who do all three—in one sitting! If you know someone like this too, show them this.

New research in the International Journal of Cancer suggests lifestyle changes—such as eating less red meat, not smoking, avoiding alcohol and exercising—may lower your risk of colon cancer.

Scientists analyzed 100 studies on colon cancer risk, finding that high intake of red and processed meats, smoking, obesity and diabetes were associated with a 20% increased in the risk.

As for alcohol, people averaging one drink or more each day had a 60% higher risk of cancer. However, people who exercised regularly were 20% less likely to develop colorectal cancer.

Makes sense! Especially since last week a report came out saying vegetarians—i.e. people who don’t eat meat—have less cancer than meat eaters.

And previous findings reveal smoking and drinking heighten risk of bowel cancer, but eating fruits and vegetables, protect against cancer. Sweet!

Via Reuters.

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New findings in the British Journal of Cancer reveal of the 60,000 Britons studied those who were vegetarian—half of them—had a lower risk of developing cancer, compared to meat-eaters. The research followed participants for 12.2 years, with 3,350 incidences of cancer. The number of meat-ears who developed cancer was 2,204 and 829 among vegetarians—only 317 fish-eaters got cancer. Overall, vegetarians were 12% less likely to get cancer; Medical News Today reports.

But vegetarian and vegan diets most often aren’t ideal. Dr. Fuhrman points out many vegans and vegetarians are often deficient in things like omega-3’s, found in fish. Dr. Fuhrman’s DHA Purity can help. It’s derived from microalgae and supplies plenty of brain-building omega–3 fatty acids.

In related news, animal fat was shown to raise the risk of developing pancreatic cancer, while leafy green vegetables—such as kale and cabbage—help fight and protect against cancer.

UPDATE: Dr. Fuhrman had some additional thoughts: 

A vegan diet can be ideal if well designed as can be a diet with a small amount of animal products, such as one or two servings a week. A nutritarian diet is designed to reverse disease and promote longer life, and features:

• Adequate depth and variety of nutrient-rich natural foods
  

• Limited animal products, but adequate ALA/EPA/DHA
  

• Adequate whole food plant fats and proteins from seeds, nuts and beans
  

• High intake of green and cruciferous vegetables
  

• Careful attention to supplements or lab tests to assure no deficiencies are present with genetic variation of absorption and variable needs

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It’s a pretty simple idea. Eating a lot of meat is unhealthy. Raising a lot of meat whacks the environment with carbon dioxide. So a new movement called Meat Free Monday is encouraging people to eat vegetarian one day a week. Sir Paul McCartney is a big fan:

If you’re reading this blog, you already have a bunch of meat free days, but convincing our beef loving world to give up meat—even for a day—is going to be hard. But some people have high hopes. Chicago’s Health Commissioner wants all Chicagoans to go vegetarian.

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New research in the Archives of Internal Medicine claim plant-based diets promote weight-loss and reduce risk of heart disease. For the study, participants—overweight men and women with high LDL—were fed a diet rich in vegetables, nuts and fruits or a typical low-fat diet. Findings revealed both groups lost weight, but people on the vegetable-based diet had better cholesterol levels and lower blood pressure. Here are Dr. Fuhrman’s thoughts on the study:

It’s a pretty good effort. They are getting closer to the ideal diet—a nutritarian diet—by studying a vegetarian diet with reduction of flour and other high glycemic carbohydrates.

Of course, the results are pretty good, but it is evident these researchers lack the knowledge and clinical experience designing a diet-style for nutritional excellence.

We have a pilot study coming out shortly with results that dwarf this, but clearly we at the Eat Right America Foundation are in need of funding to begin our larger study on diabetics.

Via Newswise.

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Certainly a plant-based diet which minimizes animal products is the best approach for losing weight, preventing and reversing disease, and optimizing health. However, those following a vegetarian or vegan diet, and those not consuming fatty fish like salmon each week, should be aware of recent studies that suggest they may be deficient in a critical and essential nutrient, especially EPA & DHA, the long-chain omega-3 fatty acids.

Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) is an omega-3 fat and is the precursor of the longer chain omega 3 fats eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). EPA and to a lesser extent DHA can be made in the body from ALA. Primary sources of these fatty acids are certain fish and seafood.

As a result, vegetarian, and especially vegan, diets provide little EPA and DHA directly. A recent study reviewed the varying dietary fat intake across vegetarians, vegans, omnivores, and semi omnivores and its impact on essential omega-3 fatty acid availability in tissues. It concluded that vegetarians were left with reduced levels of omega-3 and recommended that they consume additional direct sources of EPA and DHA, regardless of age or gender, for physical, mental and neurological health benefits.1

In addition, ALA, EPA, and DHA are especially important for the prevention of certain cancers, particularly those of the breast and colon, and possibly of the uterus and the skin, and are likely to reduce the risk of postpartum depression, manic-depressive psychosis, dementias, Parkinson's, hypertension, toxemia, diabetes, and to a certain extent, age-related macular degeneration.2

Although vegetarian diets are generally lower in total fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol than are non-vegetarian diets and may appear to offer cardiovascular health benefits due to higher intakes of antioxidants and fiber, the lack of direct EPA or DHA dietary sources may cause an adverse effect.3,4

With all of this documented research, it is not surprising that when I draw blood for fatty acid analysis on many of my patients, I find that a large percentage of individuals who do not eat fish or seafood regularly do not have optimal levels of DHA, even those eating walnuts and flaxseeds on a regular basis. I often see patients eating otherwise excellent diets with itchy dry skin, seborrheac dermatitis and other signs of DHA deficiency.

Although, there are some vegans and vegetarians regularly consuming walnuts and flaxseeds (which supply adequate ALA) may produce enough DHA on their own and may not require supplementation. However, because this issue is so imperative to their health it should be confirmed with a blood test before assuming that the conversion level is adequate. In order to assure optimal production of DHA fat, without recommending that the consumption of fish or refined fish oils, I recommend taking a vegetable sourced DHA supplement. DHA alone can deliver the same benefits of fish oil, since the intake of DHA can cause a natural retro-conversion to EPA internally.

Laboratory cultivated DHA is made from microalgae and is a pure form of DHA without environmental contamination. It is grown in the laboratory, not collected in the wild. It has no mercury or other toxins, which is a concern even for non-vegans who are cautious about eating fish or seafood.

DHA has been shown to protect against dementia, depression, inflammatory diseases, attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), allergies, and to offer significant benefits for overall cardiovascular health.

There are other problems with consuming fish oils. The main problem is that the fat turns rancid as it sits on store shelves. As a result, many people complain of burping, indigestion, a foul taste, and long lasting fish-breath. I have also observed that rancidity of this fish fat can place a stress on the liver. Patients of mine have had blood tests showing abnormal liver function when consuming fish oil in significant amounts and then have had these tests return to normal when the fish oils were stopped.

Fortunately, vegetable derived DHA, from microalgae, is an alternative. However, even algae derived DHA can become rancid if not cared for properly. We go through great lengths to deliver the purest and freshest DHA product available on the market today. My DHA Purity is manufactured under strict conditions to ensure purity. Every step of the way, from production to packaging, transportation and storage, this product is kept refrigerated and handled to ensure optimal freshness.

In conjunction with a high nutrient, plant-based diet, I advise all people take a daily DHA supplement from a clean source. Early in life, DHA is supplied via the placenta and from breast milk. While adequate DHA is particularly important for pregnant and nursing women and young children, it is beneficial for all ages!

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