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dr. Akil T / 76

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Before
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After

I was a couch potato who woke up one day to need a stent put in my heart at 56 years young. Depressed, dissatisfied with life, I only got worse and added anger to my list of ailments until at 61, it happened. I had open heart surgery and I survived. I know many people aren’t so fortunate. I remember telling the surgical nurse as I’m being wheeled in the operating room that, if I survived, I would run a marathon within a year.

I healed, trained and did it in 7 months. I went on to run the Boston Marathon, Chicago Marathon, climb Mt. Kailesh and Mt. Kilimanjaro, rode 100 mile bike rides, completed triathlons, skydiving, white water rafting, and so much more which I had never done before. It’s because I found out about, researched and got educated about the benefits of a whole food, plant-based lifestyle. With all the athletic things I have done, my heart has not failed me and I am so grateful for that.

Today, I’m a practicing physician, an author, speaker, septuagenarian athlete, and a plant-based vegan lifestyle advocate. I speak all around the world to groups and at conferences educating about the benefits of this healthy lifestyle for heart and overall health.

Follow me at Wedidit.health
Find me on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/@akiltahermd or @akiltahermd
Find me on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/authorakiltaher
Find me on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/akiltaher

Conditions Improved

Anxiety, Cardiovascular Disease, Cholesterol &/or Triglycerides, Depression, Digestive Health, Energy Levels, Prescriptions, Sexual Performance, Sleep
When did you switch to the vegan/plant-based diet? 2010
Have you eliminated or downsized the prescribed meds you are taking? To be used for the “New Farmacy Gallery” Yes
Which activities are you involved in? Running, hiking, swimming, cycling, and cooking (my newest interest)
Who has inspired or supported you in your plant-based journey? I have to first give credit and thanks to my beautiful wife, Nafisa for supporting me on this journey. She's the real cook. I've had Dr. T. Colin Campbell, Caldwell Esselstyn, MD, Dean Ornish, MD, Kim Williams, MD, and so many more who were the resources I got information and support from.
Which books or documentaries have inspired or supported you in your journey? The China Study, Eat to Live, Reversing Heart Disease, Cowspiracy, Forks Over Knives
What are some of the other lifestyle changes you made to help you thrive? The 6 Pillars of Lifestyle Medicine are what I live by and the most important one is food. I subscribe to a whole food, plant-based vegan lifestyle that is the Fountain of Youth.
Where do you think you would be now if you hadn’t switched to vegan or WFPB lifestyle? No light way to say this, I would be dead if I had not switched to a WFPB Vegan Lifestyle. I'm grateful to have gotten a second chance at life and I believe it's my life purpose to help educate the world about using food as medicine, changing behavior, and showing people that a happier, healthier life is ahead of them. I believe I've found the Fountain of Youth.
What inspired you to make a change? Surviving open heart surgery was inspiration to me to make this change and it has increased my life expectancy and strengthened the relationships that are important to me. I cannot think of anything better than having more time and a good quality of life with my wife, my children, and my amazing grandson.
If you were to offer a hopeful, positive, and supportive message to those considering a plant-based lifestyle, it would be… Treat yourself, your body, and your mental health with what you deserve by living a WFPB vegan lifestyle. The food we eat can either poison us, or it can support, heal and help us to live a longer, better quality of life.
Are you available to mentor others Yes
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Lives Impacted: 3,301

A Plant-Based Lifestyle has helped with:

Anxiety : 1,048 Arthritis : 749 Autoimmune disease : 499 Blood Pressure : 1,082 Cancer : 236 Cardiovascular Disease : 423 Cholesterol &/or Triglycerides : 1,296 Depression : 918 Digestive Health : 1,767 Energy Levels : 1,914 HGB A1C : 360 Pre-Diabetes : 405 Prescriptions : 519 Sexual Performance : 457 Skin Health Issues : 1,057 Sleep : 1,140 Type-2 diabetes : 203 Weight-loss : 1,826 Women's Health Issues : 587