He REVERSED HEART DISEASE at 80 On A Plant-Based Diet! | Chef AJ LIVE! with Al Schmidt
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- Опубліковано 8 вер 2024
- My name is Al Schmidt, I am 85 and I have been on an incredible journey since July 2016, and this is my story. I have had coronary artery disease for most of my adult life. In 1985, when I was 48, I had my first angina pains while riding a bicycle. I had always been active. After a series of tests I had a quintuple bypass. That was a traumatic event in my life.
I took the pledge, gave up red meat, and embarked on a low fat diet. I watched my weight, around 170 I continued to be active, walking, hiking, and biking. My father had died at 59 and that was about 10 years away. He was overweight and ate meat with every meal. So I went on what I thought was a healthy low fat diet. My goal was to limit my fat intake to around 20%-25% of my daily calories and no red meat. Remember this was the 80’s and 20%-25% fat was considered low.
I had an angiogram and was told I needed a stent. This time the recovery was minimal. I had two incisions in my groin one from the angiogram and one from the stint. I remember thinking how easy a stint was compared to bypass surgery. I had to wonder if my original cardiac surgery had been this easy would I have changed my lifestyle?
As time went on I had some problems with PVC’s (premature ventricular contractions) and such. I became intolerant to several long-term medications that I had been taking. I was unable to take ANY statin to keep my cholesterol down. I had another stint implanted, various irregular pulse problems, and Acid Reflux.
In 2014 I started having shortness of breath and chest pains while walking and going up and down stairs. I started taking Imdur and Ranexa which opened my blood vessels. While my symptoms went away, I knew what my future held.
By 80 years of age I had become a full-fledged card carrying Cardiac Cripple. A Cardiac Cripple is one that cannot complete the normal daily actives without debilitating chest pains. This included sex. As an aside I have to mention, regarding sex in your 80s, “four” play takes on a new importance. It becomes more like “eight” play. But I digress.
I could not climb stairs, I could not walk from my house to my neighbor’s house without severe and frightening chest pains. I could not take the trash out. I had been used to walking a mile and a half, climbing stairs, and living an active life. My existence now was limited to sitting in front of my computer and or watching TV (and I hate TV). I was becoming depressed. I was lower than snake shit in a wheel rut.
I was not only a cardiac cripple, but I was terrified to leave my house. I passed up a family wedding in Los Angeles, mostly due to fear. Essentially I could not travel at all.
I signed up for Kaiser’s cardiac rehab program. I could hardly walk to the meeting room. At the first meeting they started talking about exercise and diet. This depressed me, I mean after all exercise and diet had gotten me to 80, and now I could not exercise at all. I suffered through the exercise portion.
Then a dietitian presented the “Plant Based Diet. The presenter stressed that they were “suggesting” not recommending this diet. She also mentioned that while she thought the diet was beneficial, she personally was not on the diet. I thought this was strange. On one of the handouts there was a picture of an angiogram showing a dramatic reversal of coronary disease over a 32 month period.
Having seen a lot of my own angiograms, this illustration spoke to me. Blockage can be reversed through diet!
My back was against the wall. I did not think I would see my next birthday. I felt my life was over, so what did I have to loose? This may have been a drowning man trying to clutch at a straw, but it was the only hope I had. I did check with my Cardiologist, Dr Kruana and she told me that a whole food plant based SOS free diet would help more than medicine could. (Looking back, that was a fairly safe statement, after all she had already told me she could not do anything else medically for me.)
It took a while to read and figure out what to eat, but the results were spectacular! . Well after 4 weeks on a whole food plant based diet we went to Tahoe for lunch. I started walking my 1.6 mile route again, and I have not used my stair lifts since!
SO HOW ABOUT SOME RESULTS
First NO angina. I can walk long distances, I can climb stairs, and I am mobile again.
My Cholesterol went from 196 to 149 in 3 months.
I lost 30 pounds. I am 5’ 11” and went from 180 to 150 in two months.
My kidney function went from 40% down to normal.
I feel great. I have much more energy. I go out and do all the little fix-it chores that I had been neglecting before. I don’t have my usual 3 o’clock lack of energy. I don’t doze off when I am reading or in front of my computer.
I don’t get those ugly looking bruise marks on my arms and hands
I had Dark Blue skin on my ankles which went away after 11 months.
Swollen left foot the result of 1985 bypass.
My website: www.stayingali...
He does not look 85! Vibrant, beautiful, energy and smile❤️
AJ, you could do hundreds of these. It never gets old. I'm a lot younger than Al Schmitt, but both I and my dad have similar stories. My dad is 89 and still doing great.
