Say No to Drugs by Saying Yes to More Plants

A study of 15,000 American vegetarians suggests their lower chronic disease rates translate into fewer surgeries (including hysterectomies) and medications (including aspirin, sleeping pills, tranquilizers, antacids, pain-killers, blood pressure medications, laxatives, and insulin).

January 3, 2012
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  • Michael Greger M.D.

    Please feel free to post any ask-the-doctor type questions here in the comments section and I’d be happy to try to answer them. Check out the other videos on chronic diseases and plant-based diets. And there are 1,449 subjects covered in the rest of my videos–please feel free to explore them!

    For some context see my blog post Plant-based Benefits Extend Beyond the Top Killers,

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  • paul3917

    The article you cited Dr. Greger, had an unusual idea of who vegetarians are: those who munch on animals less than once a week. I’m sure the reduction in morbidity would have been even more pronounced if they had studied a cohort of true-blue vegans. One puzzle though, was why the veg group had slightly higher rates of breast lumps and prostrate problems than their meat-chomping peers. Any suggestions of how we can do to avoid those pratfalls? I’ve read indications that adequate iodine can help with the breasts and plant sterols and stanols might help with the prostate. Is this true?

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    • Michael Greger M.D.

      Note that only the “OR’s” (Odds Ratios) with the notation next to them are statistically significant, so none of those conditions listed were found significantly more in those eating plant based diets.

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  • claudia r

    As a vegetarian for 20 years and a holistic health coach, I completely agree with the fact that a plant based diet has a host of benefits including those mentioned in this video. That said, would you not also agree that part of the reason vegetarians have fewer surgeries and take fewer drugs is a psychological issue; those who consciously make healthy food decisions are less likely to run to the doctor when something is wrong and are less likely to take prescription meds or have elective surgeries.

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    • http://www.facebook.com/tantruong777 Tan Truong

      Good point.

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  • Meha

    A version with Brazilian Portuguese subtitles to help spread the word, thank you Dr Greger for your authorization:

    http://youtu.be/DAQ5pW_27C0

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    • Michael Greger M.D.

      You’re the best! Anyone else with language skills that would care to help translate any of the more than 600 videos now?

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  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1333777681 Mark Biddy

    Hi Dr. Greger, can you shed any light on these findings – it seems to not support plant based eating.
    Regards, Mark…keep up the great work!

    High-Fiber Diet No Help for Diverticulosis
    http://www.medpagetoday.com/Gastroenterology/GeneralGastroenterology/30807

    A high-fiber diet afforded no protection against asymptomatic diverticulosis, findings from more than 2,000 colonoscopy exams showed.
    …
    “Our data demonstrated no association between fat, red meat, physical activity, and diverticulosis,” Robert S. Sandler, MD, of the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, and coauthors wrote in conclusion.

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  • Martin

    Searching the Internet for cheap and safe Amla and Triphala, I stumbled upon this product:
    http://www.realphoenixhealthcare.com/servlet/the-529/Divya-Mukta-Vati-for/Detail – (Divya Mukta Vati)
    Could this herbal formula really be a valid treatment for hypertension?
    My wife has been a vegetarian (almost vegan) for about three years now, but her blood pressure remains a bit high and she has to take traditional medication.

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    • Toxins

      Be sure you are eating a low fat whole foods, plant based diet without free oils or processed food. Also be sure to limit your sodium intake to 1500 or less. If you do this I am confident your wife’s blood pressure will be reduced.
      http://nutritionfacts.org/videos/salt-ok-if-blood-pressure-is-ok/

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