Oils & Supplements (Vit D, Vit B12 & Probiotics) in Plant-Based Eating with Dr. John McDougall

[@PaintSlinger]

Thank you Dr John McDougall for your 40 years of undieing dedication and research, to healing people. All the information is free on his website. I lost 135 lbs and am off 8 medications in just 2 weeks after starting his program. Cured my diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, intestinal issues, arthritis, acne, halitosis, and aches and pains. Yes I was cured and off all medications in the first 2 weeks. He saved another life. Thank you Dr. John McDougall. Thank you. We are listening to your message, given with such passion. I am now dedicated to spreading the word and his message. This lifestyle is simple, cheap, and after you experience how great you can feel, you will never go back to killing yourself with the spoon and fork again. Thanks again. .

[@AugustaWilliamsJr]

dasun kaluarachchi

[@tonywhyman9263]

Words Bloom Sporting Thanks Thanks I appreciate you ?.?

[@tonywhyman9263]

Paint Slinger you.

[@BeckRD1]

Paint Slinger That is wonderful, Paint!

[@abubakrkhan9335]

P

[@akuma2892]

One of my favorite McDougall interviews. You actually let the man talk without constantly interrupting. 👍🏻👏🏻

[@Healthytarian]

Wonderful to hear! Thanks so much for your feedback.

[@3azm0]

Very professional interviewer ... Really appreciate her patience and just not interrupting

[@Healthytarian]

Thank you kindly for your feedback :)

[@Pattiehorwitzart]

Wonderful interview. Finally someone who lets the guest speak!!! Very informative and helpful. Thank you!

[@Healthytarian]

Thank you for your great feedback Patrice!

[@carrieschugar9143]

Amazing interview with an amazing man and doctor. I read Dr. McDougall's book The McDougall Program back in about 1991. I learned so much from him and understood at such a young age that we don't just inherit genes but also our family's lifestyles. It is doctors like him that helped me understand plant-based nutrition. Been vegan for 29 years. Thank you for this delightful interview!

[@Healthytarian]

My pleasure Carrie, and thank you so much for sharing your feedback and personal experience. So good to hear about your excellent dietary choices!

[@irisschneiderman7784]

I just adore this doctor! He is so compelling and dedicated. I hope he continues to do this work despite all his other family plans for the future

[@Healthytarian]

Thank you for sharing your nice feedback Iris.

[@anthonyjames2366]

Great interview. Thanks for letting him talk without interrupting him constantly like most interviewers on TV do to their interviewees :P

[@Healthytarian]

Thank you, I appreciate your feedback.

[@mgal6234]

This man, along with T. Colin Campbell and Dr. Greger, is my HERO. Forget actresses or authors or rocket scientists...these men are making a difference to our health, the lives of animals, and the entire world. And they’re humble. Bless you, Dr. McDougall!❤️

[@Healthytarian]

Yes indeed! Thanks for your great comment Melissa :)

[@judithsoltesz]

Melissa G I would add Dr Neal Barnard too! They are all great!

[@sassysandie2865]

And Dr. Pam Popper

[@relaxingaudioforchillongou488]

Lop at an actress being your hero. Those people are almost always crazy AF.

[@JAHQ79]

There are two men in this world whoms hand I would be honored to shake one day. Dr. John McDougall and Dr. T. Colin Campbell.

[@gosiakonstanty3456]

What an inspiring interview. I absolutely love it. Dr McDougall is incredible.

[@Healthytarian]

Glad you enjoyed it and thank you for your lovely feedback, Gosia.

[@genericeric0102]

As always thank you Dr John, I've learned so much from you for free from resources on KZbin, I'm forever in your debt, saving my life through health eating.

[@Healthytarian]

+eric jones Thank you for watching Eric, and sharing your great feedback and appreciation about Dr. McDougall's work.

[@irisschneiderman7784]

Greatest free medical advice

[@Kina.Keefner]

This is great. Appreciate the experience and consistency of Dr McDougall. Great graphics in the presentation. And I love you Evita! Your demeanor and astute listening are so unique and refreshing. You are a gem. Please keep sharing videos.

[@Healthytarian]

Thank you so much Christina. Your feedback and encouraging comment is greatly appreciated!

[@jackieread9718]

Dr. McDougal is invaluable to the human race. He tells the truth, as uncomfortable as it might be. God knows what kind of health I would have now, if not for following his advice and guidance these years!

[@Healthytarian]

Thank you for sharing your great feedback and comment Jackie.

[@purewater77887]

New sub here. I really appreciate your no nonsense, no frill, respectful and professional approach to interviewing your guests.

[@Healthytarian]

+Sapientissima184521 Thank you so much for letting me know. Very grateful for your feedback!

[@bonnies.d.1121]

Yes, Evita Ochel is refreshingly intelligent and non-interruptive!

[@Healthytarian]

Thank you for your positive feedback Bonnie :)

[@susannahats6358]

Thank you both very much for this interview.

[@Healthytarian]

You are most welcome! Thank you for watching :)

[@meganashleyrowe1]

Agh Dr Mc Dougal is so excellent!!!!! Changed my life.

[@Healthytarian]

Great to hear! Thanks for watching and sharing your comment.

[@lorain9517]

After this video, the first advertisement that came up was "The best probiotic". The worst place to advertise. I could listen to this doctor all day long and special thanks to Evita to let us enjoy by not interrupting him. Those little "side topics" are so important too but he always finds his way to back to his original thoughts. A great doctor, a great teacher, a great speaker, a great human being.

[@Healthytarian]

Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback and glad to hear you enjoyed the presentation. As for the ads, unfortunately that is the way of the KZbin marketing system, where ads are randomly put outside of the creator's control.

[@Doriesep6622]

We love you Ms Evita! Perfect host!

[@Healthytarian]

Thank you so much for your kind comment :)

[@flyshacker]

Superb questions and superb answers! Thank you for this terrific interview.

[@Healthytarian]

You are most welcome :) Thanks for your comment.

[@jcjensenllc]

flyshacker what question?!? He ranted for several minutes without answering her question. He then ranted for most of video answering the first of three questions (suppliments, B12 and D, and probiotics or microbiome). FYI, a baby is inoculated mostly by the bateria in birth canal, not fecal matter. This man needs to retire.

[@heidiwhite695]

I shared this on my FB page....😎👍 These types of posts average about two "likes" among my meat eating friends. The rest probably roll their eyes and just scroll on. But that's ok, I'm not going to remain quiet. Great webinar! Thanks

[@Healthytarian]

Thanks for sharing it Heidi, and for your comment and feedback. I can relate to that, as even amongst my work and the people who follow it, most don't want to change their ways and are very good at ignoring or denying information that is actually in their favor to decrease/eliminate the unnecessary stress and suffering that comes from improper eating and lifestyles, and leads to all sorts of disease, weight problems and a decreased quality of living.

