Topic summaries

There is powerful evidence in favour of whole food plant-based diets for the prevention, mitigation and in some cases lasting reversal of disease. Learn more with our topic summaries compiled by DFN experts.

Whether you are a practitioner, a patient or just curious about the evidence on optimum diets for health and longevity, these resources set out the key facts, references and links to learn more.

Heart disease

A low fat whole food plant-based diet is the only eating pattern that has been scientifically demonstrated to reverse atherosclerotic heart disease.

Breast cancer

Research has demonstrated that diets revolving around whole plant foods may significantly cut the risk of breast cancer, including recurrence risk in survivors.

Obesity

Adopting a whole food plant-based eating pattern results in rapid, sustainable weight loss, reducing the risk of both short and long-term health problems.

Type 2 diabetes

A whole food plant-based eating pattern is highly effective in both the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes, including lasting resolution.

Prostate cancer

Evidence shows that plant-based nutrition and other lifestyle factors may help prevent progression or even promote regression of early-stage prostate cancer.

Chronic kidney disease

The evidence shows healthy plant-based diets directly address the root cause of the majority of CKD cases and the primary cause of death in CKD patients.

Mental health

A Western diet is associated with an increase risk of a depressive illness. Shifting to a low fat whole food plant-based diet may bring about positive changes in mental health.

The gut microbiota

Diets high in plant-based foods with a variety of dietary fibre types are beneficial for the gut microbiota, with changes notable within just two weeks of changing diet.

Chronic pain

Chronic pain resulting from a range of conditions can be helped by a whole food plant-based diet due to the diet's anti-inflammatory and other properties.

Acne

Diets based on whole plant foods, rich in fibre and polyphenols, can provide a natural, low-risk intervention for both preventing and treating acne vulgaris.

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Polycystic ovarian syndrome

Dietary modifications are recommended as a first-line therapy for the management of PCOS, with whole food plant-based diets offering a range of benefits.

Rheumatoid arthritis

There is good evidence demonstrating that a whole food plant-based diet is effective in reducing the inflammation and pain experienced in rheumatoid arthritis.