Hypertension, cholesterol, sleep apnea… and now diabetes?
cholesterol, diabetes, high blood pressure, hypertension, reflux disease, sleep apnea, sleep apnoea
The other day I received this email:
Hello Chuck, Thank you for your e-mails, as I find them so informative. I have quite a few Medical Conditions and I feel like I’m eating myself to death. I know I won’t be able to go RAW 100% to start off with, but I need to lose weight sooner rather than later because my Doctor has told me I could start Diabetes Medication, which means tablets and then maybe Insulin Injections, and that is not a path I want to follow. I take medication for hypertension, reflux disease, cholesterol and 1/2 aspirin every day. I am not getting enough sleep because of the Sleep Apnoea and my blood pressure is getting higher because of the sleep apnoea. I seem to going round in circles. Will Raw Juicing (vegetables) help with the weight loss. I don’t exercise because I don’t have the energy. Because I have to ease my way into a new way of eating I would like to ask you for your help in working out an Eating Plan for me. I am so desperate for your help Chuck, so could you please contact me ASAP. I look forward to receiving an e-mail from you soon
After reading this troubling note, my heart just ached. I feel sincerely concerned. So much so I began to reply right then and there, but then decided to post my reply here in the hopes it could also benefit others:
Dear ___,
I sympathize with your condition. You’re listing a number of SCARY issues there. Hypertension is bad enough as it is, and your instinct is right… you do NOT want to get onto the diabetes track.
I have given your situation a lot of thought. I will offer what suggestions I can.
But there is only one person who can help you — and that is YOU.
YOU must take charge of your own health and well-being. No one else will.
Your health issues have gotten serious, and to make a difference you will have to get even more serious. You will have to want to, be willing to, and be ready to change. SOMETHING must change, since clearly the status quo is not working.
That you have written shows that you have probably reached that point. This is your HEALTH and LIFE we’re talking about. It is now in crisis, and should be your #1 priority.
Let’s begin today. NOW.
The first thing you MUST do is read this book: The China Study.
(The second thing you should do is read it again!)
By thinking about your diet as part of the equation, you’re on the right track.
Now I am not a doctor, so I am not able to give (and do not give) medical advice. That’s why it’s important to keep in close communication with your doctor. At the same time, do your own research and homework, so you can make informed choices.
It is certainly possible the issues you list are caused by a poor diet. It is my personal feeling that it is not too late for you to make a change, and that over the long term these issues can be managed through diet.
My father-in-law was eventually able to stop high blood pressure medication of 7 years by changing his diet.
Don’t worry about going 100% raw right away. Just begin by eating more fresh, whole fruits and vegetables… TODAY. Start easy with one meal a day. Every little bit will help.
You MUST start exercising. I know it’ll be tough, and it’s not always fun. Just walking will help a lot. Start with one walk per day around the outside of your house. After a couple weeks, perhaps extend it to a walk around the neighborhood. Gradually, over time, increase the length of your walks.
Your conditions have been several years in the making… So also be patient with yourself. There will be no quick fix. But with a little progress each day, you will get there.
The situation is serious. I wanted to make that clear (I think it is). But I also hope that my sense of ENCOURAGEMENT and HOPE came across.
You CAN do it. It won’t always be easy. But with “baby steps” in the right direction, it will get better. Keep at it.
Your health is the most valuable asset in your possession. Invest in it as your top priority. Because you deserve to enjoy a long, healthy, and happy life.
I hope it was not too strict or harsh sounding. I am just so deeply concerned.
Raw Food Health | Chuck September 16, 2009
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By Evelyn, September 17, 2009 @ 11:59 am
This is a very good response and I agree everything you suggested. You are right…the only person that can change the situation is “You, self”
Great advice and it is very helpful!