Dr. Ellsworth Wareham (born October 3, 1914) 103Year Old Vegan Heart Surgeon Retired At 95 – Here’s Why He’s Been A Vegan For 50 Years.
~ As a middle-aged man, Wareham spent a lot of time in the operating room cutting into one patient after another who had heart problems. There, he noticed something: patients who were vegetarian mostly had much cleaner and smoother arteries than those who ate meat. The arteries of meat-eaters tended to be full of calcium and plaque.
So he made a choice. He decided to become a vegan. That decision was not too hard to make given the fact that many of the inhabitants of his southern Californian community were already very health conscious. Consider: there is no meat sold at one of the largest grocery stores in town. In fact, as recently as a generation ago, meat was difficult to find in the grocery stores of Loma Linda, as the New York Times reports. On top of that, smoking is banned in the town; alcohol is scarcely available; and fast food restaurants are hard to come by. ~ – Source.
~ Dr. Wareham attributes his health at least partly to the fact that he has been a vegan for the last 30 or 40 years (he does not remember precisely).
You can view another interview with Dr. Ellsworth with CNN’s Sanjay Gupta HERE.
Why Vegetarian And Vegan Diets Are Becoming More Popular
This 100 year old heart surgeon isn’t the only one, Kim A. Williams, M.D., incoming president of the American College of Cardiology has also adopted a vegan diet.
World renowned figures throughout history, from Plato and Nietzsche all the way to pop icons like Paul Mcartney and Bob Marley, to political leaders like Gandhi and Benjamin Franklin, have all advocated a vegetarian diet.
There is no doubt that the influence of these kinds of “celebrity” figures, along with outspoken animal rights advocates, have played a role in the rise of vegetarianism in recent years, however, the main reason for its recent popularity really has to do with the way it makes people feel and the science behind it. There is no shortage of studies demonstrating the clear health benefits of vegetarian and vegan diets, and many of them outline how these benefits increase the more an individual decreases the amount of animal products they consume.
That being said, even if you are not an advocate of a vegetarian or vegan diet, it’s important to note that a very high and alarming percentage of Americans eat hardly any vegetables whatsoever. According to the Wall Street Journal, in 2011, approximately 80% of Americans who ate meat rarely consumed vegetables at all.
Interview of Massimo Leopardi for Veggie Channel web-tv. Vegan since his 50s, Dr. Ellsworth Wareham is a famous cardiothoracic surgeon who retired at the age of 95. He believes his healthful lifestyle contributes to his longevity, and he points to Loma Linda’s Adventist Health Studies as evidence.
Dr. Ellsworth managed his weight by eating fruits, vegetables, nuts, and then there’s his philosophy of life.
When considering going vegan you may wonder, “Where am I going to get my protein?” The simple answer: everywhere. Protein can be found in all plant foods. Whether you are a child, a pregnant mother, a high intensity athlete, or a hard working adult striving to maintain a healthy life, a whole foods plant based diet will cover all of your protein needs.
There are 20 amino acids necessary for humans to function and rebuild cells. Our bodies naturally regenerate over half of those, leaving only 9 as essential amino acids that we must consume from diet. Foods that contain all 9 are called complete proteins. Quinoa, buckwheat, amaranth, spirulina, hemp seeds, chia seeds, soy, rice and beans or lentils, seitan, hummus and pita, or a peanut butter sandwich on whole grain bread are all examples of plant based complete proteins. What is important to note, however, is that it is not necessary for humans to consume all of their sources of protein as complete proteins; the body can absorb all essential amino acids from eating a variety of plant foods throughout the day.
when buying soy beans, choose organic insuring you are buying GMO-free product.
The standard American is consuming 80% more protein than recommended by the FDA, and even those target levels are inflated due to the heavy hand of the meat and dairy industry in food policy. The World Health Organization—unbiased from American “Big Food”—recommends that protein make up only 5-10% of one’s daily intake of calories. That is not a lot of protein. Take fruit for instance: most fruits have a makeup of 6-8% protein.
Even if you only ate watermelon and oranges for the day, if you consumed the proper amount of calories, you would still meet your protein requirements and almost all key vitamins and minerals. Vegetables have higher percentages, averaging around 15% protein, and the most protein dense foods like beans, nuts, seeds, and dark leafy greens contain an upwards of 20-30% protein. Sea plants like nori and spirulina are even 50% protein!
The plant kingdom contains all of the necessary nutrients for humans to live and thrive. In fact, plants are the original source! A diet based around plant based whole foods guarantees you will get as much protein as you need, regardless of your age, activity level, or health condition.
Plants surpass meat and other animal products in nutrition far beyond mere protein content, however. Plants are all encompassing for a healthy diet. They also provide fiber, vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, water, phytochemicals, antioxidants, natural enzymes, and many other beneficial natural properties. What they do not contain is the bad stuff – artery-clogging cholesterol, trans-fat, cancer-promoting carcinogens, growth hormones, and a multitude of additional health hazards.
If you eat a diet of whole food plants you will receive everything you need and nothing you don’t. In addition to promoting your life, you will be promoting compassion, peace, and global responsibility as well. Eating plants is a win-win!
By Jacalyn Webster from naturallyjacalyn.com
Below is a video clip of Dr. Ellsworth Wareham, a 103 year old recently retired heart surgeon who has been a vegan for half of his life (5o years).
Preview YouTube video Inspiration | 102 Years Young
Team HappyCow traveled to Colombia, checked out vegan restaurants and attended Veg Fest Colombia in Bogotá, Colombia on January 7-22, 2017.
Ken interviewed Nadja Troeger, the founder and organizer of the 2 week event, and two local residents discussing highlights from the event and exclusive insider vegan tips. Veg Fest Colombia consisted of plant-based food and product booths, speeches, live music, hikes, city and fruit tours, and more!
Below is our video containing interviews and highlights:
Preview VegFest Colombia – Colombia’s First Vegan Event 2017
