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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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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Colorectal Cancer

A whole food plant-based diet is naturally high in overall dietary fibre, nutrients and antioxidants, all of which support a healthy gut microbiome and reduce the risk of inflammation occurring in the colonic environment.

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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.

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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.

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