Long Term Raw Food Effects

[cnurse70]

Hello everyone!
At work today I was discussing the raw food lifestyle and how amazing it can be. I'm excited because I am new to raw food, and my research has led me to amazing testimonies and finding the ultimate lifestyle to lead. Many of these stories were for people who have been on raw foods for less than 8 years. The nurses at work were telling me how unfounded it was. I had one nurse that told me all long-term raw-foodists need to eventually take protein supplements and other supplements because the raw foods long term do not provide what the body needs. She also stated that she and her husband had gone raw food for two years and their blood counts were so bad, they had to go back to adding cooked foods, red meat, etc. to their diet. So, my question would be to all you knowledgeable ones, are there any long-term raw foodists out there (maybe any of you, I know about Norman Walker) that do not take any supplements and truly live on raw food?
Thank you so much for any insight you might have! These posts are so encouraging. I'm on day 3, and so far am feeling satisifed raw! Thanks! ;)

[Rawkinlocs]

Perfect example right here!
http://thegardendiet.com/storm2.html This man and his beautiful family take no supplements!

There are others, even our own Alissa who has been at this more than 18 years.

I'd even go as far as saying that anything past 5 years is longterm as far as I'm concerned. I don't seem to understand how cooking food is going to improve the blood count...maybe because I'm not the scientific type.

But just keep in mind that protein does not create protein in the body...amino acids do. Perhaps there are not enough greens in these people's diets as that is one of the greatest sources of amino acids...green leafies!

[cnurse70]

Thanks so much! I will definitely spend some time on that website!
One other question. She also stated that after going raw, when they added cooked food back to the diet, they became ill at first. And, they started out slowly with steamed veggies. That part, I understand. But,she said after you are 100% raw long-term you can never eat cooked food, it will kill you, literally. Any thoughts?
Again, thanks for your insight! I, myself, just need more information so I am more knowledgeable in my discussions with others. I'm going to keep reading and learning. I believe in raw!

[monkeyboy]

Hi everyone,


As far as blood goes ,I'm a good study subject.

My doctor and his nursing staff were amazed at my results.

Here in the preppie colony my doctor wears a bowtie and is a bit conservative.

I convinced him at least in the short term (2 years) that raw was o.k.

He still thinks I need to eat some red meat.

We all make choices...and I live with them everyday.


Peace,

M.B.

[theresaann]

so far the only downside I"ve heard about long term raw comes when people don't do it correctly by eating too many fats and sweets. What I've heard is the necessity of getting enough greens in the diet. Victoria Boutenko has done great anecdotal research on this and outlines it in her new book, "Green for Life", which Alissa may carry, but you can get it at their website rawfamily.com, or from amazon.com also. She did a simple research study with people on SAD diets regarding the effects of adding green smoothies and it had interesting results.

[cnurse70]

Thanks so much for your help! It is only my fourth day 100% raw and I have a long way to go, one day at a time! These boards keep my motivation high! :p

[swingbolder]

Paul Nison has written two books in which he interviews several long-time raw foodists, the books are called Raw Knowledge I and Raw Knowledge II. Reading them really showed me that raw works and can keep you healthy in the long run. I also like how he showed that different raw diets work for different people, some of the folks he interviewed were natural hygienists, some ate grains, some did not, some ate supplements, some did not, etc.

[julesmoz]

I'm so glad you asked this question, cnurse70! I've been wondering the same thing. I just can't figure out why on earth raw would be bad for you unless you were neglecting some important aspect, like the greens that everyone (including myself!) so highly touts. Did your colleagues have any more actual evidence as to what happens? Have you (or anyone else) heard lots of stories in these veins?

[Shivananda]

You may disagree (and many apparently do) but I personally don't think there is anything inherently magical per se about eating all your food raw. *Eating everything you eat in a raw state doesn't guarantee that what you eat is everything you should be eating.* This is an incredibly important point. One can eat in an unhealthy way, from a nutritional standpoint, on any type of diet, even a raw vegan one, especially if one eats in an unbalanced way.

