Plant-Based Nutrition

While medical professional associations, government bodies, and stakeholder groups across the U.S. and Canada have their own emphasis and focus when it comes to lifestyle and dietary guidance, a common theme does emerge: Eating more unrefined, plant-based foods is an important strategy in prevention of chronic disease, management of chronic conditions, and promotion of overall health.

In this series of reports, ACLM has compiled the evidence supporting the benefits of a whole food, predominantly plant-based diet in multiple clinical settings. To learn more about how to implement nutrition interventions, check out the continuing education and event opportunities at lifestylemedicine.org/education.

Download a PDF of the Benefits of Plant-Based Nutrition

1: Collaborators, GD. Health effects of dietary risks in 195 countries, 1990-2017: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017. Lancet. 2019;393(10184):1958-72.

Plant-Based Dietary Quality

The highest quality dietary pattern that offers optimal nutrition, addresses nutrients of concern, and avoids excess calories and fat is one based on unrefined vegetables, fruits, whole grains and legumes.

Plant-Based Diets & Weight Management

Plant-based diets help individuals circumnavigate the obeseginic environment because of the lower calorie density of plant foods, which naturally prevents overeating.

Plant-Based Diets & Type II Diabetes

Many studies suggest that plant-based diets may be a practical solution to both prevent type 2 diabetes, with potential for medication reduction and remission.

Plant-Based Diets & Cardiovascular Disease

A plant-predominant diet can reduce risk for CVD and yield cardio-protective results to control, manage and even improve cardiac symptoms.

Plant-Based Diets & Chronic Kidney Disease

For those with Chronic Kidney Disease, goals can center on slowing progression of kidney failure, minimizing uremic toxicity, diminishing proteinuria, and lowering the risk of complications.

Plant-Based Diets & Enteral Nutrition

Plant-based enteral formulas are a well-tolerated option that can meet caloric requirements for patients with eating difficulties and offer high-quality nutrition for healing, gut health, and to control inflammation.

Plant-Based Diets & Reproductive Cancers

Plant-based diets appear to reduce cancer risk by reducing animal protein and fat, particularly from red meat, as well as adding protective fiber and antioxidants to reduce recurrence rates.

Plant-Based Diets & Autoimmune Disease

Eating more unrefined plant-based foods is an important strategy in the prevention of chronic disease, management of chronic conditions, and promotion of overall health.

Plant-Based Diets & Longevity

As demonstrated in the most long-lived populations, increased consumption of unrefined plant foods, and decreased intake of both animal and highly processed foods contribute towards increased quality of life and reduced mortality.

Nutrition Recommendations & Guidelines

Major medical professional associations support consumption of a minimally-processed plant-predominant diet for protection against chronic diseases including diabetes, heart, kidney and gastrointestinal, as well as obesity and certain cancers.