Comments on: Is “Significant Benefit” Enough?

By: moonwatcher

moonwatcher — Tue, 03 Jun 2014 14:17:51 +0000

Welcome, Veronique! Thank you for this lovely comment and for sharing some of your own journey in it. To give others hope you haven’t been doing this as long as I have, and to hear how they are improving, even in a relatively short time, is music to my ears, and one of the most important reasons I write this blog. You are already finding your groove with this–and as time goes along, you will be able to hear what your body is telling you and refine accordingly. It’s WONDERFUL that you can take a bike ride again after 3 years of being unable to, just a month in. Some things take longer than others to improve, and may mimic the ups and downs you already experienced before trying this, but in a less extreme manner, and with much more capacity to bounce back. I am so happy for you!! I was thinking of writing another post about the long view, and your comment is encouragement to begin drafting that. So thank YOU! 🙂 Indeed, it is never too late. Big hugs back. “_

By: Veronique

Veronique — Tue, 03 Jun 2014 13:54:09 +0000

Thank you so much Maria for this well written and realistic yet uplifting post. Like you I am finding The Starch Solution 12 years into MS. The last two years have been tough ones and walking has been difficult and painful. Reading about your journey gives me hope. Today I cycled for 30 minutes for the first time in 3 years and that is a huge step forward. Yes, it would be a miracle (and fun) if I were totally cured and winning the olympics. But since I have never been much of an athlete, I’ll settle for being able to go shopping for fun and taking a walk on the beach or in the woods.
I started doing 80 10 10 because that was easy to implement while reading The Starch Solution and doing some research. The vegan and low fat aspects were the easiest for me to do, now how to incorporate the starches and create my own plant based, whole foods diet. One month in and I am cycling. So far not a bad result. I still limp like a duck with a wooden legg but then it’s only been one month!
Thank you for strengthening my resolve and confirming that I have made the right choice and that it is never too late!

Big Hugs,

Veronique, The Netherlands

By: moonwatcher

moonwatcher — Wed, 12 Mar 2014 16:19:11 +0000

Hi Deborah, I’m so glad what I wrote helped you over a hump in adjusting to a seemingly unfair health complication. Thank you for sharing this with me, and my readers. We all need help through such places at times. Grateful my word were of service to you.

By: Deborah

Deborah — Wed, 12 Mar 2014 06:56:59 +0000

Oh Maria, thank you.
I was just in a ‘ this isn’t fair state’ about a health complication…I was whining to my son,”But it’s not fair to get this now, not after I embraced a wfpb lifestyle. ..”
So here I am after digesting your words of wisdom and reflection, back in a place of acceptance and gratitude.
Love you xo

By: moonwatcher

moonwatcher — Mon, 10 Mar 2014 21:12:38 +0000

Welcome, Lois–I am honored by your comment. My mother was pianist–she had big hands that could reach a tenth, and I used to lie in bed at night listening to her play Rachmaninoff and Chopin and List. The piano was a huge part of my growing up I know a small bit of what you are talking about here. Thank you for sharing a little of your own experience here. I am so glad you can still play Bach, Scarlatti and other works written for lighter pianos–they are gorgeous in their own right. I am so happy I helped you to put things in perspective. I, too, believe your vegan diet has helped your conditions. So here’s to doing what gives us each joy in the best way we can. It’s a wonderful way to live!! I shall think of you, too, now when I hear the piano. 🙂

By: Lois Gowen

Lois Gowen — Mon, 10 Mar 2014 19:40:34 +0000

Thank-you so much for your article. I have fibromyalgia and arthritis. If I treat one, the other gets worse. As I am a pianist, decided to treat the arthritis (with curcumin). However, I am convinced that my vegan diet, of about 30 years, has kept both problems from being too severe. You put things in perspective for me. Do what gives you joy the best way you can. I can’t play the big Beethoven and Chopin works, but I can enjoy Bach, Scarlatti and the works written for the lighter pianos. You have a great attitude to life. Thanks for sharing it. Best to you, Lois Gowen

By: moonwatcher

moonwatcher — Mon, 10 Mar 2014 15:41:27 +0000

Welcome, Alyce, and thank you for your kind words about my writing–and from another writer!! I am glad the issue I raise is relevant to you and your partner. I appreciate what you shared here about it. I have read The China Study–it was a pivotal read for me in helping to stay with and refine what I was doing in the first couple of years of it. But alas, I know nothing much about Parkinson’s and don’t know anyone who has it. I’d speculate though, that at least indirectly, the health WFPB eating brings to the circulatory system could only be beneficial, at least from that vantage point. In my own experience nerve related improvements when they occur are slow and incremental. I hope you find someone who might be able to give you accurate information on the correlation between this way of eating and progression of Parkinson’s. All the best to both of you. Glad to know you’re on the WFPB way, even if it is inconvenient at times.

ps: Perhaps it’s worth a letter to Dr. Campbell himself. Nothing ventured, nothing gained, yes?

By: Alyce Barry

Alyce Barry — Mon, 10 Mar 2014 11:30:41 +0000

What a beautifully written post. I’ve eaten a WFPB diet for just 9 months and have wondered about the issue you raise – how much benefit is enough to be worth it, since this diet does seem to require more frequent grocery shopping and cooking and therefore also more dish washing, plus the often negative reactions of friends and family members. My partner has Parkinson’s, diagnosed 6 years ago before we were together and I’ve wondered what kind of impact the diet might have. So far we’re both very impressed at how much lighter we feel, I think of it as a spring in my step that wasn’t there before. I’m finding it harder to sit for long periods (as I used to, at the computer — I’m a writer — and watching films) which I attribute to both the added energy and the bulkier food I’m digesting. If you’ve read “The China Study” you may remember that Dr. Campbell suspects that Parkinson’s may be an auto-immune disorder like MS, I wonder if you know any more about that. Thanks again for this wonderful article.

By: Rachel

Rachel — Mon, 10 Mar 2014 08:24:34 +0000

Dear Maria, yet again your beautiful tale of discovery and acceptance helps me on my journey. Allowing me to relax judgement and accept my limitations while still choosing to push the boundaries a little. Thank you

By: moonwatcher

moonwatcher — Sun, 09 Mar 2014 23:45:11 +0000

Welcome, Carol, and thank you so much! It’s wonderful you’ve survived breast cancer and this way of eating has helped you keep well. That’s far more important than being an ideal weight. I am so happy my post helped you feel your efforts are all worth it.