Plant-based diets in the prevention and treatment of chronic disease

According to the World Health Organization, noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are responsible for 74% of deaths globally. Yet, an estimated 90% of type 2 diabetes, 80% of heart disease, and 30-70% of cancers are considered entirely preventable. The lowest rates of NCDs are in populations who have healthy lifestyles and eat plant-based diets. In this presentation, Brenda Davis, RD reviews the evidence supporting the use of plant-based diets in the prevention and treatment of NCDs. She shares her experiences using plant-based diets in a clinical type 2 diabetes trial in the Marshall Islands and a lifestyle medicine demonstration project in Lithuania. Brenda will discuss the reasons why plant-based diets afford protection and provide practical guidelines for designing plant-based diets that are effective in both the prevention and treatment of NCDs.