Sometime during the year 2014, I experienced a Blood Clot. More specifically, it was my fourth experience with a Blood Clot and by-far the most memorable and debilitating. I don't believe it was described as a, "Pulmonary Embolism," by the Physicians. As I understand, a fragment broke free, passed through my heart and became lodged between my right heart valve and left lung. The moment it occurred is quite memorable, to say the least.
I realized it was time for reflection and to make some life changes because that Blood Clot almost, "Took me out". I was a little obese, by U.S. standards. Working as a Delivery Driver, there was significant activity in my life accompanied by a lot of Driving. My diet was terrible because I was always, "On the Go". Bloodwork revealed an autoimmune disease called Anti-Phospholipid Syndrome (APS). Essentially, my immune system for some reason started attacking the elements that prevents the blood from Clotting or, "Keeps the blood Viscous". I realized the last reflection point would be the most difficult to overcome. The clot was logged in a bad spot.
I don't know exactly where I got started with my reading, but my attention began to focus on consuming information about diet. The China Study, Forks Over Knives, and the Plant Paradox had a few contradictions, but I read them carefully. It didn't take long for me to exclude a lot of information from the Plant Paradox, which is something I read later in my journey to where I am.
With a CDL, Driver's must pass a physical. I know there are a lot of unhealthy Drivers in the Transportation Industry. I would see them often and wonder how they were passing their Physicals. My health would change often but I was maintaining mine. My weight was between 180 and 195 pounds, but my blood pressure was gradually worsening. It seems clear, it was a result of the Clot growing. My oxygen saturation was borderline but declining. It usually was noted between 92 and 94. My blood pressure was narrowly passing at 135-140/90. I was declining and knew-it. Activity was becoming more difficult.
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I cannot write that a Vegan Diet healed me, but I can write that it kept me going longer than I expected. Eventually the Clot expanded to the point where the right valve was completely blocked, and the left lung was cut-off. After seeing several Cardiologists, I made it to one willing to extract the Clot. The surgery was a success. Unfortunately, shortly after recovering from the surgery, I had a fifth Blood Clot form.
Another moment of reflection, this time a little deeper thinking. I don't ever want to experience what I had endured again with the heart and lungs. What happened? How can I prevent it from worsening? and... happening again?
I confess my diet reverted back to poor choices. It was a little over a year after the Surgery and I was working as a Driver again. I had Clots in the past despite being on Blood Thinners. This time I was back on Warfarin but there were a couple times I took my medicine very late. When you forget to pack your medicine and work a 16-hour day with a 45-minute commute, it's potentially a problem. It is understood that several Blood Thinners are not effective in preventing Clots with APS. Oddly, this one is larger than previous Clots and formed in the upper portion of both legs. To my understanding, they are between my knee and groin.
Confusion around the term, Vegan
There are a lot of labels and notions about different foods being, "Vegan". While food companies are likely prospering from the, "Vegan," label, it adds a lot of confusion to people trying to be, "Healthy". What is healthy should be fairly obvious in an information driven society.
Vegan?
The term, "Vegan," was coined in 1944 by Donald Watson and Dorothy Morgan, who were members of the Vegetarian Society in Britain. They wanted to create a word that would distinguish people who abstained from all animal products, not just meat, from other Vegetarians. They took the first and last letters of the word, "Vegetarian," and combined them to form Vegan. They also founded the Vegan Society, which is still active today, to promote Veganism as a way of living that excludes all forms of animal exploitation and cruelty.
So, it's safe to conclude that Vegan is the vision or evolution of Vegetarian into something more distinct than being Vegetarian. Personally, I would think a true Vegetarian would only eat vegetables. It seems humans always migrate towards having Candy, Donuts, and Dairy... If you pursue a Plant Based Diet, the notion of Vegan Food will be thrown at you often.
Motivation behind Veganism
Veganism has evolved from vegetarianism, for many, to be a lifestyle that excludes all forms of animal exploitation and cruelty, whether for food, clothing, or any other purpose. Most vegans do not eat meat, eggs, dairy, honey, or any other animal-derived products. They also avoid using animal products such as leather, wool, silk, fur, and cosmetics that are tested on animals. Vegans choose this way of living for various reasons, such as ethical, environmental, health, or religious beliefs.
