When belief meets science

a vindication

I don’t think I’ve ever told you the deeper layer to my beliefs on why a plant-based lifestyle is so powerful. And when I say “plant-based,” I’m being general. I speak of a lifestyle that excludes many foods and is cautious of harmful environmental toxins, including those we bring into our homes as products such as cleaning and beauty supplies. I’m used to this stringent way of life now and have never wished it to be any other way. I love it in fact. Because when I adhere to this way of living, I feel healthy and am free of chronic pain and illness.

But how does it WORK? Why does this type of lifestyle work for me (and many others?) How has it cleared chronic symptoms that doctors only know to prescribe pills for? Pills which most often mask symptoms instead of addressing the underlying issue!

Many years ago, I learned that the instigator behind chronic illnesses of many kinds, and possibly all kinds, auto-immune and beyond, is viral. Specifically Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), but the bacteria Streptococcus also wreaks havoc, as well as other various strains of the herpes virus (of which EBV is one.).

The theory behind this belief is that virus’ “ingest” certain foods or toxins that maximize their strength and proliferation. Some of the main foods are: gluten, dairy, soy, eggs, natural and artificial flavorings and MSG but there are quite a few other foods as well. In other words, according to this belief system, certain substances that we ingest feed illness or weaken the body’s immune response to handle the invaders while other foods such as organic fruits, vegetables, various herbs and supplements actually kill virus and bacteria while also empowering our immunity.

After 10 years of experimenting with this diet, going off it and coming back on, I can attest that my chronic issues come back when I eat “normally” and slowly disappear again when I am immersed in a strict plant-based, low fat and gluten-free lifestyle.

What I have found along the way as a health coach is that, understandably, many people need scientific proof or to be told that their doctor agrees with what I’ve explained above. Since I am anti-conflict when it comes to discussing diet choices with others, I have quietly waited nearly 10 years for vindication of my beliefs to be established somewhere in my local medical community. Not for my own benefit, as I didn’t need any more proof than that which I experienced in my own life. Rather, I wanted “proof” for those who questioned it. Yesterday, that happened.

In a nutshell, a personal training client of mine who experiences 5 different auto-immune diseases and has mostly dealt with mainstream MD’s her whole life decided to try out a new doctor that was said to have a bit of a different way of doing things. This new doctor listened to my clients background and told her the first step would be to get a blood test for Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV). My client knew I would freak over this and excitedly brought me her lab work to see with my own eyes. I had never heard of a “real MD” in our area ordering an EBV test for a patient with chronic auto-immune disease. The test came back scoring an insanely high level of EBV in my clients body and the doctor proceeded to put her on a diet very much like the one I’ve explained to you in the paragraphs above. The doctor also recommended various over the counter supplements that mirror the ones I have successfully taken for many years to combat chronic illness.

I’m sure there are other stories out there of people who have had experiences in their medical community that are similar to my client. It seems the word is getting out there, slowly but surely, and it gives me much joy.

The author that I have found most powerfully explain this viral theory is Anthony William and his many books are available on Amazon. This one is my favorite, but look them all over for specifics. He is not a doctor and is controversial in some circles, yet he has helped countless people get well. His protocol is the foolproof lifestyle I have used for the lions share of the last 10 years. I started long before he was famous when he had just one book published. When I am off the protocol, I suffer. When I am on the protocol, I thrive. That is my experience and truth and I am very thankful for it everyday.

Beyond all that I’ve shared here today, if you have questions or would like to learn more from my perspective, I do consultations via phone or zoom. Most clients I have guided in this way have only needed a few hours with me at most in order to set their own personal healing journey going.

XO