 Evidently not completely satisfied with the scientific rigor of the dietary trial presented in Daniel 1, 8-16, researchers in Tennessee published two papers recently detailing a series of parallel experiments on a 21-day, all-you-can-eat diet, devoid of animal products and preservatives, and inclusive of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds. In other words, food intake in accordance with a stringent vegan diet. The purpose of the studies were to determine the effect of a 21-day Daniel Fast on both biomarkers of antioxidant status and oxidative stress, as well as the efficacy of the Daniel Fast to improve markers of the lion's den of metabolic and cardiovascular disease risk. No surprise that a diet composed of whole plant foods improves several risk factors for metabolic and cardiovascular disease as well as an improvement in selected biomarkers of antioxidant status and oxidative stress, including metabolites of nitric oxide, which I've talked about before. Participants experience meaningful improvements in blood pressure, cholesterol, insulin levels, insulin resistance, C-reactive protein. We're all lowered to a clinically meaningful extent. And this was in a young, healthy population. Imagine the miracles it could do for people who are really hurting. This study extends the findings of other plant-based diets by documenting the impact of a strict vegan diet on multiple measures of oxidative stress and antioxidant capacity. Of course, if instead of a biblical Daniel Fast, they had called it a strict vegan diet, they probably would not have gotten a compliance rate of 98.7%, especially in Tennessee.