One of the main reasons why some people become vegan is to prevent animal suffering and promote animal rights. Vegans believe that animals are sentient beings who have their own interests and deserve respect and compassion. They oppose the use of animals for human benefit, especially when it involves killing, harming, or exploiting them.
Another reason why some people adopt veganism is to protect the environment and conserve natural resources. Animal agriculture is one of the major contributors to global warming, deforestation, water pollution, soil erosion, biodiversity loss, and human hunger. Raising animals for food requires a lot of land, water, energy, and feed, which could be used more efficiently to grow crops for human consumption. Vegans argue that by avoiding animal products, they can reduce their ecological footprint and help create a more sustainable world.
A third reason why some people choose veganism is to improve their health and well-being. Numerous studies have shown that a well-planned vegan diet can provide all the essential nutrients and prevent or treat many chronic diseases. Vegans tend to have lower blood pressure, cholesterol, body mass index, and risk of heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and obesity than non-vegans. Vegans also claim that they feel more energetic, happier, and healthier by following a plant-based diet.
Veganism is a lifestyle that rejects all forms of animal exploitation and cruelty for ethical, environmental, or health reasons. Vegans do not consume or use any animal products and strive to live in harmony with other living beings. Veganism is not only a diet but also a philosophy and a social movement that aims to create a more compassionate and sustainable world for all.
Vegan Myths and Misconception
Some of the most common vegan myths are:
- Veganism and vegetarianism are the same. This is not accurate, as vegans do not consume or use any animal products, while vegetarians only avoid meat. Vegans also avoid eggs, dairy, honey, leather, wool, silk, fur, and cosmetics that are tested on animals.
- Vegans don’t get enough protein. This is also false, as vegans can get all the essential amino acids from plant sources such as beans, lentils, tofu, tempeh, nuts, seeds, and grains. In fact, some plant foods have more protein per calorie than animal foods. My most recent bloodwork disproves this myth as my protein was on the high end of the range.
- Plants have feelings too. This is a common argument used to justify eating animals, but it is based on a misunderstanding of what feelings are. Feelings are subjective experiences that require a nervous system and a brain, which plants do not have. Plants can react to stimuli, but they do not have emotions or consciousness like animals do.
- Honey is vegan. This is incorrect, as honey is produced by bees who are exploited and harmed by the honey industry. Bees are often killed, injured, or mutilated during the extraction process. They are also fed sugar water instead of their own honey, which can cause malnutrition and disease. Honey is not necessary for human health, and there are many vegan alternatives such as maple syrup, agave nectar, or date syrup.
- Soy milk is the only alternative to animal milk. This is another myth, as there are many plant-based milks available in the market today. Besides soy milk, vegans can also enjoy almond milk, oat milk, rice milk, coconut milk, hemp milk, cashew milk, and more. These milks have different flavors and nutritional profiles, and some of them are fortified with calcium and vitamin B12.
- Soy protein leads to rising estrogen levels. This is a misconception that stems from the fact that soy contains phytoestrogens, which are plant compounds that have a similar structure to human estrogen. However, phytoestrogens are not the same as animal estrogens, and they do not have the same effects on the body. In fact, studies have shown that soy consumption can lower the risk of breast cancer and prostate cancer.
- Veganism leads to malnutrition. This is a false claim that is often made by people who are unfamiliar with vegan nutrition. A well-planned vegan diet can provide all the essential nutrients and prevent or treat many chronic diseases. Vegans tend to have lower blood pressure, cholesterol, body mass index, and risk of heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and obesity than non-vegans. However, vegans need to supplement vitamin B12 or consume fortified foods regularly to avoid deficiency.
- Being vegan means being healthy. This is not necessarily true, as veganism is not a guarantee of health. Vegans can still eat unhealthy foods such as potato chips, candy, soda, or processed meat alternatives that are high in salt, sugar, fat, or additives. Vegans also need to pay attention to their intake of calories and nutrients to ensure a balanced diet. Being vegan means being compassionate to animals and the environment, but it does not automatically mean being healthy.
