How Fasting and Diet can Prevent Heart Disease Especially for High Risk Patients like South Asians

Dr. Pradip Jamnadas, MD・2 minutes read

South Asians have a higher risk of heart disease and diabetes due to genetic predispositions, leading to flawed testing methods and underdiagnosis. Lifestyle changes, diet, and genetic evolution have contributed to increased health issues like coronary artery disease, stressing the importance of metabolic health and fasting for overall well-being.

Insights

  • South Asians have a genetic predisposition to metabolic issues, making them more susceptible to diseases like diabetes and heart disease.
  • The deceptive marketing tactics of the food industry, promoting unhealthy products through appealing advertisements and misleading labeling, are exposed.

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Recent questions

  • What are the health risks for South Asians?

    South Asians have a significantly higher prevalence of heart disease compared to other populations, with a 3-fold increase in heart disease in India. The risk of coronary artery disease in South Asians is 7.5 times higher than the average person in the United States. Many South Asians are unaware of their pre-diabetic or diabetic status due to flawed testing methods, leading to underdiagnosis. South Asians have a genetic predisposition to metabolic issues, making them more susceptible to diseases like diabetes and heart disease. Ethnic genetics play a significant role in how diseases manifest, with different ethnicities experiencing different complications at the same disease level.

  • What is the primary cause of artery damage in diabetes?

    Hyperinsulinemia, not high sugar levels, is the primary cause of artery damage and other health issues in diabetes. The current medical approach to diagnosing diabetes is flawed, with a focus on sugar levels rather than insulin resistance. Insulin's role in storing excess glucose impacts the liver, pancreas, gut, and muscles, contributing to insulin resistance and related diseases. Hormonal changes, particularly related to insulin, are emphasized as a significant factor in health issues, debunking the calorie in and out theory. Consumption of processed foods triggers hormonal imbalances, leading to various health problems, contrasting with whole foods' beneficial effects.

  • How does lifestyle impact health issues?

    The rapid changes in lifestyle and diet have outpaced human genetic evolution, leading to increased health issues like coronary artery disease. Urban populations, influenced by modern dietary trends, exhibit higher rates of obesity, pre-diabetes, and related health issues compared to rural areas. Rising standards of living have led to increased consumption of unhealthy foods, causing health issues. Inflammation, often from dietary choices, is a common health concern, especially in the gut. The Standard American Diet (SAD) exacerbates health issues, with excessive consumption of processed foods.

  • What are the recommended dietary changes for better health?

    To improve health, it is advised to shift towards healthier fat sources like ghee and butter instead of vegetable seed oils, which have inflammatory effects and contribute to coronary artery disease. Consuming fermented foods like kefir and sauerkraut is beneficial for gut health. Healthy nuts include walnuts, pecans, almonds, hazelnuts, pistachios, macadamia, and brazil nuts. Avoiding addictive foods, limiting alcohol consumption, and incorporating stress management, spirituality, and pleasurable activities are essential for overall well-being. Fasting for at least two to three days a month with 24-hour fasts can also be beneficial for maintaining health.

  • How can fasting benefit health conditions?

    Fasting has been shown to detoxify the body, reset gut bacteria, and lead to weight loss. Patients have experienced improvements in diabetes, hypertension, and joint pain after fasting. Cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy may experience fewer side effects and better responses by incorporating a three-day water fast before treatment. Fiber is essential for gut bacteria, which metabolize nutrients, and vitamin K2, omega-3, and vitamin D3 supplementation is recommended. Stress management, adequate sleep, and resistance exercises are crucial for overall health, along with maintaining a healthy lifestyle by avoiding processed foods and incorporating feasting and fasting.

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Summary

00:00

South Asians at higher risk for disease

  • South Asians have a significantly higher prevalence of heart disease compared to other populations, with a 3-fold increase in heart disease in India as well.
  • The risk of coronary artery disease in South Asians is 7.5 times higher than the average person in the United States.
  • Many South Asians are unaware of their pre-diabetic or diabetic status due to flawed testing methods, leading to underdiagnosis.
  • Pre-diabetes can progress to diabetes over 10-15 years, with high insulin levels being a key factor in the development of the disease.
  • Hyperinsulinemia, not high sugar levels, is the primary cause of artery damage and other health issues in diabetes.
  • The current medical approach to diagnosing diabetes is flawed, with a focus on sugar levels rather than insulin resistance.
  • South Asians have a genetic predisposition to metabolic issues, making them more susceptible to diseases like diabetes and heart disease.
  • South Asians have different thresholds for health markers like body mass index and blood pressure compared to other populations.
  • Ethnic genetics play a significant role in how diseases manifest, with different ethnicities experiencing different complications at the same disease level.
  • The rapid changes in lifestyle and diet have outpaced human genetic evolution, leading to increased health issues like coronary artery disease.

