The Doctor Says: Why a plant-based lifestyle could overhaul your health
Sponsored post, in partnership with Dr Nestor’s Medical & Cosmetic Centre
In our new monthly column series, we hear from the team at Scotland’s best clinic, Dr Nestor’s Medical & Cosmetic Centre, and learn how to enhance our lives, one area at a time. This month, Lifestyle Medicine practitioner, Dr Laura Freeman, talks to Hood about all of the benefits of a plant-based lifestyle…
With the recent Coronavirus global pandemic affecting all of us, there’s no time like the present to fully commit to working on our health. Adopting a diverse, plant-strong diet is one of the most powerful ways that you can do this, and not only is it great for your body, it’s great for our planet too.
A whole food, plant-based diet (WFPD - a diet focused on fruit, vegetables, beans and legumes) continues to be the diet that I advocate for my patients, friends, family and wider communities, and this remains true irrespective of their social, cultural or religious backgrounds. I work closely with my patients, coaching them through lifestyle changes to improve their physical and emotional health, as well as supporting a strong immune system. By doing so, I’ve seen firsthand success in clients reporting increased energy levels, better mood and improved sleep habits. These same changes also work to protect them against future lifestyle-related diseases, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes and certain types of cancer (namely breast, colorectal and prostate). As a cancer thriver, I’m shocked by recent statistics, which suggest that 1 in 2 people born after 1960 will be affected by a cancer diagnosis. But the positive message is that as many as 4 in 10 cases of cancer are potentially preventable with lifestyle changes.
Whilst I look closely at elements such as exercise, stress management and relationships, plant-based nutrition is a huge part of my practice in Lifestyle Medicine. Studies repeatedly show that we can all benefit from this kind of diet. I personally made the switch several years ago after my own cancer diagnosis, and since that time, I’ve experienced a significant improvement in every aspect of my health, which propelled me to immerse myself in the relevant medical research. And once I’d seen the evidence, I was compelled to share it with patients, family and friends - and now I recommend it to everyone.
In the future, we’ll all need to consume more mindfully and sustainably, and plant-based lends itself well to this approach. We can’t continue as we are - red meat intake in Europe is currently 300-600% higher than daily recommended levels, with a huge detriment to our physical health, and a huge environmental impact 100 times greater than the impact of a plant-based diet. It’s clear to see that cutting back on excessive consumption of meat, as well as dairy, will benefit the planet and all of us who live here.
Changing your diet certainly has its challenges, but moving towards a plant-based way of life is now easier than it’s ever been. Supermarkets now have a wide variety of plant-based products and vegan alternatives, which are all helpful in transitioning your diet, and I always recommend whole food, plant-based items such as beans, lentils and wholegrain foods, which are some of the cheapest ingredients available, and easy to stock up on and store, meaning they’re easily accessible when fresh ingredients might not be.
I encourage everyone to think about how they can make lifestyle changes to take control of their health destiny. Don’t wait for a serious diagnosis before optimising health and preventing disease.
Coronavirus has opened our eyes to this - we cannot take our health, our health service, or our freedom for granted. We’re more vulnerable than ever to the world around us, and we all need to take on more responsibility for the environment, as well as the global impact of our diet and lifestyle choices. Making small changes will contribute to a positive shift, and switching to a WFPD is one of the most powerful ways to do so.
If you’re intrigued, but unsure where to start - I completely understand, and welcome you to get in touch. I’ve spent the last few years living, studying and researching plant-based diets; it’s my goal and my passion to share all that I know about this subject, and support my patients in adopting this way of life.
For more information on living a plant-based lifestyle, or to find out more about the practice of Lifestyle Medicine and how it can improve your health, you can book a consultation with myself at Dr Nestor’s clinic. In an hour-long consultation, we will explore your current lifestyle habits, health problems and medical history. We’ll also explore your current health goals and priorities and from there, clearly advise what changes can be made to help you live your life to its healthiest and fullest.
Dr Nestor’s Medical & Cosmetic Centre, 53 Dundas Street, Edinburgh EH3 6RS
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