Kung Pao Tofu
Confession: I love food and lots of it:)
Seven years ago, just before Ryder was born, I decided to quit racing triathlons, mountain bikes, and adventure races. I finished strong with 6 age group wins in a 60 day stretch. Then I quit cold turkey.
Not only did I quit racing, I pretty much quit exercising. Despite this, I continued to consume about 6000 calories per day (needed when I was training regularly). So the mathematics of weight began to take its toll on my health.
There were also some heavy stressors in my life at that time, primarily related to a dishonest employee who created a financial disaster that spiraled out of control over the next few years. The stress took its toll too. I eventually recovered, but not before it had contributed to a slowed metabolism and other not-so-desirable health effects.
A good friend, Dr. Mark Schnitzer, recommended that I read The China Study. He and his family found it so compelling that they decided to become Vegan. My wife and I read it (I admit I quickly skimmed it) about a year ago. We realized the importance of changing our diets, but did not make the commitment at that time. Most likely I was still in denial.
Having a long history of hyperlipidemia (really bad cholesterol), my risk for heart disease was significantly higher than the average person. Since medical school, I had been able to control it by using natural remedies and food supplements. However as part of the intense stress that began in 2002, I also went into a state of denial and quit taking these supplements.
Last October, we moved back to Colorado. It was part of our grand plan for lifestyle change. A few months back I hit a chronological milestone and finally decided to get a real physical exam and check-up. As it turns out, I am really healthy except for my cholesterol panel (cough… and weight).
According to my Berkley lipid panel, I have every genetic marker for risk that you can have. My bad cholesterol (LDL), triglycerides, and even my good cholesterol (HDL) were all abnormal as well. I immediately visited my local health food store and purchased an arsenal of food supplements and vitamins that will help me fight the battle.
Once I got a clean bill of health from the Cardiologists who did my nuclear stress test and calcium score (spiral CT scan calcium study), I rewarded myself with a new road bike and designed a fitness plan to get back into shape. The only thing missing was a rock solid dietary plan that would complement my exercise and life plan, while also supporting a healthier cholesterol profile.
The official start date of my vegetarian lifestyle was delayed because my parents were visiting and they love red meat (several times daily) and I wanted to leave my carnivorous ways in style. Once they left town, I implemented a not-so-strict vegetarian diet. The photo above was my first meal – Kung Pao Tofu from Pei Wei. It was such a beautiful dish, I had to take a photo.
I will update you in 90 days so that we can explore how my lifestyle changes and strategic supplementation will affect my cholesterol panel and general health.
Your Favorite Vegetarian,
Tim Berry MD
About Tim
Co-Founder of Poobah Marketing in Denver, CO. I am an uncultured polymath and an anal retentive procrastinator. My passion is the art and science of marketing. I am also an avid mountain biker, cyclist, runner, climber, tech geek, and dad.
I have thought about becoming vegetarian for some time now. I will have to check out your book suggestion. Let us know how the new vegetarian diet is going and how your road bike rides are coming along.
Definitely check out the book. It covers a lot of science, but in a way that you can follow and understand.
Tim:
I read this and just had to respond to it. One of things I want to know is if you have had a CIMT done. I work with doctors and patients through a company called HeartSmartIMT here in LA. I work with The Berkely Heart people and have a running relationship with them because we find that our clients are the same people in the medical community. Please go to http://www.HeartSamrtIMT.com and look at the site. What worries me about your profile is that it sounds like you are a canidate for the silent killer, soft plaque. What we look for is totally different from what is looked for on a calcium score and the only other thing that gives the information that this does is the 64 slice ct. This is non invasive and takes 10 minutes. What we measure are the two interior walls of the carotid for thickening. We look at inflammation levels, can tell you the actual state or level of cardiovascular disease, and then even more importantly can tell you if you have plaques and what the integrity of them is, calcified, heterogeneous, or soft. I will get you a free scan from us if I can. We work with a mobile imaging service there in Denver. Give me a call if you are interested, but please do this. We work with some of the top cardiologists who use our technology as a baseline in determiming efficacy in treating their patients with CVD and reversing disease but we shine in is exposing disease in the aymptomatic patient. Call me or e-mail me, Mark has my number.
Stevi