People are constantly referring to olive oil as a “healthy fat”. Many people think it’s “good for you”, and some even go as far as to claim people “need” to eat oils. Olive oil certainly tastes good, but is it really all it’s cracked up to be? And how do oils compare to nuts as a source for fats? We think it’s important to look at the whole picture.
Dr. Michael Greger of Nutritionfacts.org puts it pretty succinctly in this short video:
He still drives, helps with the yard work, doesn’t have a single ache or pain in his body, and he’s 100 years of age…so far! He’s retired heart surgeon Ellsworth Wareham and he credits his good health largely to his plant based, vegan diet which he adopted mid-life. CNN’s chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta sat down with the centenarian for an enlightening interview:
By simply staying away from animal products he has managed to keep his blood cholesterol level extremely low, thereby virtually eliminating any risk of a heart attack. Because of all the knowledge he gained in his decades as a heart surgeon, he says, “I’m dealing in an area that I understand”.
Hopefully his common sense approach will inspire others to follow his simple secrets to a long, healthy life.