Plant Stock 2013

My expectations for Plant Stock 2013 were very high. I’m happy to say that my expectations were exceeded!

The  weather was perfect the entire weekend. However I don’t think bad weather would  have affected the performances of the great presenters.

 Within the first few minutes of arriving, I began a conversation with a 67 year old guy named Bob from North Carolina.  His story was the typical story you read about on the FOK web site. This guy was very knowledgeable about WFPB. He knew all the major players (Campbell, Dr. Esselstyn, Rip Esselstyn, Dr. McDougall, Dr. Barnard and Dr. Fuhrman)

 After adopting a WFPB diet, he lost 63 lbs, (212 lbs to 149 lbs). He was able to get off all of his meds. He was on statins and a number of meds for HBP. He brought his latest blood work results. His total cholesterol is 136 and his LDL’s are 88 (on no meds).

 His HDLs were under the guidelines as they usually will be when LDLs are  below 150. He knows that this is no big deal because he’s read Dr. Esselstyn’s works. Yet his physician wanted to put him on a medication to bring his HDLs up. This happens all the time! Bob has since gotten another Doctor.

 As Dr. Esselstyn explains, in cultures following WFPB diets, heart disease is just about non existent even though most folks have HDL measurements that are far under the guidelines. What matters most with HDLs is their efflux capacity, not their number.  Efflux capacity is defined as the ability of HDL to promote reverse cholesterol transport by accepting cholesterol from lipid-laden macrophages.

We can make sure HDL  efflux capacity is up to snuff by eating a low-fat WFPB diet.  When LDLs are sufficiently low through diet, there is not a need for high HDL levels.   LDLs are still the most important score in your lipid profile.

 Luckily, Bob knows his stuff and didn’t automatically start taking the prescribed medication.

 Bob also was thrilled with Plant Stock. He said that it was nice to be able to tell his story to people who believe him. Back home, people don’t believe his story. He expressed his disappointment that his friends won’t try to make significant changes in their lifestyle. He recently had one friend who had a stroke and another a heart attack. He expressed his frustration.

 There were over 500 people from 30 states and 6 countries.  Many with stories similar to Bob’s.  Hearing some of their stories has recharged my WFPB batteries.

Let’s keep this locomotive moving!

Here is a brief description of Plant Stock 2013 from the Engine 2 web site.