Hi Mike - i totally get it!! What i mean is i never really ate a-lot of animal products to begin with , maybe a steak or burger once a month, some sandwich meats here and there , some seafood a few times a month, but cheese, yogurt, eggs have been my vice big time (vegy omelets yum!) , my cholesterol and BP levels have always been good, im atheltic and exercise regularly, i never smoked, and am a very easy going stressless guy...i guess cause i happen to have a dad and grandfather that died early of heart disease...even with annual physicals, stress tests, calcium tests, ct scans, etc...no one could predict for forewarn my heart attack and thus 2 stents in LAD....docs have all said im good, but keep red meats and dairy limited, sugar/carbs minimal, maintain exercise, and take a statin and baby aspirin for rest if life(statin is to keep arterial walls smooth and strong? - since i have no issues with cholesterol) ....hoping to come off the toporol xl if not needed why take it? (Doc said it can help me sleep better and he had concern with anxiety and said it helps with that too?).....everyone is different, we have been eating animals for quite some time, and people love i to there 100s eating animal products and being pure vegan....all im saying :)
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RICk
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Original Message:
Sent: 03-01-2020 07:55
From: Michael Anthony
Subject: Vegan Diet
Hi, Rick, why do you say just eating plants, vegetables and fruit is not for you so quickly? Not eating animals has changed my life. I realize now when I see cows, chickens, and pigs I don't stare stare at them with hunger like a wolf or lion. Why? It's not in our nature. Isn't it nice that these meats are all cut up and packaged in the supermarket for convenience?
Now when I go to an apple orchard, an orange grove, or a grape vineyard my mouth begins to water; just thinking about apples, oranges, and grapes makes my mouth water. Try it. We are not wolves or lions - our digestive system is much different - a narrow tube 5X longer. And no fangs and claws to rip and tear too. A knife or spear or rifle doesn't change your digestive tract.
Mike
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Mike Anthony
River Edge, NJ
Original Message:
Sent: 03-01-2020 07:24
From: RICHARD SCIALDONE
Subject: Vegan Diet
Thanks all so much for the feedback...it has been very helpful. I see my cardiologist again in may so will have another lab test to be sure all is well especially with taking the meds.... total vegan life is mot for me, and yet i dont know enough about the meds thing and the havoc that could be doing to me....so will keep trucking along!!
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RICk
Original Message:
Sent: 03-01-2020 07:07
From: Michael Anthony
Subject: Vegan Diet
Hi, Rick, sorry for the late response, I'm just seeing your question now. I had a near fatal heart attack 12 years ago and 4 stents in the nick of time saved my life. After a week in the hospital I was sent home and prescribed 5 medications probably similar to the ones you are taking (Plavix, Lipitor, Metoprolol, etc) and told I would most likely need to take these for the rest of my life. Looking for an alternate path for my future health and wellness, I began to read books by Drs. Dean Ornish and Caldwell Esselstyn who believe eating a vegan diet can prevent and even reverse cardiovascular disease. I decided to try it, and changing my diet to just eating plants, vegetables, and fruits didn't happen overnight. It started with beef, then chicken, then fish, then eggs and dairy. I felt better each time I eliminated one more animal product. It took about six months.
I've been off these medications for 11 years now - with my doctor's approval. I still have the same cardiologist who performed the surgery and primary doctor. This is important - I was able to stop taking these medications because my doctor said I didn't need them anymore. You have to decide what is more extreme - eating medication for the rest of your life or eating whole food organic plants, vegetables, and fruits?
My best,
Mike
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Michael Anthony
Film / Television
River Edge NJ
(917) 447-7710
Original Message:
Sent: 02-11-2020 15:34
From: RICHARD SCIALDONE
Subject: Vegan Diet
Greetings - 51 yo, had a heart attack and two stents put in my LAD (100% blockage). Although I consider myself healthy (annual physicals always had good cholesterol, goo blood pressure, non-smoker, non-diabetic, maintain healthy weight), my Dad died at 52 of heart attack. So very surprising, but it happened. So now to keeping myself as heart healthy as possible. My cardiologist, primary and cardiac rehab all state a diet that is rich in fruits and veges, whole grains, low sodium and low carbs. That's pretty much it, they say eat smart and indulge in moderation meats, cheeses, etc. Limit alcohol and sugars the most.
And after never taking meds, I am now on brillinta (for at least six months), baby aspirin, a stain (Lipitor) and blood pressure med that slows my heart rate. No side effects after 2 months so far, but would rather not be on them....
now, time after time from family and friends tell me I MUST go vegan, never touch anything with a face or had a mother ever again. They all love me and want to see me around for a long time, but I feel that is very extreme? I love my seafood, a steak or good burger once a week, and my daily 2 eggs vege omelet. I eat greek yogurt with berries daily, and do love the cheese now and then. But to rid all of that???
What does the group say? Appreciate the time and thoughts.
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Rick
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