“Rice Diet”
The cure for Essential Hypertension was discovered in the 1940 at Duke University. The clients were extremely ill with very high blood pressures, many had advanced kidney failure (glomerulonephritis), and eye disorders (papilledema, retinal hemorrhages–ruptured vessesls in their eyes), and enlarged hearts. These poor patients were considered, “The Walking Dead”, there were no medications to treat them with and there were no medical interventions available….none. The doctor was from Germany and had a heavy accent; he had a female patient with a BP of 190/120, retinal hemorrhages, and an enlarged heart—she was considered to be one of ‘The Walking Dead’. She began his program but because of his heavy accent she returned in two months instead of the two weeks he had recommended. But now she was in ‘robust health’! Her pressure was 124/84, there was resolution of her eye damage, and a noticeable decrease in heart size! With this response he began to expand his treatment to more and more of ‘The Walking Dead’; and they got better! A lot better!
So who was this physician and what was his treatment. The doctor was Dr. Walter Kempner and his recommendation treatment was ‘The Rice Diet”. This was during the early 1940’s, there was no available medication(s) and there were no valid treatment recommendations!!! Dr. Kempner insisted that his Rice Diet be followed without exception and their conditions greatly improved; so what is this “Rice Diet”? The Rice Diet was White Rice, Fruit, Fruit Juices, and Sugar. That was it!!! Rice, fruit, fruit juice and sugar; but if you notice it’s all plant based foods….no animal products, no salt, and no added preservatives….and they got better; they were no longer considered “The Walking Dead”. Here are some photos of two of his patients:
Many consider Dr. Kempner to be the father of modern day diet therapy. All who have followed in his footsteps, including Nathan Pritikin, Micheal Greger, Dean Ornish, Neal Barnard, Caldwell Esselstyn, John McDogual, myself and many others owe homage to this man and his work.
Two solid ‘Take Home Points”:
1. It’s a totally plant based diet, and
2. No salt. A plant based diet and no salt….really? Yes, Really!! Stay healthy my friends. Vegan Doc