[@bonnies.d.1121]

Yep, even my own dear Co-op just had a celebration and touted burgers for the day. : - (

[@yellowdreams5897]

Yeah even they will add you on restricted friends list

[@plantspirit9289]

This was a great interview-I think one of Dr. McDougalls best.. . I learned a lot of new information.. and he reminded me of the things I already know. I find it very helpful to hear important information I am familiar with over and over again so I am able to have a really firm grasp and understanding on such a huge and complex subject matter.. Thank you for having him on your show.

[@Healthytarian]

You are most welcome and thank you for your kind feedback and comment. What you are doing is excellent to immerse yourself in supportive information, as given that our world is still so backwards and unsupportive when it comes to proper eating and living, it is up to us to keep ourselves focused, motivated and clear about the right choices. Best to you on your health journey!

[@anitaperry7964]

I really enjoyed the interview with Dr. McDougall. What he said makes a lot of common sense. Thanks so much.

[@Healthytarian]

Great to hear and you are most welcome!

[@cr3062]

I can't believe I'm 62 and just recently found out about the McDougals Better late than never...but...how much better 40 years ago ;-)

[@Healthytarian]

The body is ready to heal and change whenever we are :) Best wishes, Cindy.

[@marycantarella8653]

Thank you Dr McDougall. You saved me with your wonderful diet. God bless you!

[@rae7269]

Mary Cantarella what diet?

[@simondko93]

@@rae7269 what diet?

[@Healthytarian]

Thank you for your great feedback.

[@JAHQ79]

@@rae7269 a starchbased vegan diet

[@johnmooter2300]

I appreciate the interviewer listening and asking great questions

[@Healthytarian]

Thank you for your feedback, John.

[@mabmab88]

Well! That was a very useful video! Thanks! It's always a pleasure to listen to Dr. McDougall, and the topics were well chosen!

[@Healthytarian]

Great to hear you enjoyed. Thank you for watching and sharing your comment.

[@magicsupamoggie]

Great interview. Lovely to have an interviewer who is calm and doesn’t shout and the info and explanations from Dr McG. Brilliant. Q. What about MSM? Is that safe to take?

[@Healthytarian]

Thank you for your nice feedback, Anne. With regard to MSM, it is similar to other supplements, meaning that it is not ideal to take any isolated and processed compounds unless your health needs specifically dictate its need, and the benefits outweigh the risks. The best way to treat arthritis is first by changing the diet from an acidifying one to an alkalizing one. This means eating a whole food, plant-based diet that is based on lots of fresh frutis, vegetables, and legumes. Diets that include animal products and highly refined foods are extremely acidifying and create the most inflammation in the body. This will allow your body to heal to a great degree and reverse some of the damange, as well as prevent more future damage. Secondly, there are natural healing therapies like herbs (real herbs, not supplements) that can help with arthritis, as well as classical homeopathy and accupuncture, which can all reduce the pain, inflammation, and reverse or prevent the destruction of tissues. All of the above are much more in alignment with the body and much more effective at actually helping and healing than any synthetic and isolated supplement.

[@omgbbdog]

Thank you so much for the interview - very informative. Thank you also for taking time to make notes. I can always go back to rewatch some points when needed :)

[@Healthytarian]

You are very welcome :) Thanks for your kind comment and feedback!

[@susannahats6358]

I am subscribing, can't miss interviews like this one!!:) I love Dr.M, watching his weekly webinars and lots of videos, have his books too ,thank you both for your time and sharing:)

[@Healthytarian]

You are very welcome. Thank you for your feedback :)

[@nomad9338]

Thank you so much for this, Dr McDougall is saving lives with this information.

[@Healthytarian]

You are most welcome!

[@Debbieanne51]

Always good to see Dr Mcdougall, and yourself. Excellent video,thank you. God bless.

[@Healthytarian]

+Debbieanne Marsden Such a pleasure to read your comment, thank you :)

[@karmengama407]

I love this doctor 👨‍⚕️ ❤️

[@Healthytarian]

Thank you for sharing your nice comment.

[@BeckRD1]

Thank you for enlightening me to your simple truths about food. Much love and gratitude from me to you.

[@Healthytarian]

Thank you for sharing your kind comment!

[@Gkuljian]

So eating animal products suppresses vitamin D levels? That's amazing. I keep learning by watching hundreds of these talks, and never getting tired of it. Another important reason to abandon animal "foods". I was so ill for years, I never thought I would see a normal day again. But here I am, feeling young again. Bless these giants of the medical world.

[@Healthytarian]

Thank you so much for sharing your comment and experience.

[@Doriesep6622]

I'm vegan, but low in Vit D. And I have been taking 1600 IU a day.

[@cheezheadz3928]

@@Doriesep6622 Most people are "considered deficient" because of this scammer! khn.org/news/how-michael-holick-sold-america-on-vitamin-d-and-profited/

[@arlrmr7607]

Evita, Just echoing others' comments. I can't go one minute without interrupting the other person. You really shamed me by being such a patient, respectful, and silent listener. But this is good shame. I will listen to this video again and again not just for the Doc's wisdom but for your wonderful quiet presence. *Your videos should always be split screen where you are continuously visible.* You will teach us to be good respectful listeners. God bless.

[@Healthytarian]

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your observations and kind feedback with me.

[@jasminhall6581]

Hi, I take Omega 3 krill and cut D3 plus CoQ10... Oh and B complex with B12. Thankyou for the truth, I am now Vegan, you are the guy that has convinced me over research of hundreds of other people. In my gut you feel right, thankyou for your research and sharing. I'm started to train as a health and holistic nutrition. Thankyou, thankyou.

[@Healthytarian]

Thanks for watching and sharing your comment, Jasmin.

[@Godisgood3311]

Thank you so much for having Dr John McDougall discuss supplements!! I was taking Vegan supplements that had over 3500% of daily recommended vitamin E. My Cholesterol was 30 points higher and I couldn’t understand why. Till I heard Dr Neal Barnard and Dr McDougall talk about Vitamin E in supplement which are very harmful. Thank you Dr McDougall for taking the time to help us!! 🙏💕🦋

[@Healthytarian]

Great to hear you benefitted from the video! And yes, supplements need to be assessed very cautiously as they can cause much more harm than most people realize. Glad to hear you are well and thank you for sharing your valuable comment.

[@sylviacharriemcdonald7644]

Thank you for the good information. Do you have a book on foods.thanks.

[@Healthytarian]

Hi Sylvia. Dr. McDougall has several books available, which you can find on Amazon here: amzn.to/2T2Vd62 And my health and nutrition book can be found on Amazon here: amzn.to/3oEFDtf

[@gailclay4905]

Thank you, Dr. McDougall, for your incite, you are saving me loads of money so I can buy more good foods...I really didn't like taking supplements but I thought it was a must for good health...the truth really will set you FREE!!!

[@Healthytarian]

Thanks for watching and sharing your great comment. And yes, you got it! The best approach is to invest in the right food. Our health is not created via isolated, extracted or synthetic substances, so taking supplements is not a healthy habit, like people have been led to believe. To your best health :)

[@tal2471983]

this guy is absolutely amazing every video I watch is just better than the other the information in this video is so relevant and I opening can't believe it got so little views I wish they could have been away to attach subtitles in Hebrew or Portuguese so my family but anyway thank you for a great video and thank you Dr McDougall for what you are doing

[@Healthytarian]

Great to hear and thank you so much for your wonderful feedback!

