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Kenny HonnasYoung American Man Overcomes Ulcerative Colitis With Vegan Diet
Country:
 USA |
Content:
- A Young American's Triumph Over Ulcerative Colitis
- The Power of Research and a Plant-Based Diet
- The Impact of a Life-Altering Condition
- A Descent into Darkness and a Medical Intervention
- A Near-Death Experience and a Turning Point
- "I realized something was seriously wrong."
- Embracing a Vegan Lifestyle and Regaining Health
- A Fruit-Rich Diet and a Life Beyond UC
- A Sustainable and Fulfilling Transition
The Life-Saving Power of a Vegan Diet: Kenny Honnas' Journey to Recovery
A Young American's Triumph Over Ulcerative Colitis
Kenny Honnas, a now 20-year-old, faced a life-threatening diagnosis of ulcerative colitis. The chronic large intestine condition manifested in persistent diarrhea and rectal bleeding. Desperate to gain weight as a promising high school football player, Honnas resorted to a diet of buffalo wings and curly fries. He also consumed six raw eggs and several chocolate protein shakes for breakfast daily.
However, in 2014, Honnas' blood loss became so severe that he fainted and was rushed to the hospital. He received four blood transfusions during his two-week hospital stay. The weight he had gained through unhealthy eating habits had vanished, sending him plummeting by 30 pounds. His football career seemed over.
The Power of Research and a Plant-Based Diet
As doctors worked to stabilize Honnas' condition, he embarked on his own investigation and discovered the potential benefits of a vegan diet for ulcerative colitis. Determined to regain his health, Honnas eliminated all meat and dairy from his menu. The vegan lifestyle not only improved his condition but also made him stronger and healthier than ever before. His fruit-rich diet now included consuming up to 18 bananas in a single sitting.
After a year of following a vegan diet, Honnas' blood tests showed no traces of his previous ulcerative colitis. "My eating habits were abysmal before converting to a plant-based diet," he said. "As a young, healthy athlete, I ate whatever I could get my hands on to gain weight."
The Impact of a Life-Altering Condition
Honnas' promising football career was abruptly cut short by his debilitating symptoms. "I had a bout of diarrhea the first day of training camp," he recalled. "I brushed it off as stress."
"But it got progressively worse. Within a week, I had blood in my stool. I just kept training and ignoring it. I was too ashamed to talk to anyone."
A Descent into Darkness and a Medical Intervention
"By the fifth week, things had gotten really bad," Honnas said. "I had three accidents in five days where I literally couldn't make it to the bathroom."
"I became paranoid and would basically sit in my room all day, only leaving to go to practice."
"Eventually, when every bowel movement was bloody, I told my parents. It was time to see a doctor."
A colonoscopy revealed Honnas' ulcerative colitis diagnosis. Doctors prescribed a corticosteroid medication called prednisone to manage flare-ups. However, just two nights later, Honnas lost a liter of blood and was rushed to the intensive care unit, where he was found to have dangerously low hemoglobin levels.
A Near-Death Experience and a Turning Point
"There was so much blood that I couldn't even tell if it was mixing with the water in the toilet," Honnas said. "My head was spinning, like I was going to pass out. I was moving slow and sluggish."
"It was hard to stand up without falling, and when I did, I got these throbbing electric shocks in my lower back and left side, like there was something inside me trying to claw its way out."
"I realized something was seriously wrong."
Facing the prospect of having his colon removed to stop the bleeding, Honnas embarked on his own research. Doctors, he discovered, gave little consideration to the role of diet in managing ulcerative colitis.
Embracing a Vegan Lifestyle and Regaining Health
Within weeks of adopting a vegan diet, Honnas began to experience significant improvement. "Every doctor told me that diet plays no role in any stage of the disease," he said. "But I was desperate and willing to try anything. Within a couple of weeks, I started to see results."
"Within a month, I looked like a completely different person. I was strong, healthy, and fit again."
"I put on over 10 pounds of muscle and was even able to return to Wheaton College for my sophomore year."
A Fruit-Rich Diet and a Life Beyond UC
Honnas' daily breakfast consists of a fruit smoothie containing 12 to 18 bananas. Lunch often includes a fruit feast with up to five mangoes, 20 dates, or one to two papayas. Dinner features either potatoes or rice.
"When people hear how much fruit I eat, they tell me to cut back," said Honnas. "But my blood work shows that everything is within the normal range."
"My dinner portions consist of three large baked potatoes stuffed with guacamole and jalapeños, with three cups of steamed broccoli on the side."
"On weekends, I indulge in a large bowl of vegan Chipotle soup, extra beans or rice, or a plate of pad Thai or Thai fried rice."
A Sustainable and Fulfilling Transition
"I never thought I'd be able to give up meat and dairy," said Honnas. "I didn't think I could live without a good steak. But here I am."
"I'm happier and healthier than I've ever been. There are no words to describe what it's like to get back something you once lost."
"The vegan lifestyle saved my life and has reversed the course of my ulcerative colitis."
