Movie Fat, Sick and nearly Dead

[itself]

So my older brother emails me that he saw this movie, and that he is going vegan. Ok, you don't know my bro but he is a meat guy and loves his ice cream. Also on all sorts of meds like cholesterol, blood pressure, etc. said he will get off all the medicines now with his new diet.

Check the movie out, it's worthwhile. We have been using our Vitamix for the exact purpose and I happen to be the only one in my family on zero medications.

He said to check out Forks Over Knives as well.

Good health to you all!

[Sylvia]

So my older brother emails me that he saw this movie, and that he is going vegan. Ok, you don't know my bro but he is a meat guy and loves his ice cream. Also on all sorts of meds like cholesterol, blood pressure, etc. said he will get off all the medicines now with his new diet.

Check the movie out, it's worthwhile. We have been using our Vitamix for the exact purpose and I happen to be the only one in my family on zero medications.

He said to check out Forks Over Knives as well.

Good health to you all!

This is the movie that convinced me to try juicing!! I haven't been able to do the juice fast, but I purchased a juicer, and I take juice to work with me every day. It is really a great way to get more dark green veggies into your diet. Between juicing, watching my diet and using my spin bike, I've lost 7 lbs since the first of the year.

You can watch the movie on Hulu for free. http://www.hulu.com/watch/289122

[shootingstar]

I appreciate the vegan approach for anyone. Would you feel differently if it was a smaller scale farmer raising their animals more humanely? And also just cutting back a lot of meat in a diet long term?

Let us know itself how your brother fares! It's good he got jolted into doing something.

[Crankin]

While I don't doubt the benefit of healthy diet and exercise to reverse CAD, or metabolic syndrome, I think it's a bit of pseudo science to attribute this all to "juicing."
Some people need to take "all those medicines" despite extensive endurance exercise, healthy eating, and lifestyle. To say you are going to get off of them, is an admirable goal, but I hope your brother has had an extensive physical with a good cardiologist, that includes a stress test. Preferably, one with dye that would show any blockages that are a result of his unhealthy lifestyle. If he's that much of a couch potato, he might be a walking time bomb, with no symptoms.

[goldfinch]

I'm with Crankin.

Your brother can't count on a change, though it may help to change his diet there are no guarantees. I eat a relatively low fat diet with very little meat. High fat, low fat, high carb, low carb, it doesn't seem to effect my cholesterol levels much at all. I still have to take the drugs. Even when I went ultra low fat my cholesterol levels didn't drop enough to drop the meds.

My BP is high. Exercise made no difference at all. I eat a low salt diet. It is a big enough problem that I think I am going to have to change my BP meds as the old ones are not working quite as well as they once did. And this is exercising more than I have ever exercised in my life and this is being thinner than I have been since 1980. My sister is a hair taller than I am and weighs almost twice what I weigh. Her BP is low.

[OakLeaf]

I'm with Crankin on the general principles, but I do have to say, I thought I ate a healthy diet, but vastly increasing the amount of calories I get from raw vegetables makes an ENORMOUS difference in how I feel. And there's no easier way to get a whole lot of calories from raw vegetables than juicing. Otherwise, there's really too much fiber to even eat that much, let alone absorb it all.

[itself]

For me, my approach to food has been balance. I was a vegetarian, but tested positive to a soy allergy 15 years ago, I eat all hormone free meat, and have not eaten red meat for 30 years. You do have to wonder about genes and what we inherit.

All I know is that it will probably save my brothers life. Better late than never.

[Sylvia]

For me, my approach to food has been balance. I was a vegetarian, but tested positive to a soy allergy 15 years ago, I eat all hormone free meat, and have not eaten red meat for 30 years. You do have to wonder about genes and what we inherit.

All I know is that it will probably save my brothers life. Better late than never.

The movie says you need to be supervised by a doctor if you are on medication before doing a 10 day juice fast. So if your brother is doing a juice fast, I'm presuming he's checking in with his doctor. That said, I think it is great that he is making an attempt to change, improve his diet and become healthy. That in and of itself is really HUGE for many of us.

[Crankin]

My comments stem from the fact that there are some people, as Itself alluded to, where genetics trump everything when dealing with these issues and others, like Goldfinch, and myself somewhat, where dietary changes have made no difference. I'm not on any medication, but at age 35 my total cholesterol was 160. At 40 it was 180. At 45, it was 245! I was exercising vigorously and eating well, although not as well as I do now. I started cycling and just from that (and giving up on my old forms of exercise) it went down to 220. It hasn't gone down much from that, about 217. However, it did raise my HDL to such a high level (70-100), that my ratio is excellent and no doctor will think of putting me on meds, despite the overall total that is about 20 points too high. I've tried every type of eating and nothing changes.
On the other hand, no amount of changes in diet/exercise would have prevented my DH from having 2 80% blockages, after 5 years of cycling 3-4K a year, and making huge dietary changes, and being on bp and cholesterol lowering drugs for a year. Maybe, if he had started when he was 18; the genetics were so bad, we are just waiting for all 3 of his siblings to have some "event," as they are all overweight, 2 are extremely sedentary, and they don't eat well, either.

