Can I Have Healthy Blood Work Levels on a Whole Food Plant-Based Diet?

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Explore the intersection of veganism and health as we delve into the intriguing question: Can I Have Healthy Blood Work Levels on a Whole Food Plant-Based Diet? In this revealing video, we accompany a dedicated Whole Food Plant-Based Vegan on their journey to uncover the truth about their blood work results. From cholesterol levels to vitamin markers, we leave no stone unturned in deciphering the impact of a plant-based lifestyle on overall health. Join us as we navigate through the intricacies of nutrition, dissecting the myths and realities surrounding veganism's effects on the body. Whether you're a seasoned vegan, considering the switch, or simply curious about plant-based diets, this video offers invaluable insights into optimizing health through conscious food choices.
CHAPTERS
00:00 - Intro
02:59 - Why do I need to get blood work done?
04:48 - My Blood Tests
06:06 - Hematology
09:08 - Urinalysis
10:44 - Glucose / Blood Sugar
12:13 - How to lower my Blood Sugar or A1C
16:46 - Lipids / Cholesterol
19:46 - Routine Chemistry
20:19 - B12 Test
22:58 - Ferritin / Iron
24:17 - Final Thoughts on my Plant-Based Blood Work
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NOTE: I am not a doctor, dietitian or nutrition expert. The information provided is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment. Please consult with your doctor before changing your diet.

[@heatherupstone1614]

Well done! My blood tests dramatically improved after the only change I made: No oil & No Animals! And I’ve never felt better!

[@i2sky532]

My dr was skeptical, but after 3 mo WFPL, my cholesterol dropped from 164 to 134, HS CRP dropped from 7 to 3, glucose went from 89 to 88, ALT from 57 to 53. A1C from 5.2 to 5.1 and insulin from 19.5 to 11. Needless to say...she's now a believer.

[@PinkieJoJo]

Nice. I’m slowly going plant based from a high fat low carb diet and my sugar alone went from 120 to 76. All of my labs dropped except triglycerides went up by 100 points thus far one month in of no animal products. So I’m really trying to keep the oils out all together now as well and to eat only whole plant fats.

[@i2sky532]

@PinkieJoJo wow! Impressive drop. Good luck to you!

[@pbwithjeremy]

AMazing!!!!! You just changed a very important mind - good for you!

[@katerinaleoudi8801]

Hallo Jeremy, Thank you so much for this video 😊 I would be interested in a video with a doctor (and you of course) explaining how to optimise your numbers if you are already in a normal range. And perhaps giving insights to all of us that have gut issues because that messes up your numbers as well. Thank you 🙏🏻

[@pbwithjeremy]

Alright - time to find us a plant-based doctor to do a live interview with!!!!

[@katerinaleoudi8801]

Thank you Jeremy, That would be great 😊

[@greenagervegancookingwithm6429]

Wait, I have gut issues (IBS-Constipation)...How does it affect our numbers?!?!? I didn't know this!

[@rommyh5258]

I think it’s so useful for you to share your results and explain these routine but important tests! I tests all of these every day on patients that don’t even know or question what they do, so thank you for that! From a WFPB clinical lab tech in Gainesville Florida, Romy 👋🏼

[@pbwithjeremy]

My pleasure Romy - and thank you for what you do! You must see a lot of sad cases :(

[@shgascoi]

I have genetically high lipoprotein (a) which makes my LDLs extra sticky. Because of this I have to keep my LDL under 50. They found the problem because they tested for it when I had a heart attack and there was no reason it should have happened. All my other tests were better than normal. My LDL at the time was 52. My LDL now is 42.

[@tanyas.9688]

Congrats Jeremy! Great results. Loved that low cholesterol and triglycerides! This is inspiring. 😊

[@pbwithjeremy]

Glad you enjoyed it! You can do it!

[@26laf]

Congrats, this is such clear proof of the benefits of being plant based. Take that, skeptics! I am plant based and just had my bloodwork done, like you, everything was well into the normal range. I'm 62 and most of my friends are taking statins for cholesterol and blood pressure medication, which I'm glad I don't need to do. I think the best way to avoid that is to be active and plant based.

[@pbwithjeremy]

Love this! You're doing it right! Congrats on a clean bill of health!

[@amburkajama]

I'm being nit-picky, but coconut doesn't have any cholesterol. It is, however, high in saturated fat, which can raise cholesterol. Cholesterol is only found in animal products.

