Can Food Be Medicine?
Food is essential for our survival and health. Without food we could not
sustain life. It is something we consume daily by way of our digestive
system and then the nutrients make their way into every cell of our
body. This is much like a pill or liquid we might take for a medical
condition so we can certainly make the argument that Food Is
Medicine.
This idea that food is medicine is gaining momentum. The American
Heart Association has initiated a Food Is Medicine (FIM) initiative
supported by the Rockefeller Foundation. They have developed a
Presidential Advisory on Food Is Medicine and have published a
roadmap for research and advocacy.
According the American Heart Association when it comes to heart
health, studies show heart-healthy dietary behaviors are critical for
promoting cardiovascular health. 16,17 They state that a heart-healthy
dietary pattern has been linked to reduced risk of obesity,
hypertension, dyslipidemia, and the metabolic syndrome. 16,18 Eating a
heart-healthy diet is recommended to prevent and treat type 2
diabetes, to maintain cognitive and kidney function, and to support a
healthy gut microbiome as well. 16,1
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) developed a Food
Is Medicine initiative in response to a congressionally funded initiative
in fiscal year 2023. They directed federal agencies to develop a strategy
to reduce chronic disease that may be related to nutrition, food
insecurity and racial disparity in the United States. This will include
research and special programs.
So what does this have to do with you? Eating a whole food plant based
diet may be a way to not only improve your health but could be a path
to reducing or in some cases eliminating having to take a pill or
administer an insulin injection. Making better dietary choices, changing
ingrained patterns of eating and cooking more meals at home will more
than not improve your blood sugar and blood pressure numbers.
Learn more about a whole food plant based diet and lifestyle by visiting
Optimal Wellness and Nutrition Services.
Overview
The White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health —
held in September 2022 — renewed national attention and issued a
call to action to end hunger and reduce the prevalence of chronic
disease in the United States by 2030.
Food Is Medicine approaches that focus on integrating consistent
access to diet- and nutrition- related resources are a critical
component to achieve this goal. The approaches are increasingly
present across many communities and systems. There’s also
increasing federal investment and action to support Food Is
Medicine approaches in a variety of settings.
Building on this collective energy, the Department of Health and
Human Services (HHS) developed a Food Is Medicine initiative in
response to a congressionally funded initiative in fiscal year 2023.
This congressional action directed the Secretary of HHS, in
consultation with other federal agencies, to develop and implement
a federal strategy to reduce nutrition-related chronic diseases and
food insecurity to improve health and racial equity in the United
States. This includes diet-related research and programmatic efforts
that will increase access to Food Is Medicine initiatives.
Understanding the Connection Between Food and
Health
Access to nutritious food is critical to health and resilience. Food Is
Medicine is a concept that reaffirms this connection, recognizing
that access to high-quality nourishment is essential for well-being.
By supporting the production of and facilitating access to nutritious
food across a health continuum and range of settings, approaches to
Food Is Medicine support immediate and long-term resources for
people, communities, and systems.
Let's get on board with the initiative to treat food as medicine.
Learn more about a whole food plant based diet and lifestyle by visiting
Optimal Wellness and Nutrition Services.
References:
1 https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/food-nutrition-assistance/food-
security-in-the-u-s/key-statistics-graphics
2 https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2016/03/16/healthy-eating-index-
3 https://www.ers.usda.gov/webdocs/publications/84467/err-
235.pdf?v=9081.9
4 https://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/resources/publications/factsheets/nutrition.htm