Looking at Bill Clinton in 2018 versus throughout his tenure as the 42^nd president of the United States (1993-2001), you will see he is a changed man. For starters, he’s a lot thinner. It’s no secret that Clinton battled to keep his weight in check throughout his terms as president and at 1 x annual checkup in 1999, the White House physician noted the president had put on 9kgs since his last checkup, two years prior. Clinton didn’t know it at the time, but weight was not his biggest health challenge. He had a family history of heart disease, and plaque was building up in his coronary arteries. In 2004, less than 4 years after leaving the oval office, the 58 year old was anything but healthy. He felt what he described as a tightness in his chest and days later, with limited treatment options available, he underwent quadruple bypass surgery to restore blood flow to his heart.

What happened next?

Dr Dean Ornish met with former President Clinton a few days after his stent surgery and shared with him that because of his genetics – moderate changes in diet and lifestyle were not enough to keep his disease from progressing. Dr Ornish is a long-time advocate and pioneer of a low-fat, vegetarian diet to lower, if not reverse heart disease. His research has showed that more intensive dietary changes can prevent and, in some cases; actually reverse the progression of heart disease. So Bill got strict; very strict – even radical by some standards and he adopted a vegan lifestyle; one that he still adopts today.

No more meat, no more eggs, no more dairy and very little oils.

The principles of Dr Dean Ornish and GR8 health are very similar and the first step to better health may be as simple as changing what we eat and drink! Eating a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, and nuts can prevent diseases and cause others to disappear. Obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure, some types of diabetes, and many cancers can be prevented through basic lifestyle changes. A vegan or vegetarian diet can supply all the necessary dietary ingredients to achieve and maintain great health. In addition to eating plant based, there is exercise, stressing less and loving more in both Dean Ornishes ‘spectrum’ program and the core values at GR8 health. The approach to health and prevention of disease is about feeling good, experiencing a joy of living and not a fear of dying. When you eat this way and live your life this way, not only will you will lose weight, you will gain health and happiness.

Where is he now?

Former President Clinton continues to follow the majority of principles of a vegan lifestyle and in his own words, ‘I’m healthier than ever and believe it or not, I have more energy!’