DrCarney.com Blog

Autopsies performed on over 300 Korean War casualties revealed that over 77% of the hearts examined had gross evidence of arteriosclerosis. The average age of the men examined was 22 years. Some vessels were clogged 90% or more. Subsequent autopsies performed on over 1,500 battle casualties confirmed these same findings.

This short video excerpt is from Dr. John McDougall's presentation "The Starch Solution." Dr. McDougall describes the results of an archaeological excavation in Turkey, where they discovered a grave site containing the bodies of 60 Gladiators. Examination of the mineral content of the bones, they concluded that the Gladiators ate a vegetarian diet, which included...

Depression is one of the most common reasons patients go to visit their doctors, especially during the Winter months. As a result, antidepressants are one of the most widely prescribed medications today. Using a whole-food, nutrient-dense, plant-based diet has been very successful in treating patients with mild to moderate depression. Dr. Michael Greger explains in the 6-minute video below how antidepressants work and how plant foods can produce similar results without harmful side effects.

For more information on how a plant-based diet can prevent and reverse depression, see Dr. Carney's Depression and Anxiety Pinterest Board.

Every meal we consume affects our health either in a positive or negative way.  If our diets consist mainly of heavily processed foods and animal products, rich in saturated fats, oils, salt and sugar, we are creating an environment that encourages chronic degenerative disease.

The healthiest foods of course are those that are grown in a garden and consumed "in their natural form." However, there are some packaged foods that can be included in a healthy, Starch-Smart® diet. These foods are minimally processed, keeping their fiber and nutrient content intact. Jeff Novick gives us some guidelines to follow when we make a trip to the grocery store, in his article: "The 10 Healthiest Packaged Foods."

Although most people believe that hypertension is a natural consequence of aging, hypertension is actually the consequence from years of consuming a diet rich in saturated animal products, oils, refined sugars, processed foods, and salt. These foods play a major role in promoting diseased arteries.

High blood pressure is not a disease, but a symptom of these diseased arteries. As cholesterol containing plaques begin to line the walls of the arteries, the arteries begin to narrow, stiffen, and lose their elasticity which causes a rise in pressure. Medications artificially treat the symptoms which gives the patient a false sense of security while their disease progresses. By switching to a Starch-Smart® diet, you will be giving your body a chance to heal the arteries, and reverse the disease.

According to the Physician's Committee for Responsible Medicine, "Many Americans still consume substantial amounts of dairy products—and government policies still promote them—despite scientific evidence that questions their health benefits and indicates their potential health risks." A few of the risks associated with dairy consumption include an increased incidence of cancer, heart disease, acne, osteoporosis, gastrointestinal...

A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that high blood sugar levels were associated with an increased incident of dementia. Over 2,000 men and women over the age of 65 were studied for 6-8 years. Those participants that had a blood glucose of 115, compared to 100, had a 15% increased risk of developing dementia. Prior studies done revealed that those with diabetes had an increased incidence, yet this study shows that non-diabetics with elevated glucose levels are at a higher risk as well. Read the article by PCRM here.

Medical experts predict that today's children will be the first generation that will not outlive their parents. This is partly due to the sharp rise in obesity among American children. Steven Kenneth Galson, former US Surgeon General, states that the obesity epidemic is a result of "an increasingly sedentary lifestyle and poor nutrition."

This is an excellent 27 minute presentation given by John Mackey of Whole Foods Market.  He explains the benefits associated from eating a whole-food, nutrient-dense, plant-based diet.

Even though soy milk does not have feminizing effects on men, many men are afraid to consume soy products due to its "phytoestrogen" content.  Phytoestrogens are compounds which are similar to the female hormone estrogen. Men should be aware that cow's milk, actually does contain high levels of estrogen hormones.

Who has coronary artery disease? Almost everybody unfortunately! What is the leading cause of heart attacks? The greatest percentage of heart attacks occur when newly formed plaques on the inside of our arteries, rupture; causing a clot to form, blocking the flow of blood. These vulnerable and unstable plaques cannot be seen using diagnostic tools. Caldwell Esselstyn Jr. MD discusses how to end coronary heart disease.