The objective of this article is to present to physicians an update on plant-based diets. Concerns about the rising cost of health care are being voiced nationwide, even as unhealthy lifestyles are contributing to the spread of obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. For these reasons, physicians looking for cost-effective interventions to improve health outcomes are becoming more involved in helping their patients adopt healthier lifestyles.

Healthy eating may be best achieved with a plant-based diet, which we define as a regimen that encourages whole, plant-based foods and discourages meats, dairy products, and eggs as well as all refined and processed foods.

Research shows that plant-based diets are cost-effective, low-risk interventions that may lower body mass index, blood pressure, HbA1C, and cholesterol levels. They may also reduce the number of medications needed to treat chronic diseases and lower ischemic heart disease mortality rates. Physicians should consider recommending a plant-based diet to all their patients, especially those with high blood pressure, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or obesity.

Of all the diets recommended over the last few decades to turn the tide of these chronic illnesses, the best but perhaps least common may be those that are plant based…Despite the strong body of evidence favoring plant-based diets, including studies showing a willingness of the general public to embrace them, many physicians are not stressing the importance of plant- based diets as a first-line treatment for chronic illnesses. This could be because of a lack of awareness of these diets or a lack of patient education resources. (See link below to view the complete Kaiser Pemanente Journal source document.)

The world’s FIRST ever such conference. See link below for details on this conference—Oct. 24-26, 2013 in Naples, FL

Hooray for Kaiser Permanente. This is exactly what has been needed to promote health and reduce disease, obesity and the outrageous cost of healthcare in the United States.

Now begins the process of helping the doctors learn about the awesome power of plant-based nutrition and how to best convey that knowledge to their patients.

Please share this blog with your doctor—while there is still time for her/him to sign up for this conference. We’ve come a long way since last year’s HBO obesity special, “The Weight of the Nation,” when plant-based nutrition was not even mentioned. See earlier blog link below. Now let’s see if we EVER hear this story from our mainstream news sources.

Why is all of this such a big deal? Kaiser Permanente is the largest HMO in the United States with 182,000 employees, including 17,000 physicians.

• My next blog on this topic. Real Bad News for Big PHARMA & Big FOOD
• Kaiser Permanente Spring 2013 Journal. Article on Plant-Based Diets.
• Teaching medical doctors all about whole foods, plant-based nutrition. pbnhc.com
• A blog from last week. Most M.D.s have no clue when it comes to promoting health.
• An earlier blog. HBO Special Bottom Line—Confusion over Clarity
• An earlier blog. Meet the “Big Three” Generals—in the War on Obesity

J. Morris Hicks, working daily to promote health, hope and harmony on planet Earth.

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—J. Morris Hicks, board member, T. Colin Campbell Foundation