[@boldir5909]

Nice video, thank you! John McDougall is the best doc! :-)

[@Healthytarian]

+Boldizsar Rozsa Great to hear it resonated. Thanks for sharing your feedback!

[@joegamble328]

excellent video. respect dr. McDougall.

[@Healthytarian]

Thanks for watching and sharing your feedback!

[@darrell293]

Thanks outstanding program, it sounds like you both have got your heart in the right place for Humanity, enjoyed the information that was given out.

[@Healthytarian]

Our pleasure! And thank you so much for your beautiful comment.

[@lastarchsolutionfr3563]

Hello ! I'm a french girl who want to promote mcdougall in france, i have already awebsite of traductions about mcdougall work. I want to wonder you if i can use parts of this vidéo to use it on ma channel 'La starch solution FR' ? i want to make subs in french!this vidéo is a huge message to the vegan in france ! Thank you !

[@blademanu7]

Brilliant guy....keep it up...your a Revelation and inspiration 👍😎

[@Healthytarian]

Thank you for sharing your feedback about the video episode with Dr. McDougall.

[@its.usssjp]

We are definitely winning!!!!!

[@Healthytarian]

Thank you for your comment :)

[@colinsteam]

Where else can you get such good information.....thanks to both of you.

[@Healthytarian]

Our pleasure! You can get more great whole-food, plant-based info from either of our websites (Dr. McDougall = www.drmcdougall.com/) and (Mine = www.evitaochel.com/), and others like in in the whole-food, plant-based movement (like Forks Over Knives = www.forksoverknives.com/).

[@NooranOstadeian]

Valuable information. Thank you for providing this video.

[@Healthytarian]

Great to hear and you are very welcome!

[@pharrisph7]

Phenomenal video!

[@Healthytarian]

Great to hear! Thank you for your feedback.

[@esmeraldalopez4684]

I am so grateful to have found your simple Message of how to treat this body and care for it with the right whole foods from Mother Earth 🌏 God Bless you Dr. McDougall!! You speak the simple truth and that is such a gift.

[@Healthytarian]

Thank you for writing such a beautiful comment Esmeralda.

[@matthewkusha4240]

I enjoy learning from John. He's like, and sounds like, the Warren Buffet of nutrition for body health.

[@Healthytarian]

Thanks for the nice feedback about Dr. McDougall.

[@palecompass3598]

My daughter's pediatrician insists I give daily drops of vitamin D to my infant. I started when she was 4 months old, and have stopped and started since because I'm not convinced this is a good idea.

[@martacabrera5026]

Ecxellent Information,Thank you so much!

[@Healthytarian]

+Marta Cabrera Great to hear your feedback Marta, thank you!

[@_morningglory196]

Thank you. Excellent video.

[@Healthytarian]

Great to hear you enjoyed, thanks for your feedback!

[@MerseYattle]

this is awesome just the right amount and composition of info in compact format, maybe if put info about DHA and it would have been perfect for anyone any time to view important video

[@Healthytarian]

Great to hear your feedback. Thank you!

[@MohamedNadjmo]

thank you

[@Healthytarian]

You are most welcome! And thank you for watching.

[@patty-cf7jj]

What about food based supplements? Such as Mega Food brand?

[@Healthytarian]

If one insists on taking supplements, or if any are needed for actual therapeutic purposes, then definitely going with an organic, whole-food based supplement like Mega Food is the way to go. But otherwise, just go straight to the actual food itself, as nothing bottled and processed, no matter how ideal it is made out to be, will ever compare to real food.

[@ElectedOfficial1]

I take a Time release vitamin C because I'm not in the sun very much up north and I was taking vitamin D3, 50,000 IU a week from my doctor, but I'm looking at the adverse effects and I think I have flooded my system with it because of having no sun where i live. I have not taken any for a couple weeks. I also have just begun taking milk thistle for my diabetes, one - three capsules a day depending on how many meals of raw vegan veggies and rice I eat in a day. But my main concern is asking you about acidophilus as a probiotic. I don't know what it has to do with ph level but my pH is 6.5 and it should be 7 so I'm definitely acidic. Correct? I, in the past (because of false teeth and diabetes) was pressure cooking all of my vegetables in an organic vegetable broth. I was freezing some and keeping some to eat at all times during the day and doing intermittent fasting as well, Doing great! But I was worried about pressure cooking, and changed to Raw entirely until yesterday when I started eating some rice, but if I eat any sugar other than starch converted to sugar, my blood sugar will raise to four or five hundred). We have done two sittings of blood work which resulted in eight pages including ultrasound and all of my readings are perfect, potassium, Bunn, creatinine, urine, all. ( my BMI is at the bottom end of the scale), and we do not understand why my GFR is 47%. I went to see another doctor specialist who is doing a battery of tests through one last sitting of blood work, hopefully, and I'll find out then. Another off the subject question. Why would a hospital allow a technician who took my blood to shake like he had a disease, i.e. MS or Parkinsons, and miss my vein entirely,( and thank God my blood stopped) causing me to call for help having another technician take my blood easily from my other arm. My veins are huge and he said they were small. I can see them just looking because I don't like needles and I don't take blood tests until recently. But why would they allow this man in there to take people's blood? And they didn't use a tourniquet . Do they not use those anymore ? That's how long it's been I guess for me. I thought about talking to the hospital administrator but that would be a bad idea living in a small town. How would I get in touch with the medical board anonymously? They would never let me in the hospital again if found out that I reported the older technician, but I took pictures of my arms that nearly had gaping holes. Thank God I am a vegan, raw, and just yesterday began eating a little rice for substance. Balsamic rice. I have a little rice cooker that I got for $19.98 on qvc.com and it is just great. I think it's called Cooks Essentials. I got two of them. The greatest little things I've ever owned and they work great. I could never cook rice until now and I'm 66 years old. LOL Anyway I digress, boy do I digress. But are some supplements okay?

[@Healthytarian]

Barbara, here is some insight for you regarding the topics you inquired about: RE: vitamin C, this should have nothing to do with you living in a northern climate. If you are eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, especially raw ones, you are getting more than enough vitamin C. RE: vitamin D, your dosage of 50,000IU is dangerously high. If you would like to continue to take this, I recommend scaling back by a lot. Closer to 5,000IU would be a safer dose. However, I don't know your health history and you would need to consider all pros and cons with a trusted health care professional, who is holistically trained. RE: pH of 6.5. Your urine and saliva pH will always vary from day to day, being more acidic in the morning and should be neutral throughout the day. A reading of 6.5 in the morning is not bad, as we want the body to excrete excess acids effectively. Given the diet you are on, it will regulate your pH balance in the best and most natural way. No need to stress about this. RE: hospital staff, each medical setting is responsible for their own staff, and it is best always to address any concerns directly and locally with supervisors. Best wishes with your health and wellbeing.

