Clinton, Sanders and Trump: The Search for a Plant-Based President

Although the observational, experimental and clinical evidence supporting the health benefits of whole food plant-based (WFPB) diets is strong, mainstream America doesn’t seem to be aware of this evidence. The reasons for this lack of awareness are manifold and beyond the scope of this article. If you’d like to learn about these reasons, I suggest you read “Whole: Rethinking The Science of Nutrition” by T.Colin Campbell.

Here in February, 2016, a continuing news story that dominates American media is the ongoing political process of electing the next President of the United States. I got to thinking that if one of the three people likely to be our next president ate a whole food plant-based (WFPB) diet, maybe WFPB will finally gain some traction with Americans.

I am not a political expert and I am not a fan of politicians. However, I don’t think I have to be either to make the prediction that either Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders or Donald Trump will be the next President of the United States of America.

I don’t recommend voting for anyone based on just one issue, but for the sake of this article, let’s judge them solely on their diet and overall health.

Out of the three, I thought that Hillary Clinton might give us the best chance for a WFPB President as her husband, former President Bill Clinton, transitioned to a plant-based diet back in 2010. He was following the advice of Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn, author of “Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease”.

Bill Clinton

Although I had heard that Bill Clinton had switched from a plant-based diet to a more paleo-style diet (low carb diet that included meat.) I wasn’t sure this was true. It was hard for me to believe because he was doing so well on a WFPB diet. I realized it was possible that he could still be eating a WFPB diet, but saying he eats meat just to prevent pissing off the meat, fish and poultry industries. He understands the political price Hillary might have to pay for having a husband who promotes the health benefits of a diet dominated by unrefined plant foods.

It turns out that he appears to still be following a WFPB diet with a little bit of fish, based on a recent interview Hillary gave to Seth Myers.(at 9:08 of the video)

Hillary Clinton

Hillary, on the other hand, follows a Paleo-like diet that includes, fruits and vegetables and lean meats. Hillary’s medical report reveals:

• Total Cholesterol – 195
• LDL – 118
• HDL – 64
• Non-HDL – 131

According to the Cholesterol Risk Chart (based on research from the Framingham Heart Study), Mrs. Clinton’s risk for cardiovascular disease is very low. However, her risk will be increased if she has other risk factors (i.e Triglyceride levels > 250, Body Mass Index >25, High Blood Pressure, etc…)

Hillary admitted to being overweight back in February, 2015. She suffered a concussion from a fall back in December, 2012. She subsequently was found to have suffered from “transverse sinus thrombosis” and was prescribed the anti-coagulant Coumadin to dissolve the clot.

In 2013, she tested negative for all blood clotting disorders, but remained on daily anticoagulation medication as a precaution.. In addition to Coumadin, her medications include thyroid hormone replacement and antihistamines. She also supplements with vitamin B-12.

Hillary might do well to adopt a diet closer to her husband’s in order to lose weight and to reduce her total cholesterol levels below 150. According to heart disease expert Dr. William Castelli, people with total cholesterol levels under 150 just don’t get heart disease. HDL, LDL and triglyceride levels don’t seem to matter when total cholesterol levels are under 150.

But as of February 2016, Hillary is not following anything close to a diet dominated by fruits, veggies, whole grains and legumes.

 Bernie Sanders

According to his stepdaughter, Carina Driscoll, Senator Sanders was Paleo before Paleo was a thing. He sticks to a diet of mostly of meat and vegetables.

Bernie’s Medical Report reveals the following blood lipid profile:

• Total Cholesterol – 196
• LDL – 125
• HDL – 46
• Non-HDL – 150

According to the Cholesterol Risk Chart (based on research from the Framingham Heart Study), Senator Sanders’risk for cardiovascular disease is low. However, his risk will be increased if he has Triglyceride levels that are > 250.

On November 18, 2015 at the age of 74, his Body Mass Index (24.3) and his blood pressure (131/81) were within normal limits.

Over the years, the senator has been treated for:

• Gout
• Mild hypercholesterolemia
• Diverticulitis
• Hypothyroidism and
• Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

His medications as of January, 2016 include daily levothyroxine (thyroid hormone) and intermittent indomethacin (for gout attacks).

Indomethacin is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). NSAID’s have become the treatment of choice among Doctors. NSAID’s may have significant toxicity, but if used in the SHORT TERM, they are generally well tolerated.

The other common medications for gout, Allopurinol and Colchicine seem to have even greater side effects than Indomethacin.

Apparently Senator Sanders consumes alcohol infrequently, so his gout condition is likely due to his high meat intake. His paleo-style diet is not doing his arteries any favors either.

So our last hope for a WFPB president is……

Donald Trump

First the good news – Mr. Trump avoids alcohol, tobacco and coffee. I’m afraid that’s where the good news ends. He has frequently stated that he eats whatever he wants – plenty of bacon and steak – and he doesn’t exercise on a regular basis.

Mr. Trump is betting on great longevity genes. His father died at age 94 and apparently was in good health until age 90. His mother died at age 89 and was healthy almost up until the end. He states that he has had no major problems and has had almost no problems at all.

His daughter Ivanka and son Donald Jr. both wish that he would make a concerted effort to eat healthier. It doesn’t appear that he plans on doing so. He cites the enormous amount of conflicting nutrition information in the media as the reason that he has decided to eat what he likes. Steak, bacon and eggs are high on his list.

The Health Report that Mr. Trump released in December, 2015 was written by Dr. Harold Bornstein of Lenox Hill Hospital in Manhattan. The Report was actually a letter – and a bizarre one at that. Jonathan Moreno a medical ethics professor, and general surgeon Jeffrey Singer, also think it is quite bizarre. Their sentiments are shared in this article from The Daily Beast.

Details in Dr. Bornstein’s letter are few, and much of the language he uses is unusual for a medical doctor. Here are some examples followed by my comments in italics:

• “Mr. Trump has had a recent complete medical examination that showed only positive results”. (I think it is clear that he meant to write “normal” instead of “positive”. Positive results are usually bad news)
• ‘His blood pressure, 110/65, and laboratory test results were astonishingly excellent.” (“astonishingly excellent” is not how most doctors would describe results)
• “If elected, Trump, I can state unequivocally, will be the healthiest individual ever elected to the presidency.” (no comment needed)

The few details, in addition to blood pressure, that Dr. Bornstein provided are important. They include;

• Trump has lost at least 15 lbs. in twelve months
• PSA test score 0.15 (very low)
• Is on 81 mg aspirin daily
• Takes a low dose of a statin drug

I find it interesting that Dr. Bornstein describes Mr. Trump’s cardiovascular status as excellent even though he is on medications to help prevent a heart attack.

I also find it strange that a blood lipid profile wasn’t shared.

If Dr. Bornstein’s is correct in his assertion that Mr. Trump is healthier than any President Elect in history, then we’ve elected some sick dudes since 1789.

It  doesn’t look like the next President is going to raise the profile of WFPB diets.   However, maybe the next President will be brave enough to appoint Dr. John McDougall as Surgeon General of the United States.

Now that would be something we could call astonishingly excellent.