[@pbwithjeremy]

It causes it.... so what's the difference?

[@vi3472]

Great video, Jeremy! Congratulations on your fantastic blood work results! You are a model “vegan-type person” 😁👍👏💪 I would suggest checking your thyroid levels and Vitamin D levels next time. Yes please, to a part 2 of this type of video. I’m so happy for you that everything checked out ok!

[@tenapit]

All of that has been done too

[@debracarr614]

Thank you so much for sharing

[@jamiehirschi2361]

Good job, Jeremy!

[@davidthescottishvegan]

Another awesome video Jeremy and great to know that you and your family are doing well on a plant based diet. Yes, a plant based diet can help reverse or manage chronic disease ( it is not guaranteed to reverse every disease). Love 🥰 the video and love Jeremy & family.

[@lydiareyes2150]

Great video!

[@osoniye4209]

Thanks for doing this video. Glad your labs are within a good range!

[@pbwithjeremy]

Our pleasure!

[@juliewillis8182]

Another thoughtful, well researched, and well presented informational video. Thanks, Jeremy!

[@pbwithjeremy]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jackiekitchen4860]

Great info!! You obviously have a great doctor, I found it painful to get a blood test for these things…. I did get my B12 tested and it was 660 so I take a B12 3 times a week!! My cholesterol was great prior to eating vegan so I wasn’t too worried about that 😁 your video will give me the benefit of asking for the best tests for next time!! Cheers from NB 🇨🇦

[@pbwithjeremy]

You're welcome. My doctor didn't really have anything to do with it - they use different clinics for that sort of thing here in Canada so you can arrange it youself. Covered by Health Care for regular intervals.

[@debrabrandt3528]

I’ve only been plant based for almost two months and my glucose was 99 which is the lowest it’s been in over 15 years. And my cholesterol was down 30 points and I’m on a statin. I will say my B12 was a little on the low side, so I started take it 1000mg per day, so I’m sure that will go up. I can’t wait to see where I am at the six month mark. I’m 66 for reference. 😁👍

[@pbwithjeremy]

Keep us up-to-date. Let us know how it goes. Congrats so far.

[@marly1869]

Hi Jeremy! Thank you for sharing your labs and discussing the importance of having routine screenings 🤓🙌🏼 I would definitely request a hsCRP-tests the inflammation and especially for heart disease Also, a fasting insulin level, that gives us a heads up if our body is insulin resistant ahead of it showing up in the A1C.

[@i2sky532]

Both my CRP and insulin were high before WFPB. Now, all's well. I'm so happy

[@msicottevt]

Jeremy I always struggle with what to ask for. What markers? What panel?

[@artistmama1]

Hi Jeremy, you should have had your protein levels tested. I have been WFPB for 5 years, and my protein levels were deficient. I was having weird symptoms that my doctor was concerned about. So I have started making sure to get high protein plant based foods daily, and I'm feeling a lot stronger and overall, just better.

[@pbwithjeremy]

I'll have them tested next time. Thx!!!

[@wackmedia]

Great video! Also, love your couch - where did you get it? :)

[@pbwithjeremy]

I made it! Kidding. Leon’s in Toronto

[@journeyofbear6423]

Years ago I was starting to eat more plant based. I was talking to my doctor about what I was doing. When I told him I was enjoying some hearty salads for lunch he was worried I should add some chicken so I didn't get hungry to quickly. No I did not add the chicken.

[@pbwithjeremy]

Good for you!

[@esragodot]

Thanks for sharing! It's reassuring ! I'm wfpb for years, never ate as good and healthy as now, but never ever had been so insecure of getting all the vitamins and minerals etc. Really absurd(my bloodwork is fine). Few years ago I had coffee and cigarettes for breakfast and never ever thought about if it's good for my body! Beside the B12 you don't take any other supplements, aren't you?

[@pbwithjeremy]

Funny how once we get healthy we worry. I take vitamin C and D a few times a week.

[@elizabethdurocher7348]

Hey Jeremy , I’m so glad you just made this video. I’ve been a vegan for 6 months and started to experience hair loss. I got my blood checked and it turns out my ferritin level is too low. It’s still in the normal range for labs but for hair growth it’s under. I have been trying to supplement with natural foods to raise it however it’s not helping.I’m hoping to avoid an iron supplement pill. I’m interested to know if any other women are experiencing this as you mentioned our levels are trickier to maintain because of our cycles. So if any of your female followers could help me with some tips that would be very helpful!

