DOES IT RUN IN MY FAMILY?

Okay so here’s a little of my family history…

• I never met my grandfather because he died before I was born of diabetes-related issues (who knows what exactly caused his death?)
• My grandmother suffered many years having strokes which left her completely debilitated.
• My uncle (my mother’s brother) had quadruple bypass surgery in the 1970s and then years later also had stents put in those same veins.
• My mother had Type 2 diabetes and died of coronary artery disease.
• My brother had quadruple bypass surgery a little under a year ago.
• I have had heart surgery and stents placed in two of my arteries.

BTW, all of these health issues are diet-related and preventable.

Just this past week another person close to me underwent quadruple bypass surgery and is in the hospital recuperating from having their chest opened and veins harvested out of their appendages. Within their family runs diabetes, cancer, and heart disease. 

All this makes me realize once again how important it is for me to care for my body and treat it with respect by eating a plant-based vegan diet. 

Does heart disease run in families? 

Well, I would have to answer that question by saying:  Yes and No.

Answer: Yes - As you can tell by my family history it does appear that diseases run within the family gene pool. While it may be true that diseases run within families genes it’s only one aspect of why it does. However, diseases also can be attributed to environmental factors. For example, if you are in a family and the normal foods you eat are beef & chicken every day of the week along with processed foods, sodas, milk & cheese then you have created an environment for those genetic diseases to grow. The genetic predisposition is there given it the right environment to grow and it will!

“Family history can shed light on whether one has an increased risk, but multiple autopsy studies of the young confirm that all who are consuming the standard western diet have established, albeit early, vascular disease. Family history loads the gun but lifestyle pulls the trigger.” 

- Caldwell B. Esselstyn, Jr. M.D. -

Answer: No - You have the ability to control the genetic factors by eating a plant-based vegan diet. Today anyone can look at numerous scientific studies published and determine that a plant-based vegan diet will protect you from developing diseases once thought of as hereditary. The science is there. Your well-being and quality of life is within your control simply by the foods you choose to eat. It’s simple, if you want to have a long healthy life then eat a plant-based vegan diet. 

“The epidemic of chronic, degenerative disease that is sweeping the western world cannot only be stopped, it can be reversed.
The power lies in the hands of the consumer,
in the choices we make about what to put on our plates.” 

- T. Colin Campbell M.D. -