Healthy Living in Connecticut Blog

It was such a good learning experience when I interviewed Dr. Joel Fuhrman last month. For those of you who didn't have a chance read the interview.

A crucial part of the interview for me was about the importance of Vitamin B12

During the interview, one of the questions I asked Dr. Fuhrman about was vitamin B12, and was there any way to get this important nutrient from plants. His answer surprised me, as I never realized all the problems that can happen without the vitamin. Did you know it can cause mental disorders, nerve problems, tremors and memory loss? Plus, I didn't know that B12 cannot accumulate in your body to use at a later time. I thought that as a flexitarian (someone who's vegan most days a week with only a few days of animal products), I could get away with having animal products a few times a week and that would be sufficient supply of vitamin B12. Apparently, that's not the case.

I had the opportunity of interviewing Dr. Joel Fuhrman recently. In case you don't know, Dr. Fuhrman is an internationally known doctor who specializes in nutrition. He's been featured on Dr. Oz numerous times, he's written 10 books, most of which have been on the New York Times best sellers lists. He's also had a few PBS specials, including one set to air on June 4th.

Dr. Fuhrman is the founder of the Nutritarian "diet" (more like a "lifestyle change") that thousands of people have followed, including myself. As Nutritarians, many people have successfully reversed the effects of heart disease, diabetes and other illnesses. Of course, most of them have lost a significant amount of weight too. His latest book is called The End of Heart Disease and I think it's his best book yet.

I felt great when I was vegan during a challenge a few months back... so much so that I now do it each week. I usually have two days of where I'll eat turkey, chicken or eggs. So why not just go all the way vegan?

I guess, one reason is because I do like eggs. I know scientists go back and forth on whether eggs are good for you or not. Dr. Fuhrman, famed nutritarian, definitely does not think eggs are healthy. Some doctors insist that eggs raise cholesterol. If that's true, why is my LDL one of the best my doctor has seen in people my age group? I wonder if there are studies of cholesterol for those that eat eggs a couple times a week that eat vegan the other days.

I did like being vegan when I did a week long challenge a few weeks ago, and I now try to incorporate it 3-4 days a week. I feel great have a lot of energy and have been maintaining my weight.

But there's a common misconception out there, that vegans can't get fat. It's true to a certain degree, but it's also false. It all depends on what foods you are eating.

Last Sunday, I began a seven day challenge of eating only plant based foods... no animal products at all. This was the second time I did such a challenge in two years. Here's what I found out...

I loved the way I felt being vegan!

I had so much energy and my workouts seemed to improve. My strength increased, when I had my body fat check ed the other day and actually gained three pounds of muscle.