Recent research suggests that a whole food, plant-based diet may help prevent Parkinson’s disease and slow its progression because the diet is neuro-protective and lowers oxidative stress and inflammation.
This was a 50% increase from the previous rate of 60,000 diagnoses annually. The number of people with Parkinson’s, a chronic neurological disease, is projected to continue to rise and is expected to reach 1.2 million by 2030.1
Recent research suggests that a whole food, plant-based diet may help prevent Parkinson’s disease and slow its progression because the diet is neuro-protective and lowers oxidative stress and inflammation. C-Reactive Protein (CRP) is a marker often used to measure inflammation in the body. It was found that CRP was consistently elevated in a meat-based diet and decreased in a whole food, plant-based diet. 2
Inflammation is a protective response of the body to clear infection, repair tissues, and heal itself after injury. When inflammation sticks around too long, it becomes the root of many chronic diseases such as Type 2 diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular disease. 3
Want to reduce inflammation? Start with your grocery list, advises Susan Block, a registered dietitian and diabetes educator at the Mayo Clinic. 4 In other words, it is not pills from the pharmacy but nutrients from a whole food, plant-based diet that can reduce inflammation. Whole, plant-based foods are loaded with phytonutrients, low in fat, lower in toxins, and low in bacteria load. In contrast, animal products contain high amounts of fat and are a breeding ground for bacteria and pro-inflammatory toxins.
The apostle Paul counseled about life and richness in 1 Timothy 6:7-8: “For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content” (NKJV). The blessings in this life are not riches and possessions. Material gain is temporary. Contentment is letting go of worldly instructions or desires or standards and letting God’s instructions be part of our daily life whether growing in faith or in health.
Being healthy is truly a blessing. Not being healthy affects all aspects of life and causes lots of grief. Ellen White once wrote “…Religion tends directly to promote health to lengthen life, and to heighten our enjoyment of all its blessings. It opens to the soul a never-falling fountain of happiness. Would that all who have chosen Christ might realize that He has something vastly better to offer them than they are seeking for themselves. Man is doing the greatest injury and injustice to his own soul when he thinks and acts contrary to the will of God.” 5
From the beginning, God prescribed a whole food, plant-based diet for His creation because He knows best. Friends, the time is now to take charge of your health if you have not done so. What small step can you take today to lower your inflammation process? What will you choose?
Yin Schaff is health ministries director for Wisconsin Conference.
