KNYSNA NEWS - In July 2020 I was diagnosed with prostate cancer after my PSA test revealed a disturbing count of 70,23. At that time I was 75 years old, and suddenly I was confronted with some serious decisions, considering options such as surgery, hormonal therapy, chemotherapy, etc, or, less invasive alternatives.
After much deliberation and consultation, I decided in mid-September 2020 to attend a Christian 10-day 'Be Free' health retreat.
Here I underwent 10 days of intensive natural therapies from 06:00 to 18:00, eating only two meals per day and having nothing in between except lots of water, tinctures, and detox remedies.
All the meals were entirely whole plant based and it amazed me how tasty and filling they were. I was pleasantly surprised at the way the chef and kitchen staff could substitute animal products (e.g. beef patties) with plants and herbs, rich in healthy nutrition, including protein, and free of cholesterol.
My wife was encouraged to join me as a guest so that she could also attend lectures, observe food preparation in the kitchen, and collect recipes, which knowledge she is continuing to apply today.
I am so grateful that she too enjoys this new lifestyle.
Soon after we returned from the health retreat I hastened to Knysna Pathcare for another test. To my surprise and relief the result showed that my PSA had dropped to 7.18.
When I discussed my result with a urologist acquaintance in East London, he responded with scepticism and suggested a repeat test to ensure that no mistake had been made.
As my repeat test result was about the same, he was very surprised and confessed he was not trained in natural therapy, but as it was working for me, I should continue with it.
Well, six months later and still following the whole plant diet, I found my PSA was steadily declining, and presently stands at 5.38. I am now positively persuaded that the right food can help you to eat your way, enjoyably and pleasantly, to full recovery.
Back at creation, God said: "See, I have given you every herb that yields seed… and every tree whose fruit yields seed to you it shall be for food." (Genesis 1:29)
Sadly, the health crisis has its roots in our early youth: excessive sugar intake (fizzy drinks, dairy, confectionery etc.); excessive salt intake (fries, chips, MSG, snacks, cheese, etc); refined and processed food, take-aways; much meat, poultry, eggs, fish, preservatives, colourants etc. and towards the end of secondary schooling, alcohol, coffee, caffeinated tea, tobacco, drinks high in caffeine (energisers), are often added.
Cause and effect now kick in: by the time we reach the mid-life period, 40 years onwards, chronic illnesses often surface. A compromised immune system has little resistance against diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, depression, osteoporosis, Alzheimer's etc., including the Covid-19 pandemic.
The spread of the western lifestyle through free trade agreements and globalism etc. (eg. the proliferation of eating franchises) has seen a sharp increase in obesity in the far east and Africa, where this malady was previously insignificant.
In this self-induced health crisis the pharmaceutical companies and dispensaries have taken the opportunities presented, for lucrative reward; but their drugs and medications mostly address the symptoms and not the cause, and can be costly and unaffordable to many. One often hears of onerous side effects and consequences, even drug dependence.
And now the Bio-Tech industry has also entered the fray: they have genetically engineered and modified much of the food we eat, and some people now say that we humans will be next, if it has not already begun.
A whole plant diet offers the following benefits, amongst others: cholesterol free food, restored gut bacterial ecosystem for better digestion (biomes), strong immune system to combat foreign invasion, including the dreaded coronavirus, and an alkaline internal climate. (Cancer, for example, thrives in an acidic environment, caused largely by animal products.)
We were not designed to suffer illness, but we unwittingly destroy ourselves by frequenting our favourite eating haunts and drinking holes, and indulging in our pet addictions that we cherish, as I did.
Gradually, over centuries, we have lost the wisdom and knowledge our forbears once had. Occasionally, we "hear the voice of one crying in the wilderness", an alert investigative journalist, reminding us that we have become the most pill popping and medicated generation in history.
The Apostle Paul puts it more bluntly when he speaks of those "whose god is their belly" (Philippians 3:19)
The challenge remains: are you prepared to "let food be your medicine, and medicine your food"?
Herewith a short list of the many medical practitioners who advocate whole plant-based health reform:
- Dr Neil Nedley (USA)
- Dr T. Collin Campbell (USA)
- Dr Caldwell Esselstyn (USA)
- Dr Wes Youngberg (USA)
- Prof Walter Veith (RSA)
'Let thy food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food' – Hippocrates.
If you would like to discuss the topic in more detail you can contact me on hanstrudi.funke@gmail.com.
'We bring you the latest Knysna, Garden Route news'
