Faith, Food & Freedom

In 2020, I was 58 years old. Today, at 62, I reflect on how far I’ve come. Back then, I faced three life-threatening illnesses: diabetes, high blood pressure, and prostate cancer. My doctor had prescribed over six medications for life to manage these chronic conditions. At that point, I was trapped in a dire health condition.

The COVID-19 pandemic hit, and like many, I found myself seeking answers. I delved into research, focusing on the benefits of a plant-based diet. On May 13, 2020, I made a significant decision—my last piece of meat marked the beginning of my journey as a plant eater. I eliminated meat, dairy, oil, and sugar from my diet and committed to a lifestyle transformation.

By October, I had lost an incredible 50 kilograms. My health began to improve dramatically. For 20 years, I had been on prostate cancer medication, but in October, my blood pressure plummeted to 90/60. My doctor reduced one of my medications. By December, my blood pressure dropped further, and by March, it was at 80/30. At that point, my doctor removed the last medication. Astonishingly, when I went for my PSA test, it confirmed that my prostate cancer was gone.

I had reversed obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and prostate cancer—all through this lifestyle change. I no longer carry the burden of medications I once depended on. Inspired by this transformation, I developed a program to share with others. My goal is to teach people what is happening in the world and how they can protect themselves from falling prey to harmful systems.

Let me explain what I learned. Michael Moss, in his eye-opening book, highlights how corporations like Nestlé employ hundreds of PhDs solely to study consumer behavior. These researchers focus on understanding how to hook people into purchasing and consuming disease-causing products. They target communities worldwide—from Africa to Nepal and Cambodia—analyzing what persuades people to buy unhealthy foods.

These companies have entire departments dedicated to perfecting the appeal of their products. For example, one department studies “snackability,” ensuring that a product can be consumed mindlessly. Another focuses on “craveability,” designed to make you want more with every bite. There’s a department for “mouthfeel,” optimizing texture, and one for “moreishness,” making it difficult to stop eating. Lastly, they calculate the “bliss point,” the precise balance between resistance and appeal that creates maximum addiction.

These foods are then poured into communities. The companies know that after four to six years of consistent consumption, diseases like type 2 diabetes will emerge. Essentially, we are their project—they invest in us, not for our health but for profit.

Contrast this with the Blue Zones, places like Nicoya, Ikaria in Greece, Okinawa in Japan, and Loma Linda in California. Loma Linda is especially notable because it is home to a diverse community of Seventh-day Adventists. These people, bound by their faith, live significantly longer and healthier lives through plant-based diets and other healthful practices. Their lifestyle is a testament to the power of aligning diet and faith with natural health principles.

The stark reality is this: when corporations hook you and chronic diseases develop, they offer medications that don’t cure you. These industries operate like a mafia, profiting from your sickness. Chronic diseases are a multi-billion-dollar industry. From birth to age 40, they profit from junk food consumption. From 40 until death, they profit from pharmaceuticals. They don’t make money when you’re healthy, nor do they make money when you’re dead—they thrive on keeping you alive but perpetually unwell.

If they genuinely wanted to help, they would teach us how to reverse these diseases. Instead, they create a cycle where every doctor’s visit results in increased medication dosages. Their goal is to keep you dependent, ensuring a steady stream of profits. Understanding this, I realized I could no longer allow what should be God’s tithe to be siphoned off to fast-food chains like McDonald's or KFC.

When I recently reviewed the national budget, I was delighted to see a tax on junk food introduced. It’s a step in the right direction, but we must do more to educate ourselves and others about the systems working against our health. My journey proves that change is possible, and I am committed to helping others experience the freedom and vitality I’ve found. Let us take back control of our health and redirect our resources toward meaningful, God-honoring purposes.

By

Zwelibanzi Ndlovu

Founder Stop to Start International