TEDxAustin - Rip Esselstyn - 02/20/10

Rip Esselstyn is an Austin firefighter who transformed the health and wellness of the entire Austin Fire Department through his Engine2Diet program, which is now outlined in a book of the same name. A vocal proponent of a "Plant Strong" approach to eating, Rip illustrates how we all can benefit from taking a closer look at what's on our plates. www.theengine2diet.com

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[theVEGANdinosaur]

i showed this to my parents who are both diehard carnists, and now they're going vegetarian!

[Calvin Leman]

I escaped danger till 71, probably because I ate a lot of whole wheat bread and plenty of exercise. I am now a vegan and feel better than ever.

[kensei1984]

The China study is not solid science. You compare the data within the counties of China and discover that the ones that ate the least animal protein if at all had higher incidences of cancer than the ones that ate meat. Also, China still has high rates of stomach cancer, one of the highest in the world, and they eat more plant based stuff than we do. While I'm not pro-carnivore and agree that we should eat way more vegetables than we do and far less meat, you can see conflict of interest here.

[gyrate4]

Rip is always ripped! 

[Hilldweller]

I used to bodybuild, exercised every day, had low cholesterol, low bodyfat. Ate lots of lean meat, eggwhites, nonfat dairy.

Had a big M.I. in 2007 at age 44; cancer in 2010.

Docs told me that I should get used to the idea of permanent disability at the end of January 2012 -- 40% loss of cardiac function, muscle mass on decline. I was a wreck.

'Til I read the China Study, went plantstrong.

Now there's no evidence of heart disease or cancer. Off statins & most meds now. I have my life back.

[shirehorse91]

Yes, and so does vitamins. Your point?

[FormerOmnivore]

LOL. You do realize the top sources of vitamin A are animal foods, particularly organ meats?

[shirehorse91]

The China Study is junk science that has been debunked ages ago. Red meat doesn't case cancer. Vitamin A causes cancer and it doesn't care about the source.

[planetqueen360]

Your body needs protein, it doesn't care where you get it. The 20 year long China Study proved red meat and dairy cause cancer.

[smartcookie76]

Go Rip!!

[FlexitarianStrong]

Cholesterol is not an essential nutrient, your body makes it. Essential amino acids (protein) can be consumed from plant and animal sources, but it's a lot easier to ge these from low fat dairy and lean meat. Just doing that should lower your cholesterol enough to eliminate that risk factor for heart disease.

[Joey Lajoie]

You make a lot of good points but you go to extremism. Animal protein, dietary cholesterol and saturated fat are essential parts of the human diet. You need to look at where the majority of animal products come from. There is a major difference between a Mcdonalds burger and a steak from the butcher done on your barbecue. Many cultures eat meat and are pretty much disease free. I agree with putting the emphasis on plants and starches but do not eliminate meat entirely that is just extremism