[@esragodot]

Hi Elizabeth, add an acid to iron-rich foods, like lentils, chickpeas, it helps with the iron absorption.

[@SpringFlowers537]

There’s usually a transition period. Eat lots of green leafy vegetables:)

[@Barbara-ch3qf]

It’s my understanding that lemon or other citrus works to make the iron in greens and lentils etc bioavailable better than vinegar.

[@pbwithjeremy]

Thanks for chiming in everyone!

[@nancyferland6044]

Try cooking with cast iron cookware. I've heard that cooking tomato based dishes like once a month can give your iron stores a boost.

[@blindkimberly1360]

My doctor moved to Tennessee during covid to be near his elderly parents. Because of covid I couldn’t find a doctor. Now after covid I haven’t been able to find a local doctor at all. If I get hurt I’ve got to go to urgent care or the ER. When I hurt my hip recently I asked the urgent care doc if they could run my bloodwork. Nope. I need to see “my” gp for that. But I’m glad your blood work results are so awesome! Thank you for sharing! Right now I’m doing my best not to go for cookies. They’re calling my name and I don’t even have any in the house! Unfortunately I can bake. But I refuse. So far. 😎

[@pbwithjeremy]

That's insane that you can't get a doctor and the ER won't let you do your blood work - they can't make an exception?!

[@pbwithjeremy]

Are there no walk-in clinics? THat's what would happen in Canada. No one gets turned away.

[@pbwithjeremy]

Woolie found this... maybe it's helpful: myonemedicalsource.com/lab-test/#:~:text=Direct%20access%20testing%20(DAT)%20allows,direct%2Dto%2Dconsumer%20testing

[@blindkimberly1360]

@@pbwithjeremy the ER won’t even take you in for non emergency since covid. Hubby had an arterial bleed on his head and almost bled out because the staff weren’t wanting to let him in! Luckily they had plenty of plasma to get him stable. I’m still hopping mad at that!

[@blindkimberly1360]

@@pbwithjeremy we have urgent cares in most cities around us. Think that’s why the ER gets away with turning folks away. But you have to call first to see if the doctor on duty will agree to handle your symptoms. Hubby had shingles from his buttock through his groin involving one testicle and half his penis. Went through 3 clinics before I found one willing to go there! Was a holiday weekend so he couldn’t go to his regular doc. If I had something they needed to do bloodwork for they’d only order those specific tests. Hubby used my same doctor but when he moved away the nurse practitioner took over his care. But the doctors there say they’re not equipped to handle my care. 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@tenapit]

Great Video. Working on lowering my husbands triglycerides, which is a complete mystery as to why they are high. Did new blood work today with some specific test and we also did a calcium scan to check to see if his arteries are not affected and if it’s just a genetic thing. I cannot think of anything that he’s eating that would be causing this. I mean we don’t even eat coconut anything for at least the past year trying to figure this out.

[@edwam0109]

Maybe check his thyroid. I have high calcium too. Just a thought.

[@amburkajama]

Coconut is high in saturated fat which can raise cholesterol, but I don't think it would raise triglycerides. I believe an increase in carb intake can increase triglycerides, but you might want to consult a plant-based registered dietician.

[@tenapit]

@@amburkajama well good news is his artery scan came back at 0. So at least we know it’s not affecting that. We do not eat coconut

[@pbwithjeremy]

THat's great to hear - thank you for the update - and thanks to others for chiming in!

[@kathysharp7551]

If his triglycerides are higher now but we're not so high before, then this may help. I have heard that when someone changes their diet from unhealthy to heart healthy their LDL goes down but sometimes their triglycerides go up. It is supposed to be a temporary thing I think. If that fits your husband's experiance, maybe look into this idea to see if my recollection is accurate.

[@crystaltorres7313]

Ive been of and on eating whole plant based food my cholsterol test came back real good but my vit d was low and my iron is low 😬

[@pbwithjeremy]

Most people need a vitamin D supplement. Or have more walks in the sun :) Lots of plant-based food with good iron amounts!

[@rochellepryor8974]

Some nutritional yeast is not fortified with B 12.

[@pbwithjeremy]

Yes - I'll say that moving forward - thank you

[@Sellsangel]

Awesome that your blood work is so good. I have been WFPB for about 5 years. Absolutely no oil or packaged food. I have higher cholesterol now than any other time in my life 😭

[@pbwithjeremy]

How much coconut are you eating?