[@remanyadav3990]

Yogurt rice fermented and soybeans sprouts , can they help me increasing vitamin b12 . I have maglobastic anmeia for almost 8 months

[@Healthytarian]

No, these are not guaranteed to help you increase B12. In any case of a serious deficiency, a supplement should be used. Diet can be used for cases of prevention, but once a deficiency sets in, you need to take more aggressive measures. It would be in your best interest to connect with a plant-based doctor who can help you address and solve your health needs specifically. Please refer to this site to find one: www.plantbaseddoctors.org/

[@sylviacharriemcdonald7644]

What's a good Fibre to have.

[@Healthytarian]

Sylvia, ALL whole plant foods are sources of fiber. This is where and how we are supposed to get our fiber. It is processed and refined foods that are low or devoid in fiber and animal foods have zero fiber. So any whole plant foods you eat, whether they be fruits, vegetables, beans, or grains, all contain excellent amounts of fiber. When you eat a whole food, plant-based diet you not only meet, but greatly exceed your fiber requirements.

[@lilyjokim]

I was losing a lot of hair and tried almost everything. I started taking Biotin and my hair started to come back, strong and quick. What are your thoughts on Biotin?

[@Healthytarian]

Always getting it from food first is best. Hair loss is attributed to many factors, normally stress and hormonal imbalance being the main two. If our diet is full of whole, plant foods, this provides us with the best nutrition and protection for every part of the body. In severe cases, a person may need to use a specific supplement, such as you chose to do, but these should be isolated cases, not the norm.

[@sueme1954]

Eggs. Salmon.

[@sylviacharriemcdonald7644]

Thanks

[@Healthytarian]

You are welcome, Sylvia.

[@glodusmuspell9069]

How am I supposed to get vitamin D in winter?

[@Healthytarian]

Hello Glodus. This question has been addressed several times in the comments below this video. If you search for "northern" and also search for "winter" you will get all the Q&As that have been covered to address this. In general, first, it is about NOT eating an inflammatory diet but eating a diet that supports vitamin D uptake, storage, and is naturally anti-inflammatory, as whole food, plant-based eaitng is. The more inflammatory a diet is, the more vitamin D is used up and depleted. Second, we need to have a healthy relationship with the sun when it has the vitamin D-producing ray potential, as the body stores this vitamin as part of reserves for months. Some plant and fungi foods, like certain mushrooms are also able to provide some vitamin D naturally that can contribute to maintaining it in our bodies. Besides that one should monitor their vitamin D levels annually through a blood test if any health concerns are already present and possibly supplement throughout the winter with an appropriate dose if they feel that the benefits of supplementing outweigh any potential risks. Do not rule out vitamin D supplements altogether, as for some people they can still provide a lot of value and protection. Ultimately, northern climates are harsh and will never be ideal places for human beings to thrive. What people have done and do to live in specific spots and what is actually best for them are two very different things. And so it also all depends on what each person is willing to do to optimize their health in the most natural and effective of ways. Best wishes!

[@glodusmuspell9069]

@@Healthytarian thank you very much for elaborate response. I live in Kazakhstan. It has harsh winters, but maybe I can go to mountains and sunbathe in sunny days once a week. Even though it's cold, but when hiking you are pretty worked up and warm

[@Healthytarian]

@@glodusmuspell9069 You are very welcome. It will be great to get the sun in a healthy way whenever you can, but do keep in mind that some northern regions simply do not get the vitamin D producing rays from the sun during the winter. It all depends on the latitude that one lives in, so the more you can do to reduce inflammation and stock up on vitamin D through plenty of healthy sun exposure during the warm months, the better.

[@CarlB_1962]

Excellent video.

[@Healthytarian]

+Carl B Thank you for watching and sharing your feedback.

[@liferebootspirit]

Excellent video. Thank you !

[@Healthytarian]

+Didier Rabesoa You are most welcome and thank you for your feedback.

[@okawidharta9247]

Thank you to let him talk

[@Healthytarian]

My pleasure. Thanks for watching.

[@XTCgy911]

Evita You are a very polite lovely young lady ..This is one of the best interviews I've seen YOU are a true professional ! Dr. Mcdougall , Thank you for your beautiful , brilliant mind ! You've changed my life !

[@Healthytarian]

Thank you for your wonderful feedback and kind comment Justin. It was very heart-warming to read

[@NooranOstadeian]

I still do not know the role of nuts in our diet. I became a vegan 6 months ago and so much to learn about my new life style. My next confusion is about the amount of fruits. How much is enough? And last but not least , what about red wine?

[@Healthytarian]

Nooran, nuts are a healthy part of a whole-food, plant-based and vegan diet, but they must simply not make up a large portion of the diet. The predominant foods we should depend on would be vegetables, fruits, grains and beans. Smart nut portions would be a handful or about 1/4 cup once per day. You can also have a similar amount of seeds each day. These are general guidelines and will vary depending on your health, activity levels, age, seasons of the year and even where you live. Northern climates benefit from more fat in the diet, than southern, warm areas. Bottom line, there is no magic number, have a little bit on a regular basis in your diet, as it feels right for you. With regards to fruits, here too there is no magic number. Some people do best on lots of fruits, some do best on small amount. To make it easy, you should have fruits in your diet daily, and about 2 to 4 different ones or fruit servings is a good general guideline. But it is essential that you learn to work with your body and personal needs, as there is no one size fits all. The most important is to eat enough food daily from a foundation of whole, plant foods, and then use them in ways that most speak to you. As for red wine, there is much that can be said about it. First of all alcohol is alcohol. It is not a nutrient and it does have neurotoxic and carcinogenic properties. For some people a little bit of high quality wine is just fine, for others it is not. It all depends again on overall health and other factors. As a vegan, you will also want to research your wine, as not all wine is vegan. But most importantly, IF and WHEN a diet is based on whole, plant foods, and naturally low in fat, alcohol, including red wine is NOT a needed or helpful addition. There is nothing you will get from red wine, that the right diet will not provide, without the risks associated with alcohol. So if you enjoy the odd glass of a high quality, vegan red wine, then go for it. But do not drink it thinking that it is some "healthy habit", as that is not the case and something that has been misconstrued in our society. For more help and guidance about whole-food, plant-based and vegan diets, I explain every food group and similar substances step-by-step in "Healing and Prevention Through Nutrition": www.evitaochel.com/post/healing-prevention-through-nutrition

[@NooranOstadeian]

Thank you!

[@youngkevinsmith]

So can I have omega 3s in the form of whole or ground flaxseed?

[@Healthytarian]

Yes, most definitely. Whole foods are where we are supposed to get all of our nutrients from. In addition to flax seeds, chia and hemp seeds are also extremely rich sources of omega-3 fatty acids. Leafy greens, especially wild ones, and winter squashes and walnuts also have some omega-3s. This is why the most important thing is to eat the right diet, one that is full of nutrient-rich foods, as all whole plant foods are.

