Dallas County Living Well Magazine November/December 2018 | Page 34

CAN A PLANT-BASED DIET
REVERSE THE EFFECTS OF
A CHRONIC DISEASE?
T
here are a lot of myths sur-
rounding plant-based diets.
One says it’s not really that
healthy and it will only leave
you malnourished. Two, plant-
based diets won’t make you strong;
instead, it will only make you weak.
Three, plant-based diets won’t make
you feel full. It will only make you feel
hungrier and make you crave for more
food. Four, plant-based diets can’t
help people suffering from chronic dis-
eases like heart diseases and Type 2
diabetes. After all, plant-based diets
can’t adequately provide you the nutri-
ents you need to recover or heal from
your medical problems.
These are just myths. Numerous stud-
ies have already shown that plant-
based diets are actually healthier for
you. They can even help reverse some
of the bad effects
of chronic medical
problems. Contrary to what many peo-
ple think, plant-based diets are actual-
ly rich in minerals, vitamins, and nu-
trients and contain all that your body
needs to be healthy and fit.
Below are some of the beneficial ef-
fects of plant-based diets on chronic
diseases.
It can help control obesity. Obesi-
ty is a chronic disease that can lead
to numerous complications, including
diabetes, heart attack, stroke, and
arthritis. To reduce the risks of devel-
oping medical conditions associated
with obesity, you need to reduce your
weight.
A plant-based diet has the ability to
help you lose and maintain an ideal
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DALLAS COUNTY Living Well Magazine | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2018
body weight. It is very effective for
weight control since you’re burning
more calories by eating more fruits
and vegetables, compared to those
who eat meat and whose unused calo-
ries are converted to fat.
Those on a plant-based diet, are slim-
mer compared to those who eat meat.
They’re also less prone to chronic dis-
eases like heart diseases, hyperten-
sion, diabetes, as well as obesity.
It can help prevent and reverse di-
abetes. Plant-based diets help reduce
the risk for diabetes. A study reported
that those not on a plant-based diet
are at a higher risk of developing di-
abetes by about 74%, and if you’re
already diagnosed with diabetes, go-
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