15:26

Modern Health Issues and Dietary Concerns

  • When a black man visits the office, the concern is his elevated blood pressure and the first test ordered is a kidney test due to high creatinine levels at 140 over 90.
  • A Chinese man presenting with an intense headache is suspected to have a stroke or hemorrhage, indicating the need for immediate attention.
  • Increased abdominal hip ratio exceeding 0.85 is highlighted as crucial due to the changing shape of individuals, no longer resembling the traditional physique.
  • Hormonal changes, particularly related to insulin, are emphasized as a significant factor in health issues, debunking the calorie in and out theory.
  • Consumption of processed foods triggers hormonal imbalances, leading to various health problems, contrasting with whole foods' beneficial effects.
  • Insulin's role in storing excess glucose is detailed, impacting the liver, pancreas, gut, and muscles, contributing to insulin resistance and related diseases.
  • The adverse effects of processed foods, especially those with refined ingredients, on the body's hormonal balance and overall health are underscored.
  • The deceptive marketing tactics of the food industry, promoting unhealthy products through appealing advertisements and misleading labeling, are exposed.
  • Urban populations, influenced by modern dietary trends, exhibit higher rates of obesity, pre-diabetes, and related health issues compared to rural areas.
  • The shift towards vegetable seed oils over natural fats like ghee and butter is criticized for its inflammatory effects and contribution to coronary artery disease, urging a return to healthier fat sources.

30:06

"Health Risks of Modern Diets and Oils"

  • Crisco was introduced with a long shelf life, promoted through a free cooking book until the mid-1960s.
  • India shifted from ghee to vegetable seed oils due to Western influence, leading to health issues.
  • Global consumption of vegetable oils, including peanut, cottonseed, sunflower, corn, canola, soybean, and palm oils, has surged.
  • Roasting nuts in vegetable seed oils can diminish their health benefits, opting for raw nuts is advised.
  • Indians started consuming excessive processed carbs, like wheat flour, chickpea flour, sugars, and sweets.
  • Rising standards of living have led to increased consumption of unhealthy foods, causing health issues.
  • Inflammation, often from dietary choices, is a common health concern, especially in the gut.
  • The Standard American Diet (SAD) exacerbates health issues, with excessive consumption of processed foods.
  • Trans fats, primarily from reheated vegetable oils, are detrimental to health, leading to heart issues.
  • Coronary calcium scores are recommended for accurate disease detection, superior to stress tests.

44:42

Fasting for Weight Loss and Gut Health

  • Patient weighed 395 pounds initially
  • After fasting for 108 days, patient weighed 195 pounds
  • Patient's electrolytes were normal post-fast
  • Another patient from West Palm Beach lost 70 pounds by only drinking water
  • Diabetes, hypertension, and joint pain disappeared for patients after fasting
  • Fasting detoxifies the body and resets gut bacteria
  • Fiber is essential for gut bacteria, which metabolize nutrients
  • Consuming fermented foods like kefir and sauerkraut is beneficial for gut health
  • Vitamin K2, omega-3, and vitamin D3 supplementation is recommended
  • Stress management, adequate sleep, and resistance exercises are crucial for overall health

59:53

Well-being through stress management and nutrition.

  • Stress management, spirituality, and pleasurable activities are essential for well-being.
  • Limit alcohol consumption to one drink per day for health benefits.
  • 10 minutes of direct sunshine daily is recommended for overall health.
  • Be cautious of enablers in your life who may have negative impacts.
  • Avoid addictive foods to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
  • Eating small, frequent meals is a myth; feasting and fasting is more beneficial.
  • Olive oil is suitable for salads but should not be heated to avoid trans fats.
  • Ghee has a high heating point, making it ideal for cooking.
  • Mustard oil should be consumed in moderation due to potential cancer risks.
  • Healthy nuts include walnuts, pecans, almonds, hazelnuts, pistachios, macadamia, and brazil nuts.

01:16:10

"Benefits of fasting for health and treatment"

  • To achieve weight loss, individuals should continue their efforts until reaching their desired weight, such as aiming for a BMI of 25 or feeling comfortable at 27, adjusting their fasting routine accordingly.
  • For those focused on maintaining overall health, fasting for at least two to three days a month with 24-hour fasts can be beneficial in achieving this goal.
  • Individuals seeking to reverse diabetes should monitor their insulin levels and hemoglobin A1c, fasting every two to three days until reaching their target levels, emphasizing a different goal than weight loss.
  • Cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy may experience fewer side effects and better responses by incorporating a three-day water fast before treatment, highlighting the diverse benefits of fasting on various health conditions.
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