[@StarFlower99654]

I live in Alaska. We have a high suicide and depression rate. Don't vit D help with that? How do you get more sunshine during the 8 month winter? Please ask this to Dr McDougall. We are outdoors during all seasons, however we wear gloves and scarves that limit skin exposure to the sun for the winters. I do full body sun exposure in summer. My levels are below normal without supplementation. Want to know what he would have to say of this. He only mentioned as far North as Boston in reference to sunshine exposure.

[@Healthytarian]

Thank you for watching and sharing your comment. Your question has several answers and considerations that must be taken into account. Unfortunately extreme northern climates are harsh with or without the sunshine. In an ideal situation humans should not be living there, at least not full time. For example, some tribes of native peoples throughout North America would frequently migrate to southern areas in the past. Our human anatomy and physiology is suited best for temperate climates. The fact that humans have populated further reaching areas and learned to survive there is a whole other story. Yes, we can make the best of a place, but in order to thrive for a human certain conditions must be met, which northern climates simply cannot provide. So it is not an easy choice, or perhaps even easy for some to hear, but it is what it is, and the more we become health conscious, and the more open we are to exploring our choices in life, the more we are likely to align with areas and lifestyle habits that are for our highest good. From another perspective, Inuit people have learned to survive in harsh northern climates by depending heavily on the main food available in such areas, like fish and seals, which are high in vitamin D. Of course, this is not an ideal food source on which humans can thrive, and so such cultures can survive just fine, but their health and lifespan reflects the limits of their diet and regional stresses. From another yet perspective, technically healthy bodies store enough vitamin D to get them through the winter months, given enough exposure throughout the summer months. Of course there are many limiting factors here, like the health of the individual, and the amount of exposure they get, coupled with how long their winter is. Finally, high suicide and depression rates are common in harsh or stressful environments, but it goes way above and beyond just vitamin D. There are simply less opportunities for humans to thrive, and that takes a major toll on many people, often very unconsciously. Just the limited social and economic factors of northern areas, especially in small towns, alone can wreak havoc on an individual's sense of wellbeing and motivation or desire to live. So as I shared with you, there are many considerations to take into account here, and it is not a simple answer. At the end of the day, if we choose to live in a northern area and consume a whole--food, plant-based diet, which offers so much protection and benefits for life in any region, we will have to decide what the best thing for us will be personally, which may include taking some supplemental vitamin D. It is always important to do what we feel is right for us, as long as we are acting from an educated space.

[@aprilmarie1396]

StarFlower99654 yes i suffered from anxiety and depression for so long and after upping my vitamin d (d3) and b12 (methylb12) I stopped having anxiety attacks and my depression lifted

[@reynam5427]

Excellent interview I was so confuse of vatamin d thank u 💜 will be getring it from the 🌞 instead

[@Healthytarian]

Glad it was helpful! Thank you for your feedback.

[@Arishu666]

But what about people who work in shifts, Indoors with artificial light in the entire year? How am I supposed to get enough Vitamin D, especially in the winter months in germany...? About B12, so in theory I could take a 5000µg and it would last about 2 years, if I need like 10 µg a day? Or isn't it that simple?

[@Healthytarian]

Thanks for your inquiries Joshua. The answer to this will very much depend on how health-conscious we are and what we are motivated to do. There are many jobs and work environments in our modern society that are hard on our system, and literally not healthy for us to do. Some people feel they have no choice, and so they need to learn to make the best of tough situation, and help themselves in whatever way they can or feel is right for them. Others realize they have a choice and that their health is more important and so they make necessary and possible changes accordingly (i.e. change a job, place where we life, lifestyle habits, etc.). The foundation of human health is what it is: in order to thrive, humans must have sufficient access to sunlight, and whether we take a supplement or not, nothing will ever replace that. Humans must also have a wholesome, plant-based diet, enough regular sleep, a positive social outlet, and effective stress management. So if or when we feel we cannot give any of this to ourselves, we need to analyze our priorities and options. The way the human body works is that if we give it enough sun exposure throughout the spring, summer and into the fall, the body will store vitamin D to adequately last us through the winter (assuming a healthy-enough body and not excessively long winter). With regards to vitamin B12, theoretically the body takes years to deplete vitamin B12 sources, but it is not in our best interest to push our luck, especially given all of the numerous stressors in our modern world. For example, just drinking alcohol depletes the B vitamins more quickly from our body. So it is recommended to take vitamin B12 on a more regular basis, where you can take a high dose once a week or month, if you don't want to take a small dose daily. The body also does not absorb the listed amount from any given supplement. So if a supplement is 5000mcg, you are not actually getting that amount. How much you absorb will depend on many factors, including your health, the type of B12 it is, etc.

[@Arishu666]

Thank you for taking your time to answer :D

[@Healthytarian]

You are very welcome!

[@Gosia-zv5fi]

Brilliant !!! Thank you :)

[@Healthytarian]

Our pleasure and thank you for watching Gosia.

[@strategicthinker8899]

This was great!

[@Healthytarian]

Thank you for your feedback!

[@sohnzurrechten]

Great video, thank you. Do you know why Dr. Mcdougall only recommends 1-4 fruits per day? Is there any relation to the liver? I guess the fruit is getting digested in the liver.. Greetings from Germany :)

[@victoriapence7402]

Because of the simple sugar (fructose)

[@Healthytarian]

Thank you for your comment and feedback. The recommendation is usually so that you have a good variety of other foods in your diet, plus Dr. McDougall is very pro-starch foods. Either way, you do not need to fear your fruits. They are one of the most perfect foods for us, our human body. Just eat them whole, fresh and hopefully organic. More info on high fruit in the diet with research is summed up well in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iGnHoWudgc2fbJI

[@joannf54]

Hi Dr.McDouglall I have a bunch of issues ,I have really uncomfortable intestinal issues also. high bp ,a thyroid problem , bad circulation and hair l oss.

[@Healthytarian]

Hi Joann, to get answers to your questions you'd have to contact Dr. McDougall through his website or channel.

[@joannf54]

Healthytarian How can I rid my intestines of backed up stuff I'm very uncomfortable and my sides are killing me ll Thanks Joann

[@Healthytarian]

The best way is to remove processed, refined, junk and animal foods, and eat a whole-food, plant-based diet, along with drinking lots of water. Here is the optimal health food guide (www.evitaochel.com/post/optimal-health-food-guide). More fruits and green smoothies (kzbin.info/www/bejne/jHm9k4ykZ5yAgdk ) will be very helpful to start clearing out your intestines at this time especially. You may also wish to consider colon hydrotherapy and emotional freedom technique (EFT), as part of full holistic healing.

[@melissaro6831]

Do these supplements include prenatals as well?

[@Healthytarian]

Please read this article and others like it from Dr. McDougall to approach pregnancy is the safest and smartest way possible: www.drmcdougall.com/misc/2011nl/jan/pregnancy.htm

[@justmeonthebeach]

Very good info.

[@Healthytarian]

Thanks for watching!

[@theartificialsociety3373]

I think people should be worried about hidden supplements like standard commercial breakfast cereals, nutritional yeast, supplemented juices, supplemented vegan milks.

