There are countless supplements, diets, health plans, apps, machines and fads that promise health and weight loss. Most of us have bought into at least one of these at some point but how many of us have seen actual results or have read real research verifying they are effective and safe? Most people would jump at the chance to try the one simple thing they can do to prevent the most common diseases, look and feel younger, lose weight and keep your bones and eye sight strong.

So what is this magic bullet?

EAT LESS ANIMAL PRODUCTS

That’s it. It is a choice we make several times per day- what should I eat? If we choose to eat a whole foods, plant-based diet. We will live longer, function better, and stay healthier. Plus, it’s great for the planet.

So exactly how many animal products should I eat? Ideally none. The less animal products you eat, the more health benefits you’ll see. The more animal products you eat, the more chronic diseases you get. Period.

Going vegan sounds scary and overwhelming to some people. So does slowly dying of cancer or suddenly dying of a stroke. What we put in our bodies effects our physical and emotional well being. Personally, I choose health. And if you want all the science behind the statements, check out the book The China Study by T. Colin Campbell PhD and Thomas M. Campbell II. It is the most comprehensive study of nutrition and its effects on health ever conducted.

Here are just a few facts directly from the first 6 pages:

• Synthetic chemicals in the environment and in your food, as problematic as they may be, are not the main cause of cancer.

• The genes that you inherit from your parents are not the most important factors in determining whether you fall prey to any of the ten leading causes of death.

• Obsessively controlling your intake of any one nutrient such as carbohydrates, fat, or cholesterol, will not result in long-term health.

• Dietary change can enable diabetic patients to go off their medication.

• Heart disease can be reversed with diet alone.

• Breast cancer is related to levels of female hormones in the blood, which are determined by the food we eat.

• Consuming casein, the protein in dairy products, promotes all stages of cancer.

• Cancer growth is able to be turned on or off simply by changing the amount of animal protein consumed by research animals.

Following a whole foods, plant-based diet is the best way to stay healthy.

Being an office that uses Traditional Chinese Medicine, we are able to incorporate the best of both of concepts. Every food has its own property and medicinal value. So using mostly plants we can treat our bodies to what they really need throughout the year and cycles of health.

The owners of Garden Acupuncture don’t just talk the talk. They live the standards they know to work. Alex, one of the owners has been a strict vegan for over 15 years and has written a book on health and weight loss. Lisa, the other owner, began her vegetarian journey at the age of 10. For more information visit GardenAcu.com