Planning for Retirement?

How we spend the last years of our lives depends largely on what choices we make before we reach middle age, especially during the first 10 years of our childhood while our cells are multiplying rapidly. Recent studies show that dietary and lifestyle choices increase telomerase activity that is associated with slowing down the aging of our cells. Evidence supporting this can be seen in those that consume diets rich in unprocessed plant food.

Due to their dietary and lifestyle habits, Seventh-day Adventists, for example, have been recognized as one of the longest living people groups, living an average of 10 years longer. Adventists have long advocated a vegetarian diet that also encourages exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, and refraining from alcohol and tobacco use. This can account for their low rates of cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic disease.

In a similar way, large population studies confirm a direct correlation between the rates of chronic illness and the percent of animal products consumed in the diet of that population. As the percentage of animal and processed foods rise, so does illness. Saturated fats, chemical compounds,amp; arachidonic acid,amp; toxins, bacteria, heterocyclic amines, heavy metals, refined sugars and grains, salt, and vegetable oils all contribute to a diet devoid of micronutrients, fiber, phytochemicals, and other health-promoting compounds. Research shows that plant foods contain 64 more times the antioxidants than animal foods. The average antioxidant content in meat is 100, compared to an average of 290,000 in plant foods. A diet deficient in antioxidants and rich in saturated fats deprives our cells of oxygen, promotes fat storage, inflammation, oxidative stress, free radical production, unfavorable intestinal flora, and impairs our immune system. This increases our risk for many diseases, such as cancer, heart disease, autoimmune, and diabetes, just to name a few. Consuming a diet rich in whole plant foods results in a healthy cardiovascular and immune system; therefore supporting optimal health.

The World Health Organization noted that millions of deaths each year are attributed to inadequate fruit and vegetable intake. It has also been said that we have become an overfed, yet undernourished nation, digging our own graves with our forks and knives. The typical American diet overburdens our body with toxic, nutrient-deficient foods, promoting illness with every meal. As dismal as this sounds, our bodies have an incredible ability to heal, once the injurious foods are removed, and replaced with life-giving foods. It's never too late to start your journey towards excellent and vibrant health. Disease prevention and reversal begins with the first bite! Looking at the illustration above, wouldn't you rather choose "Plan B" for your retirement? Your spouse, children and grandchildren will be happy that you did!

(1) Reverse Aging With a Plant-Based Diet

(2) What Will Your Last 10 Years Look Like?

(3) Hoping for Health but Missing the Mark?