[@Healthytarian]

+The Artificial Society Yes, this is also an important point of awareness, as synthetic supplements in foods do not provide the same level of benefits or protection as real, whole food does. This is why the focus should always be on whole, natural plant foods, not processed foods, and it is easy to do for those who choose this path. For example, homemade almond milk is super easy to make and does not require any supplements, like the watered-down store-bought versions.

[@TheAhmedvienna]

Wished he talked about dha and epa in algae oil.

[@Healthytarian]

There generally is no need for even a plant-based omega-3 supplement when one is eating a whole food plant-based diet of basic variety that covers foods that naturally contain omega-3 and are naturally anti-inflammatory. The possible exceptions are if a person is pregnant or dealing with a chronic disease that would be helped by specific DHA or EPA boosts. For more info about this, please see my guide on omega-3 fatty acids: www.evolvingwellness.com/post/evolutionary-modern-perspectives-on-the-omega-3-essential-fatty-acids

[@doriesse824]

What about people who live in the north where it's cold and dark more than half of the year?

[@Healthytarian]

That all depends on what each individual is willing or ready to do. We cannot speak for others, and expect a uniform or one-size-fits all answer. The most effective change always comes from focusing on ourselves and making the best changes and choices that we can. But let's take the example you bring up, as it is a common question for many, and explore it further for solutions. For starters, humans can never thrive in harsh, northern climates, especially if they don't have access to wholesome plant foods. They can survive, yes. They can adapt to do the best they can, yes, but not thrive. (As it stands currently, as a human race we have yet to learn what it means to thrive regardless of where we live.) So ideally, humans should not be living in such climates given that our entire human anatomy and physiology is best suited for temperate regions. But as it goes with humans, they want to explore and conquer other areas, and once they find a suitable enough region or are forced there for some reason, they learn to make the best of it. And if they are fortunate enough to survive, and learn to cope with it, people easily get settled and stuck in their ways, not eager or likely to change. (The more suffering or sub-ideal conditions we learn to put up with, the less motivated we are to seek a better way.) So in the far north, humans need to eat whatever is available to survive. Now given our modern conveniences, many major cities, even in northern parts, like Sweden, Finland, Canada, and so on, have access to lots of plant foods. (Here is an example of how the world is changing when people choose to change: www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/one-in-ten-swedes-is-vegetarian-or-vegan-according-to-study-9212176.html) They may not have the variety other parts would, but they still have something that can make a big positive difference, if those foods are predominantly relied upon. In such cases, one can make the best of what they have by choosing as many whole, plant foods as possible. Plus, almost every area of the world today has access to basic starchy staples like rice and beans, for example. Other options, and this will depend on how motivated someone is to change or "disturbed" by a life that is either inefficient, unhealthy or out of alignment with their values, can be to physically move to a more hospitable area. Or they can learn how to grow their own food and/or preserve their own plant foods when there is high access to them, etc. Either way, lots of options and choices exist, but we first must be willing and open to seeing them. And at the very least we can always choose to do the best we can given any circumstances, which is often a huge improvement over not doing anything at all.

[@ElectedOfficial1]

Would it be better to have baked potatoes or pressure cooked potatoes? I can't eat them raw with false teeth and I don't think I would want to.

[@Healthytarian]

No, you wouldn't want to eat raw potatoes. Boiled is just fine, even though there will be some nutrient loss. Baked is okay too, as long as there is no color change. Roasted, browned or fried potatoes should be avoided, as they become problematic for our health.

[@danielmocanu2848]

Amazing!

[@Healthytarian]

Great to hear! Thanks for sharing your feedback.

[@Strangepete]

I don't say this lightly: Two of my favorite people in the world! So much gratitude to the both of you. And may I just say Evita... My oh my do you ever look stunning

[@Healthytarian]

+Strangepete Very moved and flattered by your feedback. Thank you so much for taking the time to share your beautiful comment

[@Strangepete]

Healthytarian You are very welcome and thank you for everything you are and do

[@bonnies.d.1121]

Yes, she is wonderful! And Dr. McDouglall is also one of my two most recent major influences. Another who has made a big difference in my progress is Jane McGonigal, from her TED talk about "adding ten years to one's life" by doing tiny exercises for four main life "resilencies." I think they shake people up out of neural ruts and are very effective for augmenting positive change.

[@lilijamoisejenoka4353]

Concerning Vitamin D it is also very important not to wear sunglasses . Doctor Andrea Moritz is talking about this.

[@Healthytarian]

Thank you for watching and sharing your tip!

[@dharmmasangha9133]

Really? Interesting. I hate sunglasses but feel guilty not wearing them

[@joegamble328]

I heard that too.

[@PLANTLIFE-lq1my]

why no sun glasss I never heard of this I have allways wear them please let me know thank you dr mcdougall love you & mary

[@antonkrebs5859]

Good stuff, right here.

[@Healthytarian]

Thank you for your feedback.

[@ElectedOfficial1]

How do we even out our pH. Mine is 6.5.

[@Healthytarian]

More leafy greens, and fresh fruits and vegetables in general. Here is my free acid-alkaline food guide you can easily consult to understand how to eat based on pH balance: www.evitaochel.com/post/acid-alkaline-food-guide

[@urbanbackyardfarmer9159]

Love love love that Dr. McDougall! So nice to listen to this, great interview. I was wondering how you guys feel about buying organic potatoes versus regular potatoes? I have heard that only buying organic, as the non-organic is loaded with pesticides. Do you know if this is true?

[@automaton111]

Body is Your Temple Supposedly some crops are more contaminated than others, so you could research which ones are most worth buying organic. If it's something where you don't eat the skin, it's probably less important. If it doesn't break your budget, I'd buy as much organic as possible. Not just to avoid pesticides, but to stop supporting companies like Monsanto that want to monopolize and dominate our food supply and farming sector with bad intentions.

[@urbanbackyardfarmer9159]

Thank you, I do always try to buy organic, just to support the organic movement. I've also found that growing potatoes in your backyard is actually pretty easy :-)

[@victoriapence7402]

Yes, I have read that potatoes are one of the foods you should buy organic, along a grapes, berries, and apples.

[@Healthytarian]

Thank you for watching and sharing your feedback. As for potatoes, indeed they are, like all mass produced crops, especially vulnerable to all sorts of problems, not just pesticide and synthetic fertilizer, but due to how they are shipped and stored for long periods of time, mold, etc. So it is best to buy potatoes that are as fresh and high quality as possible. This is where local and organic will be very worthwhile. And indeed, growing your own is also an awesome way to go, and really fun too :) For a good resource, in case you don't already know about it, check out the EWG's guide to pesticides in produce to learn about how potatoes score (in their full report): www.ewg.org/foodnews/ And here is a more detailed overview of the problems with potatoes when not organic: www.whatsonmyfood.org/food.jsp?food=PO

[@MsKennedylee]

Healthytarian of

[@ushakalra4575]

Excellent

[@Healthytarian]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@ushachadha3892]

How about cq10.I don't like to take any vitamin.I was just thinking to take cq10 .please make a video on that.