[Miranda]

:D
So my older brother emails me that he saw this movie, and that he is going vegan. Ok, you don't know my bro but he is a meat guy and loves his ice cream. Also on all sorts of meds like cholesterol, blood pressure, etc. said he will get off all the medicines now with his new diet.

Check the movie out, it's worthwhile. We have been using our Vitamix for the exact purpose and I happen to be the only one in my family on zero medications.

He said to check out Forks Over Knives as well.

Good health to you all!

That documentary... was excellent!

I love the fact that it's a long term medical study. Some people get turned off when they hear someone is a vegan or vegatarian because they think they are going to get an animal rights lecture, and turn a deaf ear to the health benefits. Now don't get me wrong, I DO love animals! And feel better not eating something that I know had to endure the types of suffering that goes on in factor farms. But my primary objective on my plant eating journey was my health.

Also something to check out is: "Food Inc". I found this for free at my local vid store under the education section and the library had it (same with Forks Over Knives and the juicing guy's vid). This book/vid is also taught in the children's school. Which I find says a lot about our society's sad state of health.

This book is older, and you must get past the profanity, and sarcasim, but it's called "Skinny B*tch"...there is also a "Skinny B*stard" version. I know, crazy title! But besides the focus on veganism it hits some points about the chemicals in our foods, and the food industry. Free at the library as well.

I'm reading "Thrive" at the moment, which is a vegan athlete book. Love it's wholistic approach. And the Paleo book, just because my gym cyclists friend is doing this, and I want to be able to compare to discuss. Nice article that gives highlights some pros and cons of both: http://experiencelife.com/article/paleo-vs-vegan/ (google paleo vs vegan life expericne if the link doesn't work, article May 2012).

And last on my reading list, when my library hold comes in is "Salt Sugar Fat", release Feb 2012...don't think it's vegan based but basically talks about the food industry etc...and again it moves a person towards a whole foods type diet, vs the processed icky stuff.

Finally thought on juicing... my gf has the one in the vid and I wondered if I would tire of putting the pieces together and cleaning it...so as a starting point I got a NutriBullet... http://www.nutribullet.com/ ...I used a 20% off coupon for BedBathBeyound w/their great return policy and had nothing to lose... I LOVE it! ...so simple AND you get the fiber benefits, mininal clean up.

Please let us know how your brother does! I agree with him...one reason for the veggie life for me is I am sick of pills, their costs, side effects, etc. Best of Luck with it all!:)

p.s. THANKS for your post...can you tell this is something near and dear to my heart that I'm excited about hahahha:D

[malkin]

Does anyone else find the use of the word "juicing" especially ironic in this context?

[Crankin]

I just saw a whole segment on the news about how "juicing" is really popular now, but there's little scientific evidence that it does anything. It was the same for all of the other things they talked about.
Eat less and exercise more. That was the upshot about losing weight.
I've always agreed with this. Yes, some people need real education about what healthy eating is, and a lot of behavioral changes to make this happen.

[OakLeaf]

Well, all the "evidence" I need is how I feel after drinking a fresh raw juice or eating a meal from the raw food restaurant.

The only way I can describe it is "bright." Not in an intellectual sense, but just in terms of how it feels like every cell in my body is energized and cleaned.

Besides the up-front cost of a juicer, I think the biggest barrier for most people is just looking at, and affording, the volume of whole vegetables it takes to get a significant amount of calories. That ought to tell us all something right there. Very, very few of us get the amount of vegetables we need - including those of us who try to eat healthy and even paleo folks who eat meat and nuts daily rather than just a few times a week.

[itself]

Go to youtube and watch Charlotte Gerson on Cancer and Disease. She is a beautiful 90 year old woman!!!