Hello Carl ,still I remember you 😊. You mean that you have same story like Al Schmitt .. with stents and bypass? Or ?!🤔 thank you
I am male 55 old, 2,5 years ago I got a stent on my artery coronary left. I followed medication just a week. Around 5 months later since stent was placed I discovered dr Caldwell Esselstyn and I started his diet strictly until today.
So far I am feeling fine, with a stent and without any drugs after 23 months just with plants based diet.
@@gabriel65304 It's now 5 1/2 years for me, and 11 years for my dad, who is still doing great and about to turn 91.
Al is great, what a good hearted person! He is my model and inspiration. Thanks so much for inviting him to the show
What a remarkable and inspiring story! I love Mr. Schmidt's sense of humor and his spirit. And he's so healthy-looking and doesn't really look 85 to me.
Not on;y is he inspirational, the way he told his story was honest and humorous at times, I couldn’t stop listening. AJ, cannot thank you enough for introducing us to people like Al. What a story!
You are so welcome!
What an inspiration he is. It’s too late for my Dad but just know you are helping save lives. And look! He still has a great head of hair! 😍 That’s my husband’s excuse for not going plant-based! You’re wonderful, too, Chef AJ! I love the way you let your guests speak without interrupting them. Thanks for all you do…both of you!! 💕
You're so welcome!
Your husband doesn't want to go plant based because he's afraid he will lose his hair? Thinning & hair loss is genes, hereditary, has nothing to do with diet! Lol
Actually, it was my doctor at Kaiser Permanente who was the one to suggest Forks over Knives. The facility in Bakersfield, CA has a farmer's market once a month and WFPB nurses and doctors there to answer questions. I'm still trying to change my eating and try to watch Chef AJ for encouragement.
Me too. it started with watching vegans like chef aj in changing my eating style
Wow, what a great doctor. I’ll give you a quick testimonial. My mom suffered a major stroke in October ‘21. Paralyzed completely on her right side. She developed 3 small pressures sores on her foot, at the the rehab facility. When she came home on December ‘21 I started following dr. Caldwell Esselstyn’s book, arresting and reversing heart disease. According to wound care, the sores would never heal, due to low blood flow. They did heal, completely and now she can stand. She was discharged from wound care 2 months ago. The doctors called the healing of the sores a miracle, I knew it was the diet.
Lol. I was a drug rep in 1987 in Bakersfield repping Cardiovascular products. My boss said it was a great drug town. Glad 2 hear they are improving their health.
So much respect for Al! So straightforward, genuine and his zest for life is amazing! I’m going to forward it to my Dad! He is 72 and already eating this way because he is seeing his 93 year old mom suffer from Alzheimer’s everyday.
What an inspiring story! Thank you, Al, for sharing it! I had a heart attack at age 42 in May and have found the WFPB lifestyle. I’ve struggled with food addiction my whole life and it is hard to break but connecting with stories like yours reminds me of why the WFPB lifestyle works and why I WANT to live! Thank you Chef AJ for continuing to promote this life enhancing lifestyle. I appreciate what you do! ❤️
Al, you are just a light 💡 in this sometimes dark place. I love you story, and your enthusiasm for self-care. God bless you . I hope you live to about 125.
He is amazing with technology for 85❤️❤️Simply amazing!
Cannot get enough of Al! have you had anyone with conjestive heart failure on the WFPB diet? Woud love to hear from them. We all learn so much from these leaders!!
For me, Al's story is most amazing. To be able to turn his life around at age 80, at death's door, and to looking young and vibrant at 85. It's almost unbelievable.
Al, hearty congratulations, your story is most inspiring and will live on forever. Thank you.
I remember also around 5 years ago, maybe it was Al (not sure), of a man in his 80s who couldn't even get up to check his mail. He went on a plant-based diet and had the same experience as Al's. To me, this just proves that it truly is never too late.
Absolutely!
Great story, so inspiring. I love this turn around, proof that the body can heal no matter the age
❤ catching up on older episodes! AJ you are amazing!
Very inspiring!!! Great guest!! Wish Al all the Best as he helps people.......
What a lively intelligent man who got hold of the information and ran with it…his results are great. Very inspirational. My sister is diabetic and also says she would rather die early than give up her favourite foods…sad.
Many feel that way unfortunately!
I was eating something like 35% fat diet before I went WFPB 2 months ago -- and I have to say that giving up oil and fat has been the EASIEST part of this diet for me -- although I do eat small amounts of nuts and seeds and avocado. It works for me.
Don't do nuts, nut butters, seeds, avocados, olives until u are cleared from heart disease! As per Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn!
Loved watching and listening to this episode with Al! Thank you Al for telling your story and letting us know that its never too late! Blessings to you both!