[@Healthytarian]

The best way to get CoQ10 is like with almost all other things, from the diet. The supplement industry will market each product heavily to make us think we need it, but in truth the thing we need the most is a diet that is high in nutrient density from whole, plant foods. Many plant foods are good sources of CoQ10 and when we eat a diet that includes a good variety of these foods we are bound to get all that we need, in addition to many other benefits, without any of the risks that come with supplements.

[@ushachadha3892]

Healthytarian thank you for the reply.please let me know which food has cq10 so l can add to my diet.because l have high cholesterol but I am not taking any medicine right now.I use to take atorvastain.I stop taking medicine because of side effects.But I want to reverse with healthy diet.

[@Healthytarian]

You don't need to source out specific foods. If you have high cholesterol, the solution is three-fold: 1. Reduce or remove animal foods from your diet, especially dairy, which is the worst for cholesterol. 2. Include as many whole plant foods, especially vegetables and beans as you can each day in your diet, as these naturally lower cholesterol and contain all the important nutrients you need. 3. Get some exercise, like at least a 15 minute walk daily, as well as any other movement you can. The ideal diet to reverse cholesterol effectively is a whole-food, plant-based diet. Please see the movie "Forks Over Knives" and/or my resources like optimal health food guide (www.evitaochel.com/post/optimal-health-food-guide) and How to Eat Real Plant food video course (www.udemy.com/whole-food-plant-based-diet/?couponCode=sitespecial25).

[@tootstoyou1]

👅 As a relatively new vegan, I was getting a very sore tongue. After googling “sore tongue “ I discovered that B-12 deficiency is a prime reason. After only two days of supplementing with 1000mcg, the tongue was absolutely fine !!

[@Healthytarian]

This is a very odd case scenario, in that your B12 must have already been low prior to going vegan for a long time because *B12 deficiency normally takes years to kick in*. Our human body is excellent at recycling vitamin B12 and normally has stores for several years even if no B12 is actively consumed. There may be underlying digestive issues at play as to why your body was not using or storing its B12 effectively if it really was a B12 deficiency. However, the benefits of taking a B12 supplement also don't normally kick in so fast, as you say within 2 days, but take weeks and months for the body to rebalance itself. For the most accurate diagnosis and solution to your problem, it would have been most beneficial for you to have a proper blood test done and overall health examination to better understand your health and any present symptoms, rather than jump to conclusions. There are numerous causes of sore tongue and deficiencies of certain vitamins or minerals are the less common causes unless the deficiency is already very far advanced, in which case there would be other obvious health symptoms too. www.healthline.com/health/dental-and-oral-health/sore-tongue What we always have to remember is that the human mind has a very strong placebo and nocebo ability and this alone has made people sick and well without any actual causative or restorative factors. I've seen this happen to too many new vegans specifically, where within a few weeks or months of going vegan they think that they are deficient in B12 or iron, due to fears spread about these online, and then instantly feel better upon taking either of the supplements, when both of these take months and years to get depleted and to get built back up again. So it is important to be well informed about your dietary choices and health to make the most accurate conclusions. Wishing you good health!

[@ElectedOfficial1]

What about pressure cooking vegetables for people with false teeth?

[@Healthytarian]

Gentle cooking to soften foods is fine, as needed, if that is the only form that allows a person to eat a lot of vegetables in their diet.

[@silherrera4175]

What about a pregnant woman? Is it ok to take multi vitamins, b12, folic acid and iron?

[@Healthytarian]

Given the right diet, even in pregnancy supplements may not be needed. It will all depend on the woman's personal health, pregnancy risks, etc. Please refer to the info on Dr. McDougall's site about this: www.drmcdougall.com/health/education/health-science/hot-topics/nutrition-topics/pregnancy-children/

[@OctaviaTL]

After 5 years of eating vegan and throwing out the window the "belief" that we need to supplement B12 and D if we don't get sunshine, believing that we get everything from our "natural" food, I ended up with severe B12 deficiency, took shots, got better, then took 500 micro-grams of Methylcobalamin (thought the best) daily and my B12 levels not only didn't stay the same, but have actually decreased with 120 micro-grams in those 3 months and I am having the same symptoms again. Some say the intrinsic factor thing doesn't apply to supplements, only to natural B12 and yet, I have not absorbed any of those supplements. Any suggestion on that, Dr. McDougall? The classical solution is shots for the rest of my life. Any solution to the cause of this problem?

[@Healthytarian]

Octavia, Dr. McDougall will not see your comment here, nor would he be able to reply without knowing your complete health history. In such a case, I would recommend connecting with a plant-based doctor or health practitioner in your area to properly address your condition. You can find such plant-based experts here: www.plantbaseddoctors.org/ In general, however, natural B12 will only be reliable if we truly eat naturally. This means food grown organically from the land and wild foods and natural water from the land (not bottles or taps). It is absolutely not sufficient to just eat the apparent right foods - plant foods - that are grown conventionally and available in our stores today or treated to our modern cleaning methods. This is not adequate and will not be a reliable source of B12. Natural B12 comes from bacteria in the the environment, and with today's sterile practices and unnatural farming methods, this is a problem for us. On top of that, most people's digestive systems today are greatly weakened due to various dietary habits and lifestyle choices that they had up to the point of eating healthy, not to mention modern stress, which makes the B12 absorption and usage even more problematic. We also have to consider what it means to eat "vegan", as that can mean eating a diet based on all kinds of processed foods, which will also pose problems for our overall health. So unless one lives a truly "natural" life in the wild, it is definitely a good idea to supplement with B12. And the most important part if we eat vegan is to base the diet on whole plant foods. But this general info aside, for you to properly understand the root of your issue and most effective solution, it would require a complete analysis of your current and past health, diet, and lifestyle. Only by looking at things holistically can we properly understand what is really going on and why.

[@OctaviaTL]

@@HealthytarianThenk you for the response. There's no plant-based doctor anywhere around, honey, be real, I wouldn't be asking on KZbin if there was LOL :p . I solved the mistery, though. Methylcobalamin is not enough studied and yet it's the only oral form in this stupid country. I managed to get cyanocobalamin from Germany and after a week of 2000 micrograms daily, I feel much better. My experience could hopefully help others who read this and encourage them to do their research. I don't believe in conspiracy theories anymore, but I do believe in stupidity and by God it's everywhere I turn. It's best to go to the doctor only after we research first, so that we know what we want (eg. tests, supplements ...)

[@farmergiles6142]

What are your B12 and 25-OH ( vit d ) levels ?

[@adlozi]

Here in the Netherlands the sun is very scarce. I used to work outside for years and still I had a serious deficiency in vit D - I could not walk up the stairs anymore, so much pain in the knees I had. It got better after large doses vitamin D.

[@Healthytarian]

Having a vitamin D deficiency is NOT only about how much sun we get or don't get, but about all of the other factors in our life that BLOCK the vitamin D absorption and usage. Diets high in animal products, and alcohol, for example, which create high levels of inflammation directly interfere with vitamin D. So one must examine ALL of their lifestyle habits when it comes to vitamin D levels, not just their sun exposure.

