XXI The 20th century has seen an unprecedented rise in chronic diseases, creating a burden on health systems worldwide. Non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer and obesity have rapidly emerged as major global health threats.
The World Health Organization (WHO) states that most of these chronic diseases are largely linked to dietary factors. Diet-related diseases account for nearly 60% of global deaths and 46% of disability-adjusted life years, according to World Health Statistics 2002. , managing chronic diseases, and even going back: nutrition.
Transforming health through nutrition involves a multifaceted approach. It requires an overhaul of our industrial food system, health reform, and education about the impact of food.
Our industrial food system has largely become a supplier of processed foods and nutrient-poor foods. These foods tend to be high in salt, fat and sugar, and excessive consumption of them has been linked to diseases such as cardiovascular disease, obesity and type 2 diabetes. Reforming this system to favor fresh and whole foods and the availability and marketing of unhealthy foods must be a priority.
Health systems should also involve significant nutrition interventions. Doctors and medical professionals should have a wider knowledge in nutrition, as it is a crucial determinant of health. Traditionally, medical training has focused on treating disease rather than preventing or managing it through better nutrition. Changing this paradigm will pave the way for more integrative approaches in healthcare, where nutrition and pharmacological interventions work together to treat chronic diseases.
Educating the public about the importance of nutrition is also essential. A well-informed population will be able to make better food choices, exercise portion control, and understand the importance of balanced and varied meals. This education should also be extended to schools, where children can learn the value of good nutrition from an early age.
Globally, several initiatives are already demonstrating the positive impact nutrition-focused interventions can have on chronic disease management. For example, Geisinger Health System’s Fresh Food Pharmacy program offers patients with type 2 diabetes healthy foods as part of their prescription. This has shown significant improvements in blood glucose levels among participants.
Also, the Ornish Lifestyle Medicine program, a comprehensive lifestyle change program that emphasizes a plant-based diet along with physical activity, stress management, and supportive relationships, has been shown to reverse coronary artery disease. This program is now covered for Medicare beneficiaries, showing that systemic change in health care is possible.
In Brazil, the government prioritized dietary guidelines that emphasize fresh, unprocessed foods and the social, cultural, and environmental implications of food choices. Their guidelines are considered the best worldwide and serve as an example of what reform can achieve.
Fighting chronic disease with nutrition is a fundamental aspect of revolutionizing health. Through systemic changes in the food industry, healthcare and education, we have the potential to significantly reduce the burden of chronic disease. The path to a healthier future involves prioritizing a basic medical truth: “Let food be thy medicine, and medicine be thy food.” As the ancient Greek physician Hippocrates said, nutrition has the power to prevent and treat disease, and it is time to consider it as the basis of health.
