Reverse diseases without incurring hospital bills

It’s the question many individuals suffering from debilitating diseases are too afraid to ask: Is it possible to reverse their health conditions without the mounting hospital bills?

If you ask 60-year-old Chelito B. Gabuco, an erstwhile candidate for a heart pump transplant, it is. In 2010, Chelito was already on the waiting list for surgery, but enrolled instead in a diet and lifestyle modification program.

After about 45 days of religiously following a strictly plant-based nutrition protocol, his surprised doctors declared him out of danger, and in no need of surgery.

“The pumping of my heart became normal, the enlargement disappeared, and the triglyceride level, which was 400+, went down to 100+. The angina (chest pain or discomfort that occurs if any area of the heart muscle doesn’t have enough oxygen-rich blood) was gone. After three months I was back to playing badminton,” Gabuco narrated to Inquirer Science/Health two years ago.

The Inquirer caught up with Gabuco last Thursday. He said that since 2011 he had developed creative ways of making delicious and filling vegetarian food. According to him, he has been helping organize a fun run, to be held Nov. 17, aimed at raising funds for the deaf community of the Adventist Deaf Ministry program.

Along with Gabuco, a 28-year-old female teacher was also scheduled for surgery to remove four cysts in her breasts. But after three months on the plant-based protocol, the cysts disappeared.

A male patient who is suffering from gout and could barely walk, also tried the plant-based diet protocol and was able to walk again. After a few months, however, the man went back to his meat-based diet of pork, beef and chicken. His gout returned with a vengeance. He said he finally “saw the difference” and has since not given up his plant-based diet.

The common denominator for all these cases, aside from their adoption of a 100-percent plant-based diet, is nutritionist-dietician Blecenda Miranda-Varona, DrPH, MPH, RND.

Varona will be on hand for the Vegetarian Congress set on Nov. 11-13 at the Crimson Hotel, Filinvest City in Alabang, Muntinlupa. She will also be at the Weight Management and Health Improvement Program by the Pacific Health Education Center from Nov. 14 to 17 at the Adventist International Institute of Advanced Studies in Silang, Cavite.

Other nutritionists-dieticians will grace the Vegetarian Congress, which will feature cooking demos during lunch. The congress highlights plant-based diet for the prevention and control of diabetes, heart disease, stroke, cancer, strengthening of immune system, healthy aging, pregnancy and lactation, among others.

Main speakers for the Weight Management and Health Improvement Program include board-certified toxicologist Colin Ross, MD, PhD, MPH, director of Health Education; brain function specialist Arlene Taylor, author of best-selling books on brain functions; and chef Myla Mendez from the world-renowned Living Light Culinary Institute.

For inquiries, call or e-mail Evelyn Cezar ([email protected]), +63 46 4144056;+63 46 4144056, and+639173257220.