Dear Editor:
Former President Clinton’s coronary bypass surgery should be a wake-up call for the millions of Americans whose chosen lifestyles elevate their risk of heart disease.
According to the American Heart Association, more than 60 million Americans suffer from heart disease and nearly 500,000 die each year. The lifestyle risk factors are a diet high in saturated fats and cholesterol, smoking and lack of exercise.
Scores of studies in the past three decades demonstrate beyond reasonable doubt that replacing animal fat and meat in our diet with vegetables, fresh fruits and whole grains lowers substantially the risk of heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes and other chronic diseases. These diseases account for 1.3 million American deaths annually. A plant-based diet contains no cholesterol or saturated fat but ample fiber, proteins, vitamins, minerals and other essential nutrients for a long and healthy life.
Choosing a wholesome plant-based diet is a snap these days. Every supermarket carries a rich variety of veggie burgers, soy dogs, soy-based lunch “meats”, microwave-ready dinners, dairy-free ice cream and a huge selection of vegetable and fruits. All we need is the will to live.
Elmer Leighton