I’m not sure how I came across this story, but when I did, the only thing I could think of was, “What a huge win for the veggie community.” It’s true that Bill Clinton has been on a non-dairy plant based diet, and says he feels great. While he does indulge in fish on rare occasions, Clinton has cut out land animals and dairy. The result is a 24lb weight loss. What’s gives? Isn’t this the guy who loved McDonalds? Apparently, his recent heart trouble motivated him to change his lifestyle.
On February 11th, 2010, Clinton, who is 63, had a routine stent surgery after complaining of heart pains. This comes 6 years after doctors realized he had significant blockages in four coronary arteries and recommended a quadruple bypass surgery, which he had in 2004. While a stent surgery isn’t uncommon six years after a bypass surgery, what makes this story sad is that heart disease like this can be prevented.
This is not news to most vegans/vegetarians, but hopefully the rest of the world is catching on. In July 2009, The American Dietetic Association published a paper on their position on all plant based diets. Not only did they find that a vegan/vegetarian diet is appropriate for all populations, but it also confirms that vegans/vegetarians have a much lower rates of heart disease, cancer, diabetes and obesity.
Will this cause a big shift in the American diet? Alright, lets not get delusional. Watching Wolf Blitzer’s reaction to what Dr. Dean Ornish and Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn recommend, will bring you right back to reality. Wolf’s response makes the doctors sound like they’re recommending children to put down the milk and pick up the urine. Thankfully the veggie community knows their is life after milk! In fact, it’s a longer, healthier life.
What a wonderful man! Way to go, Bill.