DrCarney.com Blog

A whole-food, nutrient-rich, plant-based diet consists of natural, unprocessed foods that are grown and found in nature. This would include a variety of whole, intact grains, whole grain pasta and breads, starchy vegetables such as corn and potatoes, non-starchy and green leafy vegetables, fruits, beans and legumes, minimally processed organic soy, and a small amount...

Dr. John McDougall's excellent article, USDA Demonizes Starch, While Promoting Meat, Dairy, and Disease, explains how USDA dietary guideline policies have significantly impacted the health of our families. Dr. McDougall's article states: "The USDA has the responsibility for overseeing food safety. But, it also has an opposing responsibility to promote agricultural businesses. Nearly 150 years after its creation, tens of thousands of small farms have been bought up and concentrated into a few large politically influential corporations, and the USDA has become the "Agribusiness Industries' Department," primarily serving the interests of giant food production and distribution corporations."

Cancer is currently the second leading cause of death in America, following very closely behind heart disease. And like heart disease, many cancers can be prevented through dietary and lifestyle interventions. I am pleased to share with you some excellent resources offered by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM). The Food For Life Cancer Project Diet and Cancer page examines factors that contribute to the development and progression of various cancers and how a whole-foods, nutrient-dense, plant-based diet can reduce the risk of developing cancer. This is an excellent place to become acquanted with foods that prevent cancer and to browse the their latest resources. 

Shelia Lewis was diagnosed with cardiovascular disease at the age of 46. Tests revealed that she had congestive heart failure, along with hypertension, and an 85% blockage of one of her coronary arteries. Instead of choosing an invasive procedure such as bypass surgery, she made an appointment with Dr. Baxter Montgomery, a cardiologist in Houston, Texas.  Dr. Montgomery reverses heart disease using a whole-food, nutrient-dense, plant-based diet. After only 5 months on a plant-based diet, Sheila's repeat heart catheterization procedure showed that the blockage had completely disappeared.

Contrary to popular beliefs, human protein requirements are actually quite low. Dr. John McDougall explains by saying, "Our greatest time of growth, which is the time of our greatest need for protein - is during our first 2 years of life - when we double in size. At this vigorous developmental stage, our ideal food is human...

Daily aspirin therapy is often recommended by physicians to reduce inflammation and the risk of heart attack and stroke. Recently though, researchers found that people who don't take aspirin have low levels of aspirin in their bloodstream. How did it get there? Where is it coming from? and Why?

Researchers discovered that "aspirin is widely distributed throughout the plant kingdom". When aspirin blood levels were measured in those who eat a plant-based diet, surprisingly, some of their aspirin levels were found to be as high as other people who were taking aspirin as a drug. Therefore, researchers concluded that eating a plant-based diet offers the benefits of aspirin therapy, yet without the associated risks such as the risk of bleeding like hemorrahagic strokes.

Hectic schedules, working overtime, extracurricular activities - all the reasons why fast food restaurants are so appealing. We've become so accustomed to eating on the run, that preparing a sit-down, hot meal with our families almost seems peculiar. What we don't realize, however, is that these fast foods not only promote childhood obesity, diabetes, and the beginning stages of heart disease, they are now suspected of negatively affecting school performance and learning.

Upon deciding to make changes towards a more health-supporting diet many people wonder what food to put on their plate. If this is you then a good graphical representation can be worth a thousand words. There are many valuable visual representations on the Internet, all with slight variations. One of my favorite nutritional experts has created...

The first few trips to the grocery store will take a little longer as you make the transition to a whole-food, nutrient-dense, plant-based diet. But after you learn some label reading guidelines, and the basic principles of a plant-based diet, you'll be able to zip through the store easily.  This informative video of Chef AJ shopping...

Many people believe they can't live without meat. And, they eat lots of it. Or at least they think they do. However, many people including children on the Standard American Diet (SAD) are actually eating a lot less meat than they think. Certainly that is the case for SAD eaters feasting extensively on fast foods. So, you might ask, if they are not eating meat what are they eating? Are you sure you really want to know?

Whole, intact, grains can be an essential component of a whole-food, nutrient-dense, Starch-Smart® diet. A whole grain consists of all three parts of the kernel, which are the bran, germ, and endosperm. When any of these are removed in processing, then it is no longer considered a whole, intact, grain. Many people today believe that whole...

Are you ready to take steps towards a more health-supporting diet, but aren't sure how to begin? If so, Rip Esselstyn from the Engine 2 Diet, has combined the basic concepts of plant-based nutrition into a 28-day, Nationwide Engine 2 Challenge. This simple action plan has transormed the life of thousands of people. It can work for you and for the people you love.