[@Sellsangel]

@@pbwithjeremy none. Should have said that.

[@johnshinski2994]

so when u removed cholesterol and all oil from your diet your serum cholesterol went up...hmmmm

[@pbwithjeremy]

Hrmmm. That’s definitely a conversation to have with a nutritionist. A doctor will put you on statins.

[@deecapps6637]

How high is it?

[@reneewhite8255]

Hi Jeremy. I was hoping you might share with the person that asked you about oxculates. I have to aware of my oxculates due to my body making huge kidney stones. My doctor said calcium helps. It attaches to the oxcilates to carry it from the body. He told me to eat a couple Tums after a meal with high oxcilate foods. Tums are all calcium. I carry them in my purse now. I tend to stay away from the foods, but if I have a little when I'm out, I pop a couple Tums. Hope this might help her too.

[@deecapps6637]

I have a friend who has a lot of kidney stones and her doctor told her to not take calcium. A lot of stones are calcium oxalate. So yes it does bind the oxalate but it can still form stones. Who knows?? So much conflicting information out there .

[@sharonknorr1106]

Here's the thing. Tums contain very large amounts of calcium which are not normally consumed at one time. This excess calcium can accumulate in your blood vessels and contribute to plaque and these types of supplements have been linked to heart disease. A better strategy would be to, for example, consume a glass of plant milk with your meal - that would contain calcium, but in a more "normal" amount or add another low oxalate, higher calcium vegetable to the meal. A lot of the oxalates can be eliminated by boiling higher oxalate vegetables, such as spinach and chard, for about 5-10 minutes and then draining off the water and adding the greens to your meal - so for example, if making beans and greens, boil the greens separately for a short while, drain, then add to the soup rather than totally cooking in the soup. You do lose some nutrients in the discarded water, but not as much as you might think. If you want a calcium rich green that is not as high in oxalates, kale is the better choice. Most people can handle oxalates in their diet, but if you are one that cannot, then you do need to take that into consideration. Kidney stones are no fun.

[@sharonknorr1106]

Actually, the calcium in the gut binds with the oxalate so it doesn't get into the bloodstream and then to the kidneys where they can form stones. When they have studied this, it is really about the total daily calcium uptake rather than what happens at each meal, so I am not sure if the timing of eating calcium and oxalate rich foods is that important.

[@reneewhite8255]

Thank you all for this information. It really helps. Have so enjoyed having Jeremy and you all in my corner. Such a wonderful community!

[@pbwithjeremy]

Our pleasure! This community is AMAZING. thank you for helping each other and sharing information!

[@dovaillancourt]

Hey Jeremy, how about iodine and vitamin D ?

[@doris3594]

Dr. Neal Barnard on PCRM recommends iodized salt and taking D3 and B12 supplements.

[@Barbara-ch3qf]

I just make sure I eat a tablespoon of dulce seaweed everyday for the iodine and supplement vitamin D.

[@Barbara-ch3qf]

Sorry dulse seaweed!

[@pbwithjeremy]

They were fine last time I checked - but I'll add it to my next one

[@lisatowan4536]

Man, would you consider switching blood work with me? 🤔 As a cancer patient, my levels are almost always way off. The only ones that are consistently really good are my blood sugar and A1C.

[@pbwithjeremy]

Glad to hear those are consistent. Hope the other ones work their way around. Has eating plant-based helped with them since the diagnosis?

[@lisatowan4536]

@pbwithjeremy It has helped. I face challenges because I have been severely protein calorie deficient for over ten years (even before I was eating more plant-based, just a deficiency in my body that we are still trying to figure out), and my body and blood levels take more of a hit on chemo than most people's, so at times, I have to get high calorie foods in me, no matter what they are. I am fortunate and am very in tune with my body, so if I listen to it, it craves the foods that contain the nutrients that I'm lacking. When I was low in potassium, my body craved beets, avocado, etc, and I was able to avoid going on pills for a long time. My doctor leans toward nutrition as a first step to treat me when we can, switching to pills when absolutely necessary. Doctors have told me that my overall health and fitness pre-cancer have really helped me. I am able to walk and function when my counts are life-threateningly low and the average person would be bedridden or may not survive. Doctors and nurses are always amazed. I think that food plays a big part in that.