Caldwell Esselstyn facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Caldwell Esselstyn
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Esselstyn in May 2019
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| Born | December 12, 1933 |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | Yale University (AB, 1956) Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine (MD, 1961) |
| Known for | Forks Over Knives |
| Spouse(s) | Ann Crile |
| Children | 4, including Rip Esselstyn |
| Awards | Gold Medal, 1956 Olympic Games – Men's eight |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Cardiology Plant-based diet |
| Institutions | Cleveland Clinic |
| Medal record | ||
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| Men's rowing | ||
Representing the  United States |
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| Olympic Games | ||
| Gold | 1956 Melbourne | Men's eight |
Caldwell Blakeman Esselstyn Jr. (born December 12, 1933) is an American doctor, writer, and a former Olympic rowing champion.
Dr. Esselstyn leads the Heart Disease Reversal Program at the Cleveland Clinic. He also wrote a book called Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease (2007). In his book, he suggests a diet that is low in fat and focuses on whole foods and plant-based meals. This diet avoids all animal products and oils. It also suggests eating less soybeans, nuts, and avocados. Some people have criticized this diet for its health claims.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Caldwell Esselstyn was born in New York City in 1933. His father, Dr. Caldwell Blakeman Esselstyn Sr., was also a well-known doctor.
Esselstyn went to Yale University and graduated in 1956. While at Yale, he was part of a secret society called Skull and Bones. He was also a talented athlete.
Olympic Gold Medalist
In 1956, Esselstyn competed in the 1956 Summer Olympics held in Melbourne, Australia. He was part of the American rowing team. His team won a gold medal in the "eights" event. This is a rowing race with eight rowers in one boat.
Esselstyn earned his medical degree (M.D.) from the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in 1961. During this time, he met and married Ann Crile. Her grandfather, George Washington Crile, was one of the people who started the Cleveland Clinic.
After medical school, Esselstyn worked as an intern and resident at the Cleveland Clinic from 1961 to 1966. He later served as an Army surgeon in Vietnam. When he returned, he rejoined the Cleveland Clinic. He was even the President of the Staff and a member of its Board of Governors. He left his full-time position at the Cleveland Clinic in 2000.
Work on Diet and Health
Dr. Esselstyn is a strong supporter of a whole foods, plant-based diet. He believes this way of eating can help prevent and even reverse coronary disease and cardiovascular disease. These are serious heart conditions.
His diet plan does not include any animal products or oils. Instead, it focuses on foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, and especially cruciferous vegetables (like broccoli and kale).
Media Attention
Dr. Esselstyn's work became more widely known when former U.S. President Bill Clinton mentioned it. In 2010, President Clinton said that Esselstyn's ideas, along with those from other doctors, helped him change his own diet.
Esselstyn was also featured in two popular documentary films. These films are Forks Over Knives (released in 2011) and The Game Changers (released in 2018). Both films explore the benefits of plant-based eating.
Criticisms of the Diet
Not everyone agrees with all of Dr. Esselstyn's claims. Nancy Brown, who is the CEO of the American Heart Association, has said that diet alone cannot completely prevent heart attacks. She pointed out that other important things include being physically active, managing cholesterol, blood pressure, and weight.
Some medical experts have also said that the evidence for Esselstyn's claims is not very strong. They believe more detailed studies are needed to fully prove his ideas.
Awards and Recognition
Dr. Esselstyn has received several awards for his work:
- In 2005, he received the Benjamin Spock Award for Compassion in Medicine. He was the very first person to get this award.
- In 2009, he received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the Cleveland Clinic Alumni Association.
- In 2010, he was given the Greater Cleveland Sports Hall of Fame Award.
Selected Books
Dr. Esselstyn has written books to share his ideas about diet and health:
- Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease: The Revolutionary, Scientifically Proven, Nutrition-Based Cure. Penguin, 2007 ISBN: 978-1-101-21583-8
- The Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease Cookbook: Over 125 Delicious, Life-Changing, Plant-Based Recipes. Penguin, 2014 ISBN: 9780698186507
See also
In Spanish: Caldwell Esselstyn para niños
- List of vegans
