A while back, I told a new friend of mine that I was writing about how people could make themselves heart-attack-proof, just by eating plants instead of animals and cutting way back on their fat intake. I mentioned, in an offhand sort of way, that this same diet also cures obesity. I didn’t know it at the time, but she was in the “down” phase of a pattern of yo-yo dieting. She was very interested and wrote down the Web sites I recommended.
About a month later, when we were talking on the telephone, she said, “I switched to a plant-based diet, and I’ve lost some weight without feeling hungry. I’ve also noticed that my acne cleared up. Is that because of the diet?” I said that it probably was. The fat in animal-based foods and the huge dose of estrogen that occurs naturally in dairy products, even “organic” dairy products, both contribute to acne. She said, “Well, why didn’t you tell me that? It’s a major selling point!”
Another month or two went by, and we were talking on the telephone again. My friend said, “Laurie, I’ve just noticed that I don’t have body odor anymore. I used to have to use heavy-duty deodorant. Now I don’t stink, even if I sweat heavily. Is it because of the diet?” I told her that it probably was. Not only do animal-based foods contain far more protein than you need, but the proteins in animal-based foods are particularly high in sulfur. Burning those proteins for energy releases stinky sulfur compounds. She said, “Well, why don’t you tell people about that! Young people care far more about that than about their risk of heart attack!”
So there you have it. Switching to a plant-based diet can make you look better and smell better.
Photo by Saluda UdeA 