This is so amazing. Wow.
The power of plants 🌱.
Another great episode Chef AJ
Glad you enjoy it!
Tons of appreciation to you and Al. Pls continue with the good works.
This is great. What a sharp guy!
Wow. I am so glad he recovered his health.
Go AL SCHMIDT !!! Inspiration PLUS!!❤
How inspirational ~ thanks Chef AJ and Al. I never get tired of these testimonials.
Al, you are only wrong about one thing. You are a marvelous speaker & you do not fumble around at all. YOU ARE GREAT!!! 👏👏
Thank you kindly!
Will be sharing this w0ith my dad who suffers from heart problems.I hope this motivates and inspires him like he does me. He looks like the older version of Dr. Lisle:)
I loved this! I learned so much, and it is so encouraging! Thanks to both of you!
My husband has said the same thing "I'd rather die than give up the foods that bring me joy". Wow, to think other spouses have said that also. It really takes you back. You just can't hardly react to something like that. I hadn't thought about the "food addiction" theory. When I look at it from that perspective, it does make sense.
Just tell your husband to stop loving & food that doesn't love him back!
He looks great. 86 really!
What an inspiration.
Absolutely Excellent! Thank you!
You're very welcome!
Love this!!!!❤ I'm sharing it.
Thanks for sharing!!
What a lovely soul
What an amazing transformation. "... now my wife thinks I'm a smart ass" ... hilarious!😹 I really get the part about not being able to care more about other people's health than they do. This is the most infuriating, and ultimately heartbreaking (figuratively and literally) reality that I grapple with. Some of my most beloved relatives and friends I just want to shake, or lock them up and force feed them broccoli. I have stopped trying to force books and documentaries on them. This is the worst part of having this knowledge.
so true!
If they don't want it, there's nothing we can do! Ultimately, we are in world of death!
What an amazing young man. Oilfree sugar & saltfree does work..the body does have healing properties with suitable food
You go Al..God gave you a great brain and you are smart enough to use it all
Loved the statement he made: "You can't care more about someone's health than they do". You can let them know what you think is true, but then I think it's best to not to harp on it because it doesn't do any good. I think it will just annoy them and drive them away.
Loved this video xx
No one is too old……
Great books by Esselstyn and other plant based proponents. Congratulations to you, Mr. Schmidt, for following the diet! Such a great story of making the right changes! Thank you for sharing your wonderful success story! 🎉
thought avocado and flax seeds were heart healthy?
I really enjoy hearing stories of inspiration. An amazing man. He should live to triple digits easily 🌻 He is funny also. Thank you for all the work you put into these videos.
You're most welcome!
I often find myself wondering how many lives Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease has saved. I have bought it for people in my family (no one wants to hear it 😢)
Reversed means .. to unclog your arteries clogged
This was so inspiring! I love to hear stories like this and especially in the older years. Our bodies are truly amazing. Also, just found the fall Forks Over Knives magazine and can’t wait to read it!
My dad 89 years old just had heart attack and stent placed . But he still has significant blockage in other arteries. Do you think this diet can reverse his blockage
I am suprised Kaiser doesn't pick Al up. Kaiser has a whole food plant based plan.
Check out THIS GENTLEMAN. He knows how to take a measurement. This could only mean ONE THING:
HE’S A GANGSTER 👊🏼
My MAN 🙇🏻♂️
Are you arteries still blocked? What tests have you done to confirm that your arteries are not clogged or your heart disease is reversed . Low ldl is good but the main thing is blockage reversal . Angina improvement is great but are your arteries not blocked or less blocked now
Al, Do you take vitamins everyday?
Just B12
Cardiac rehab! LMAO!
Do you havea bucket list?
Is he off all his medication?
For my father, the first sign of heart disease was his FATAL heart attack at 54 years old. I had plans with him and my heart was broken. Please, don't wait.
So sorry to hear!
I had my parents until their 60's, heart disease took them!
@@jgrysiak6566 my mom passed away one night at 50 years old. It was thirty five years ago though. We didn’t know about plant based science back then.
Just don't get your oat groats at a feed store: they still have the husks on them! The kind they sell for people to eat are all hulled. (Many people don't realize this and think they are unhulled).
Thanks for that. If you knew me, I do anything to save a few bucks.
@@mikefixac Me too -- that's why the warning, haha.
Lol! We're not animals, we don't buy our food @ feed stores! Lol!
@@jgrysiak6566 Well, I learned about this from someone who DID...! It's not about being animals; it's about stretching the food dollar.
🧡
Yeah, oil IS great for heart disease. Causes it, actually. Want heart disease? EAT OIL! Oil’s GREAT for that lol 👍