"Food cures and I am living proof."
It is a sad truth that most people who need to make drastic improvements to their lifestyle only find that out when something terrible happens to their health.
Imagine a world where we all care to protect ourselves from preventable lifestyle-related diseases.
If anyone would wish we all paid more attention to our diet and lifestyle, it's Teddy - and this is his incredible journey from heart failure to a "stunned" cardiologist!
In his words: "I am living proof all can change with a plant-based diet. Five years ago, I had a massive heart attack that should have killed me. Now my cardiologist is stunned every time I go for a checkup."
Teddy wants more people to understand the benefits of a plant-based or vegan diet for internal well-being so that fewer people have to experience what he did all those years ago.
From a Standard-Western Diet to an Unprocessed Vegan Diet
When Teddy's arteries had blocked to around 70% on his previous diet, he knew he needed to change.
Being faced with death hit him with the reality that he needed to make a change that has undoubtedly saved his life.
Today, his diet is rich in whole plants, fruits and veggies; beyond this, he is taking greater care of his lifestyle.
Rich in soluble and insoluble fibre, among other complex carbohydrates, no cholesterol, and very low in saturated fat, a vegan diet is highly recommended by a growing number of heart consultants worldwide.
Why Teddy Started His Plant-Based Journey
In his words:
"The day started like any other.
I had my green tea and bagel and was doing my rounds at work.
I felt a pain like I had never felt down my arm.
I knew I was in trouble,
and every second was vital.
I approached my manager, who called me an ambulance.
I was rushed to the hospital and put on a table where three doctors and three nurses were working fast to save me.
I was scared and prayed I would survive.
I did not want to die or was not ready to.
All I thought was who would tell my family, especially my mum.
Three hours later, I had a stent put in.
I had a blockage of over 70% in one artery.
I had to stay in the ICU overnight and went on to stay in the hospital for over a week.
In the hospital, I had so many contraptions to check my heart.
I knew my lifestyle, work stress, and poor eating habits may have contributed to my heart attack.
No one else in my family has had one.
I was sent home with a prescription for ten pills to be taken daily for at least a year.
I was determined to get healthy and make many changes.
I quit my job, stopped smoking, and went vegan.
I had nothing to lose and did my research.
I went to regular appointments to check my heart health.
My cardiologist was shocked at how quickly I healed with just changes to my diet.
He quickly stopped all my medications except aspirin, which I take daily.
I was even asked to be used as a case study in the hospital because my heart had no signs of damage.
It was clear to me that this was a rare thing to happen, healing this fast.
Being plant-based, I sleep better, feel better, have more energy, and for the first time, my weight is under control.
I had normalised my blood pressure, and my hypertension reversed for the first time in my life.
I have smoothies throughout the day with spirulina, bananas, and blueberries.
I limit processed, unhealthy food and alcoholic beverages.
I have seen how quickly a plant-based diet heals and have not had any issues, colds, or setbacks for the last six years.
My cardiologist checks my heart regularly and has assured me it functions like that of someone with a healthy heart.
Food cures, and I am living proof.
I have no digestive issues, I feel years younger, and my energy levels have skyrocketed."
