Opinion on plant-based nutrition, chronic disease risk factors, and longevity

Nutrition Q&A [Moderated]
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Hi Dr. Feigenbaum-

I’ve listened to several of your podcasts and read some of your articles. I am curious as to your opinion on the research and claims coming from various MD’s and other sources (Dr. Dean Ornish, Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn, Dr. Neal Barnard, Dr. Micheal Greger, Dr. T. Colin Campbell, the Blue Zones Project, the Adventist Health Studies, etc) that a mostly whole food, plant-based diet decreases risk of heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, and cancer and increases longevity. These proponents claim research provides compelling evidences that animal-based foods increase many of the risk factors for these chronic diseases.

What is your take on this and what is your advice to someone who is interested in strength gains, as well as keeping these risk factors as low as possible.

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This is an awfully broad topic and I don’t necessarily want to answer something you’re not asking. So, do you have a specific question?

That said, I don’t think that there’s good evidence to suggest a person eating a mixed diet who also maintains an appropriate body weight and body composition has more morbidity and higher all-cause mortality than someone who is a vegan. Further, I think that going the other way and saying ‘all meat’= healthy is not a good idea.

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