[itself]

My comments stem from the fact that there are some people, as Itself alluded to, where genetics trump everything when dealing with these issues and others, like Goldfinch, and myself somewhat, where dietary changes have made no difference. I'm not on any medication, but at age 35 my total cholesterol was 160. At 40 it was 180. At 45, it was 245! I was exercising vigorously and eating well, although not as well as I do now. I started cycling and just from that (and giving up on my old forms of exercise) it went down to 220. It hasn't gone down much from that, about 217. However, it did raise my HDL to such a high level (70-100), that my ratio is excellent and no doctor will think of putting me on meds, despite the overall total that is about 20 points too high. I've tried every type of eating and nothing changes.
On the other hand, no amount of changes in diet/exercise would have prevented my DH from having 2 80% blockages, after 5 years of cycling 3-4K a year, and making huge dietary changes, and being on bp and cholesterol lowering drugs for a year. Maybe, if he had started when he was 18; the genetics were so bad, we are just waiting for all 3 of his siblings to have some "event," as they are all overweight, 2 are extremely sedentary, and they don't eat well, either.

My cholesterol is also 225, but my NP said that my HDL and LDL are so ridiculously good that I need not worry. There is some thought around the total number having less importance.

[Catrin]

My cholesterol is also 225, but my NP said that my HDL and LDL are so ridiculously good that I need not worry. There is some thought around the total number having less importance.

Same here, though my total is 218. my ratios are fantastic however, and all my doctors say the ratio is more important. My Trig. and HDL are both much, much better than when I was on a conventional low fat diet.

[Crankin]

I know the total number is not as important, but I still would like to get it down. I've read some recent stuff that the protective value of the high HDL/good ratio is now being questioned. My triglycerides are average and my LDL is in the OK range.
Well, I must be weird as I don't feel different at all with any change of diet, or eating pattern. The only thing I feel is sick if I eat fried food or drink too much alcohol! I am sensitive (not allergic) to some dairy, but I hardly eat any of it. OK, the one change I notice is I gain at least 2 pounds if I have salty food (especially Asian cuisines).
And last year, my total cholesterol shot up about 50 points when I had been eating Paleo. It went back down within 8 weeks when I returned to my normal pattern. I still restrict my carbs from what I *really* would like, and I did like the Paleo way of eating. Obviously, it didn't like me, since that was the only thing about my habits that had changed.

[GLC1968]

Same here, though my total is 218. my ratios are fantastic however, and all my doctors say the ratio is more important. My Trig. and HDL are both much, much better than when I was on a conventional low fat diet.

Same for me too. My total is 224 but everything else is fantastic.

When I was on a more traditional diet, my total never topped out over 150 (ever) and my trigs were acceptable, but my HDL was low. My doc actually likes my new profile MUCH better.

I was actually praised for raising my total cholesterol 75 points!

[Catrin]

Same for me too. My total is 224 but everything else is fantastic.

When I was on a more traditional diet, my total never topped out over 150 (ever) and my trigs were acceptable, but my HDL was low. My doc actually likes my new profile MUCH better.

I was actually praised for raising my total cholesterol 75 points!

mg HDL was basically non existent before going Paleo and my trigs are also much better.

[Crankin]

It's funny, my ob-gyn always notes my high total and sys "talk to your pcp." And she's a triathlete who lost 100 lbs. from exercising when she became diabetic! No mention of the high HDL. My PCP thinks it's great, but I feel an undercurrent of like "you must be a freak of nature." One doctor did say she wishes she could bottle up my method of getting my HDL so high.
MY HDL has ranged between 65 and 81. I think last year it was 72.

[Catrin]

It's funny, my ob-gyn always notes my high total and sys "talk to your pcp." And she's a triathlete who lost 100 lbs. from exercising when she became diabetic! No mention of the high HDL. My PCP thinks it's great, but I feel an undercurrent of like "you must be a freak of nature." One doctor did say she wishes she could bottle up my method of getting my HDL so high.
MY HDL has ranged between 65 and 81. I think last year it was 72.

I hear you - back in the day when I had lost my first 40 pounds on a conventional low-fat diet, my HDL was 10 :eek: (it never got over 35 in the next couple of years. NOW it is 61. Our different experiences (my feeling so different Paleo rather than a more conventional diet) just goes to show how different our bodies are and how important for us that we find what works for us. What works for someone else might not necessarily work for us & vice versa.

[IBrakeforPastry]

And there's no easier way to get a whole lot of calories from raw vegetables than juicing. Otherwise, there's really too much fiber to even eat that much, let alone absorb it all.

Can you explain this? I've only juiced oranges and I'm unfamiliar with vegetable juicing. I guess there's more to it than just throwing it all in a blender or food processor? I think I might want to try this!

[OakLeaf]

The only juicer I have any experience with is a Champion. Sold it years ago, wish now I'd kept it. Nowadays there are several quality brands with similar mechanisms. Basically, they slowly masticate the vegetables so as not to heat them, then press them through a screen, so the juice comes out the bottom and the fiber comes out the end.

