"One in a Thousand: Ending the Heart Disease Epidemic"
This is a list of diseases, commonly found here,
(and in populations that eat and live like the US)
but were rare or even nonexistent
in populations eating diets centered around whole plant foods.
These are among our most common diseases, like obesity.
Hiatal hernia, one of the most common stomach problem.
Hemorrhoids, and varicose veins–
the most common venous problems.
Colorectal cancer –the #2 cause of cancer death.
Diverticulosis –the #1 disease of the intestine.
Appendicitis - the #1 cause for emergency abdominal surgery.
Gallbladder disease – the #1 cause for nonemergency abdominal surgery,
and ischemic heart disease, the commonest cause of death –HERE!
but a rarity in plant-based populations.
This landmark study suggesting that
coronary heart disease was practically non-existent
among those eating traditional plant-based diets in Africa,
claimed that there was adequate autopsy evidence
to confirm that fact. Let's look at it.
Doctors in sub-Saharan Africa during the 30s and 40s
recognized that certain diseases commonly met in Western communities
were rare in rural African peasants.
This hearsay talk greeted any new doctor on arrival in Africa.
Even the teaching manuals stated
that diabetes, coronary heart disease, appendicitis,
peptic ulcers, gallstones, hemorrhoids, and constipation
were rare in African blacks
who "eat foods that contain many skins and fibres,"
"such as beans and (corn),"
"and (effortlessly) pass a bulky stool two or three times a day.”
Surgeons noticed that the common acute abdominal emergencies
like appendicitis in Western communities
were virtually absent in rural African peasants.
But do we have hard data to back that up?
Yes. Major autopsy series were performed.
First 1,000 Kenyan autopsies—
not a single case of appendicitis,
not a single heart attack,
3 diabetics out of a thousand,
one peptic ulcer, no gallstones,
and no evidence of high blood pressure,
which alone affects 1 out of 3 Americans.
Maybe the Africans were just dying early of other diseases
and so never lived long enough to get heart disease?
No. Here's age-matched heart attack rates
in Uganda versus St. Louis.
Out of 632 autopsies in Uganda – one, myocardial infarction.
Out of 632 Missourans—same age and gender distribution—
136 myocardial infarctions.
More than 100 times the rate of our #1 killer.
In fact, they were so blown away
they did another 800 autopsies in Uganda,
and still, just that one small healed infarct
(meaning it wasn't even the cause of death)
out of 1,427 patients..
less than 1 in a thousand.
Whereas in the U.S., it's an epidemic.
How do the doctors even know what to look for over there then?
Though practically unheard of among the native population,
the physicians are quite familiar with heart disease
because of all the folks that IMMIGRATE to the countries in Africa.
The famous surgeon, Dr. Burkitt,
insisted that modern medicine is going about it all wrong.
A highly unacceptable fact that is rarely considered
yet indisputable is that with rare exceptions
there is no evidence that the incidence of any disease
was ever reduced by treatment.
Improved therapies may reduce mortality
but may not reduce the incidence of the disease.
Understand what he's saying?
Take cancer, for example, the vast majority of effort
is devoted to advances in treatment
second priority given to screening programs
attempting early diagnosis.
But is there any evidence that the incidence of any form of cancer
has ever been reduced by improved treatment or by early detection?
Early diagnosis may reduce mortality rates
and medical services can certainly profoundly benefit sick people
but have little if any effect on the number of people
becoming ill in the first place.
No matter how fancy heart disease surgery gets,
it's never going to reduce the number
of people falling victim to the disease.
He compares it to an engine left out in the rain.
If an engine repeatedly stops
as a consequence of being exposed to the elements
it is of limited value to rely on the aid of mechanics
to detect and remedy the fault.
Examination of all engines would reveal
that those out in the rain were stopping,
but those under cover were running well.
So the correct approach would then be to provide
protection from the offending environment.
However, considering the failing engine as the ailing patient,
this is seldom the priority of modern medicine.
He sums it up with the cliff or the ambulance.
If people are falling over the edge of a cliff
and sustaining injuries,
the problem could be dealt with
by stationing ambulances at the bottom
or erecting a fence at the top.
Unfortunately, we put way too much effort
into the provision of ambulances
and far too little into the simple approach
of erecting fences.
And then of course there are all the industries
enticing people to the edge,
and profiting from pushing people off.