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"Ouch, look at this report, I'm going to go from a carnivore to a herbivore!" 65-year-old Uncle Liu said to the doctor while stroking his belly, with a bit of helplessness and humor in his voice.
Uncle Liu is a retired railway worker, hardworking and simple all his life, and his life after retirement is simple and regular, except for tai chi every morning, which is to play chess with old friends. However, this physical examination gave him a surprise - high blood lipids.
Faced with this result, his family doctor, Dr Lee, advised him to minimise meat intake and eat more fruits and vegetables to help control blood lipid levels. Although Uncle Liu was a little reluctant to give up his braised pork and roast duck, he still decided to give it a try. After all, health is the capital of old age.
From that day on, Uncle Liu began his "herbivorous" life. For three meals a day, there are fewer and fewer meat dishes on the table, but the green vegetables are piled higher and higher. In the first few days, Uncle Liu always felt empty in his stomach, as if he couldn't eat enough. But gradually he adapted to this new eating habit, and not only did he feel more relaxed, but he also slept a lot.
One day two years later, Uncle Liu walked into the hospital again. The results were gratifying – not only did his blood lipid levels normalize, but his blood pressure and blood sugar also improved significantly. What's even more surprising is that his weight has dropped by nearly ten pounds!
"Uncle Liu, your changes in the past two years are really admirable." Dr. Lee was impressed.
It is worth mentioning here that while it is generally believed that eating more vegetables can help improve blood lipid levels, Uncle Liu's example shows more possible benefits.
Increasing your vegetable intake not only helps regulate blood lipids, but also improves gut health by providing enough dietary fiber, which boosts overall metabolism, which is important for preventing cardiovascular disease, certain types of cancer, and chronic diseases such as diabetes.
The abundance of antioxidants in vegetables also has a positive effect on anti-aging. Antioxidants can neutralize free radicals in the body and reduce cell damage, which is excellent for improving immunity and more.
Dr. Li went on to explain, "Uncle Liu, your change is not only that you have reduced your meat intake, but more importantly, you have increased a lot of vegetables, which provides your body with essential nutrients and fiber. This shift in eating habits not only improves your blood lipids, but may also improve your physical function unconsciously. ”
Since Uncle Liu changed his eating habits, his whole person seems to have taken on a new look. Daily walks and tai chi exercises have also become an integral part of him. With this new way of life, his mental and physical strength has improved.
"It's not just about eating vegetables." Uncle Liu said while chatting with his neighbors. He found that the lycopene in tomatoes is a potent antioxidant that reduces the likelihood of heart disease and certain cancers; In addition, spinach is rich in iron and vitamin K, which is very beneficial for blood and bone health.
This comprehensive nutritional intake not only improved Uncle Liu's blood lipid levels, but also comprehensively improved his immunity and physical functions.
Dr. Lee explained this in detail during his follow-up visit: "Uncle Liu, the benefits of your dietary changes to your health are not as simple as losing weight. A well-rounded nutritional intake helps maintain the body's physiological balance, which is key to avoiding chronic diseases and promoting bodily function. ”
Dr Lee also pointed out that Uncle Liu's lifestyle changes, especially dietary changes, have also had a positive impact on his mental health. Healthy eating habits can help stabilize mood, improve quality of life, and even help prevent mild depression and anxiety.
As time passed, Uncle Liu became more and more adept at preparing his own diet.
After a community event, Uncle Liu asked Dr. Li curiously, "Dr. Li, I heard that eating too many vegetables may cause an overdose of certain vitamins, is this true?" How should I balance? ”
Dr Lee replied, "While vegetables have great health benefits, excessive intake of certain vitamins such as vitamins A and K can be taxing on the body, especially if the kidneys are not functioning. ”
"You can avoid this by diversifying your diet. Make sure your diet includes both leafy greens and foods that are rich in other nutrients. This ensures that you are getting a balanced amount of nutrients and avoiding an excess of any single nutrient. ”
What do you think about eating vegetables for high blood lipids? Welcome to discuss in the comment area!