Examples of foods labeled Vegan that miss the mark for me, unhealthy:
- Frozen Fake Meats: These products often contain a lot of sodium, preservatives, processed oils, and artificial ingredients. They are also not very eco-friendly, as they require a lot of packaging and energy to produce and transport.
- Tofu Deli Meats: I've seen this labeled as Vegan Turkey Slices. These products are often high in sodium and may contain sugar and additives. They are not very nutritious, as they lack the fiber and phytochemicals found in whole plant foods.
- Vegan Desserts: These products may be free of animal products, but they are usually loaded with sugar, fat, refined flour, and artificial flavors and colors. They can contribute to weight gain, diabetes, and tooth decay.
- Vegan Cheese: This product is often made from highly processed ingredients such as oil, starch, thickeners, and additives. It is high in calories, fat, and sodium, and low in protein and calcium. It also has a large environmental impact, as it uses a lot of water and land to produce the ingredients.
- Vegan Junk Food: This category includes foods such as chips, fries, candy, soda, and other snacks that are Vegan but not healthy. They are high in calories, fat, salt, sugar, and additives, and low in fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. They can cause inflammation, oxidative stress, and chronic diseases.
- Soy Protein Isolate: This product is a highly processed form of soy that is used to make protein powders, bars, shakes, and other supplements. It is low in fiber and phytoestrogens, which are beneficial compounds found in whole soy foods. It may also contain hexane, a toxic solvent used to extract the protein from soybeans.
- Agave Nectar: This product is often marketed as a natural and healthy sweetener for vegans. However, it is actually very high in fructose, which can raise blood sugar levels and increase the risk of fatty liver disease. It is also not very sustainable, as it requires a lot of water and land to grow the agave plants.
- Palm Oil: This product is widely used in vegan products such as margarine, chocolate, cookies, and cosmetics. It is high in saturated fat, which can raise cholesterol levels and increase the risk of heart disease. It is also one of the main causes of deforestation, habitat loss, and animal extinction in tropical regions3.
- Legumes: These are plant-based sources of protein and iron, such as beans, lentils, and peas. They also provide fiber, calcium, zinc, and antioxidants. You can use them to make dishes like soups, stews, salads, and hummus.
- Nuts, Nut Butters, and Seeds: These are also rich in protein and healthy fats, as well as iron, magnesium, selenium, and vitamin E. They can be eaten as snacks or added to Smoothies, Oatmeal, Granola, Salads, and Baked Boods.
- Hemp, Flax, and Chia Seeds: These are special types of seeds that contain omega-3 fatty acids, which are beneficial for your brain and heart health. They also have protein, fiber, calcium, and antioxidants. You can sprinkle them on your Cereal, Soups, or Salads.
- Tofu, Tempeh, and Seitan: These are soy-based or wheat-based products that have a meat-like texture and flavor. They are high in protein and can be used to make dishes like Stir-Fries, Curries, Sandwiches, Burgers, and Nuggets.
- Fruits and Vegetables: These are the staples of any healthy diet, vegan or not. They provide vitamins, minerals, fiber, antioxidants, and phytochemicals that can protect you from various diseases. We should aim to eat a variety of colors and types every day.
- Whole Grains: These are complex carbohydrates that give you energy and keep you full. They also have fiber, B vitamins, Iron, Magnesium, and Selenium. Some examples are Oats, Quinoa, Brown Rice, Buckwheat, Millet, and Barley.
- Fortified Foods: These are foods that have added nutrients that may be lacking in a Vegan Diet. For example, some plant Milks, Cereals, Breads, and Juices are fortified with Calcium and Vitamin B12. You can also take supplements to ensure you get enough of these essential nutrients.
In conclusion, we can chop up and define vegan differently. But I have seen the health improvements and know a diet, plant based and avoiding processed food can eliminate a lot of health problems. The pursuit healthy living is something we owe to ourselves, for true enjoyment of life. Vegan is not to clearly defined. But Plant Based seems to be understood and the core of the diet. Put down the Oreo's and eat an Apple. At least more often than not, there will be benefits noticed.