Nothing wrong with throwing it all in the blender, but then all the fiber stays in and it can be hard to digest if you drink a lot of it.

[IBrakeforPastry]

Thanks, OakLeaf. The fiber has it's own benefits, but it sounds like you don't want too much of it so you can drink more juice. Is that right?

[Miranda]

The cholesterol levels of people eating the meat type Paleo diet does make me curious. I wonder if my friend that's doing it has had his checked, hmm. I have not had mine checked in a while, but I assume it would be good.

I love my little NutriBullet gadget that keeps the fiber in it. One reason I was never a juice drinker before is that the quick absorption and increase in my blood sugar would always make me sick.

I know you can use a bag to help dispose of the bits spit out (w/juicer), but it just looked like a lot of waste and clean up. OTT, my bestie seems to love hers (juicer machine) tho.

[Sylvia]

Can you explain this? I've only juiced oranges and I'm unfamiliar with vegetable juicing. I guess there's more to it than just throwing it all in a blender or food processor? I think I might want to try this!


From what I have seen there are three main types of juicers: centrifugal juicers, masticating juicers and juice presses. Most of the good quality juicers that I've seen within a reasonable price range ( $400 or less) are centrifugal or masticating. Centrifugal, as the name implies, uses centrifugal force to force the juice out. They are much louder. The guy in the movie Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead, promotes the Breville juicers which seem to be mostly (if not all) centrifugal juicers. The masticating juicers grind or chew up the fruit/veggie and forces the juice out. They are generally quieter. The juicer I have, the Omega 8006, is one of these.

I believe the reason behind juicing is to concentrate the nutrients by removing the pulp. Part of the reason I started juicing after watching this movie was I wanted to add more dark green leafy veggies to my smoothies. Something besides just spinach. I did try Kale or Chard in my smoothie and found it had way to much pulp which caused me problems. Now I mostly juice and love it.

One more thing, for many people getting a good quality juicer can be expensive. And if this is the case, I recommend starting out with smoothies. Many people who juice also do smoothies. I started with making smoothies made with banana, some fruit of my choice, spinach, some protein powder and maybe soymilk or water. I would even throw in some ground ginger or cinnamon. You don't even need an expensive blender. I use just an Oster blender. The real point for me was to try to eat healthier.

[Sylvia]

For those who might be interested in juicing greens, but aren't quite ready to be die-hard, here (http://pinterest.com/pin/217087644510494911/)is an infographic guide to juicing greens.
It lists different greens to try in steps, so you can work up to the tougher ones. I didn't have this guide when I started
and went pretty quickly to juicing kale, collards and chard (which seems to be missing on the chart).

[OakLeaf]

it just looked like a lot of waste and clean up.

That's why you want a quality juicer - that will (1) grind the vegetables slowly so as not to heat them, (2) grind them thoroughly to break up all the cell walls, and (3) press the mash under high pressure to extract the most juice possible. There's little waste, because what comes out of the end of the juicer was just going to come out of the end of you, anyway :p ... and if you ate it, it would take a lot of the nutrients with it. So effectively, juicing with a quality appliance could really be *less* wasteful than eating the whole veggies.

And I *always* read the cleaning instructions before investing in a kitchen appliance of any kind. Some are easy, some not so much. If a juicer doesn't disassemble to the point where the only real effort is brushing out the screen, I wouldn't buy it, either.

[itself]

The centrifugal juicers are not good. Dr Gerson uses the Norwalk juicer, but this is way overpriced. I have been looking at the Champion juicer and the Samson juicer and will be purchasing the Samson. Dr Gerson believes in using a juicer to remove the fiber so that the fiber doesn't fill you up, and thus you can drink more juice. The Vitamix I have is gret for protein drinks but over oxidizes fruits and vegetables.

[Sylvia]

There are a number of good reviews of juicers on YouTube. So if you want to see how easy they are to use or to clean or which juicers are better at juicing fruits or veggies, you might check there. I found this guy's videos (https://www.youtube.com/user/rawfoods) helpful and he sells a number of juicers online.

You can also read the reviews on Amazon for specific juicers too.

[itself]

Yes, the Breville Juice Fountain Crush is the only one in their line that is not a centrifugal juicer. For me, companies like Breville are "the jack of all trades, and master of none." They do have a ten year warrantee on this juicer, and it is SUPER nice! But I am still leaning towards the Samson as this is all they make, and they have a great reputation.

[OakLeaf]

I've stayed away from Breville appliances ever since the espresso maker I bought DH one Christmas started putting out black smoke on its second use ... and company support, after taking his phone number "in case we get disconnected," never called him back after they were mysteriously disconnected ...