Eat tons of dates and dried orchard fruits and nuts, for instance, with no leafy greens or fresh veggies of any kind, and over time you are likely to hurt yourself badly. And I've known people who have done exactly that. They made the incredibly common mistake of eating only what they liked, and avoiding what they didn't, with no regards whatsoever for the actual nutritional content of what they were eating. But they THOUGHT what they were doing was healthy, because they only ate organic food. This is misguided foolishness.

This nurse's anecdotal "evidence" proves nothing, just that she and her husband didn't find the balance their bodies needed by doing... well... whatever it is that they actually did. But how hard did they look for that balance? Did they check themselves out along the way, and make adjustments based on their individual results? Did they take classes and consult with experts about making sure their nutritional needs were being met at the intake stage? Not to make them wrong, but it really doesn't sound like it. And sometimes the shortage of a single nutrient can throw one's health off completely. Or the presence of one toxin, like mercury.

As one simple example, having a magnesium deficiency can throw off dozens of different important body functions, some of which can then cause the inability to utilize OTHER nutrients properly, and it can show up in bizarre ways. For instance, several studies have shown that many people who grind their teeth in their sleep have magnesium deficiencies. So instead of seeing their dentist to get a bite guard (as many do) they would actually be better served to see a nutritionist, and increase their intake of magnesium.

So anyway, don't be concerned that not everyone agrees with you, or thinks you are crazy, or has "evidence" to prove you are wrong, just do the best you can to live the way you believe in, and let the non-believers talk to each other. :)

[Indi]

I totally agree with Shivananda

Anyway, people talk with such authority about things that they dont always understand
If we listened to some we would never do anything!

People also look for evidence to back up personal choices.
If it hasnt worked for them (for what ever reason) they will ofton condem it.

For me, RAW has been totally experiential.
No amount of theory could have prepared me for this experience
It is important to do your reasearch. Read, question and post as often as you can, but there is no substitute for actually doing it.

This is your journey.

One way to make it easier is to avoid the negative people.
I am very careful about who i discuss what i eat with.
If people dont know, then they can't comment, which leaves me free to make my own choices and them theirs!

Its early days for you as it is for me.
I suggest you dont let their negativity and fear spoil your beautiful experience.

You are doing the right thing by looking for support from those who are actually doing it

Im not looking too far ahead, I will get there soon enough.
I take it day by day, and enjoy the journey.

[rawpriestess]

Victoria Boutenko and her family 11 years raw
Elizabeth Baker, 40+ years raw
Paul Nison 20 years raw

and these are just well known people, we also have some friends who have been raw over 10 years, in great health, although they change their foods constantly, they eat regionally and seasonally, and they eat only as much as satiates them, not overeat.

they also don't wash their veggies and fruits, I also don't wash mine, we grow our own, so we get plenty of B12, LOL

Kiss our dog too, gotta' get that B12 somewhere. LOL

[greeninlosangeles]

Talking about blood tests, medical science decides from the average(which are people with degrading health usually)what is good and what is bad. Some doctors will say you are sick, when your cholesterol is below 100, but the truth is that is the best for health, since cholesterol is sign of possible heart disease or even cancer(China Study book explains more.)
And I also agree that just being raw is not enough. Someone who eats a lot of wild plants definetely will be healthier since they have much more nutrients. Second choice your own organically grown stuff. Then other organics. Then water quality. Greens.Salt elimination. No more than 10 percent calories from fat. Enemas or colonics in the first years of raw. Fermented foods. And I am sure many many other things.
But at the beginning I am happy just to be raw and slowly to get aware about the things I will eliminate soon, such as salt or hybryd fruit like bananas.

[misslinda]

:: co signs with Shivananda ::

Shivananda for PRESIDENT! you sound like my former sales manager......pass the doughnuts! :p

if it's not blood count, it's always gonna be something else.

balance is key.

:)