[@adlozi]

my lifestyle was always reasonably healthy, never smoked or drank, nor ate fatty foods. I've got once a folder from a rheumatologist which says where to get vitamin D, beside the sunlight: salmon, mackerel, paling, steak tartare, pork, margarine, milk, butter. I hardly ate these products, but I did get a liquid vitamin D supplement which did help me at the time. I still have to do some more research on this topic.

[@JohnSmith-tw3rw]

What about the oils in soya milk?

[@Healthytarian]

That is part of the problem with processed non-dairy beverages, like soy milk, as well as most processed foods. Almost all of them include oils and create more health risks for us. The best is to make your own homemade nut milk, which is really easy, and you get to control the type and quality of the ingredients.

[@cheezheadz3928]

There are soy milks that contain only soybeans and water. You'll generally find them on the shelf rather than cooler section at the grocery store.

[@sylviacharriemcdonald7644]

Dr what u are saying is the very true

[@Healthytarian]

Thanks for watching, Sylvia.

[@rubyrootless7324]

I do have a question about this - so, his thesis that starch is the main food we should eat is mostly based on agriculture civilizations, if I understans that right. Sure, before that humans ate carbohydrates too, but not like in boiled potatoes, wheat and rice, which are much more carb-heavy and what he advocates for. So how did these potato farmers get these omega 3 fatty acids? Without algae, nuts or whatever.

[@Healthytarian]

Hello Ruby. First, please note that Dr. McDougall is NOT saying that you should ONLY eat grains or potatoes. He is just saying that these should be the bulk of our human calories. This means that people are completely allowed and encouraged (for best dietary balance) to eat other whole plant foods too, and these will vary depending on where they live and which ones are most natural to their area and accessible to them. This includes any and all legumes, which are also starch-rich foods, as well as vegetables, fruits, nuts, and seeds. This is part of healthy balanced plant-based eating. Again, he is not saying NOT to eat those other whole plant foods, just that the bulk of calories should be coming from starchy foods, and not nuts or seeds, etc. This is his thesis that he has gathered not just based on agriculture, but based on his medical practice and study of various cultures and civilizations. Second, omega-3 fatty acids are abundant in other plant foods, besides just nuts and seeds, especially wild leafy greens, which would have been part of all natural human diets, as this is one of the easiest and most abundant foods that humans can harvest, almost anywhere in the world. Third, most of what we think we know about omega-3 fatty acids is nothing more than marketing and conditioning by the supplement industries and fish industries of modern times. People in the olden days did not have to worry about such things because they were eating natural foods from the land, not processed and refined foods from stores, factories, and restaurants. The more unnaturally one eats, the more inflammation they have and the more omega-3s they need, and vice-versa. Today, as a society that adheres to the "Standard American Diet", people eat completely backwards to what is optimal for the human body, and thus have to stress over things like omega-3s, and other nutrients. Either way, if you have any other Dr. McDougall-specific questions, then to get the best answers about his work, please visit his website and read through his research and medical articles and/or books. Here is his website link for your convenience: www.drmcdougall.com/

[@FrankJensen68]

What about people living in Iceland, Scandinavia, Greenland etc....?

[@Healthytarian]

Hi Frank, this has been addressed in the comments below. If you search for "northern" it should bring up the Q&As about this. In general, not having an inflammatory diet is the first place to start, and then aiming to have a healthy relationship with the sun when it has the vitamin D producing ray potential, as the body stores this vitamin as part of reserves. Besides that one should monitor their vitamin D levels if any health concerns are already present and possibly supplement throughout the winter with a small dose, if they feel that the benefits of supplementing outweigh any potential risks.

[@fifteenbyfive]

The shortcomings of a Vegan diet include: Omega 3s DHA and EPA, Vitamin B12, Homocysteine, Carnotine, and Creatine. Dr. Michael Gregor highlighted the largest studies ever conducted between mortality rates of meat eaters and vegetarians and the meat eaters are 3-0 and the vegetarians (and later vegans) are 0-3. Will they run another superbowl study between the meat eaters and Dr. Gregor's super vegans? Will the vegans finally have enough protective gear to win? I'd like to be a vegan on principle, unfortunately they don't beat meat eaters in mortality rates, and actually score much worse than meat eaters in some areas. Vegan doesn't even mean healthy anymore when there's so many garbage vegan products on the market to choose from. A whole foods plant based diet, consuming food produced as close to home as possible, including a sufficient supply of the things that only a meat diet can provide is the best option for health and wellness.

[@Healthytarian]

Thank you for sharing your perspective, and while it is true that the quality of the food and diet matters, the shortcomings you mentioned are not universally true for vegans by any means. These type of blanket statements always sadden me as a health and nutrition professional because they influence other people in misleading ways.

[@fifteenbyfive]

Well such that they're blanket statements, they're based on the largest head to head studies ever conducted. So maybe that's more blankety than something else you might refer to. I wish it wasn't true, but I'm not going to deny reality and research because of my wishes. Vegans are shown to have far worse Omega 6/Omega 3 ratios. Instead of 4:1 or 7:1 they're hitting 20:1 and beyond. There is no universe more universal than long term mortality studies on thousands of people.

[@Healthytarian]

Reality and research unfortunately (or fortunately) are both malleable and greatly influenced by many factors, and one of the biggest being our beliefs. You should, of course, do what you are comfortable with, and it is clear that you have made up your mind on this issue. From my perspective of mind and health matters, I can assure you that it is none of the things that you have mentioned that will give you better or worse health or a longer or shorter life, but the overall quality of your lifestyle and most importantly mental and emotional states of being. If you really want to be a vegan, you can be and you can thrive. BUT I don't recommend for anyone to go vegan who has any fears about any foods or nutrients, because those fears will always sabotage our health faster than any food or nutrient. Best wishes on your journey.

[@veganbanana4687]

Bottom line suppelemnt B12 and vit D if you don't see the sun...

[@Healthytarian]

+VeganBanana Yes about the B12, but with regards to vit D, just as Dr. McDougall shared about making an effort to eat the right diet, we must make the effort *to see the sun*. Just like with the food, this is the most optimal way of getting its benefits, which no pill can perfectly replicate. And in the case of vitamin D, there is enough info now to take a precautionary stance with it, rather than just take it as a replacement for the sun. Here is the link to his full article about this: www.drmcdougall.com/misc/2015nl/mar/vitamind.htm

[@veganbanana4687]

Healthytarian yeah what if the sun shine like once every two weeks... look, of course you should see the sun, but deficency of vit D can occur, i live in the north. I was deficent in vit D (real deficent... very very low, the lowest on the blood test). Trust me when I say, the sun rarely shine, it's always behind the clowds in winter/automn . I'm taking vit D (vegan one D2) if I don't/can't see the sun (cause it's not there). Source Veganhealth.org So the middle ground, is to take vit D in" "moderation" when I don't see the sun for long periods... :) and I should see the sun when it shine.

[@Healthytarian]

+VeganBanana Yes, it is definitely a challenge to live in areas that have minimal sunshine. Glad to hear you are taking the precautions you feel are best in that case :)