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Diet Related Diseases Are the Number One Cause of Death
Diet-related diseases are the number one cause of death in the United States, yet many doctors receive little to no nutrition education in medical school. This isn't surprising; I’ve been talking about this for over 20 years. Today, we're going to dive into a new study on the issue.
Most of us understand the powerful effects food has on our health and longevity, but a poor diet can lead to cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, and even psychological conditions like depression and anxiety. We'll talk more about that later in the show—remember, food can definitely affect your mood. That is why we should test, not guess.
Lack of Training for Doctors
Diet-related diseases are the leading cause of death in the U.S., and a poor diet is responsible for more deaths than smoking. In fact, they now say "obesity is the new smoking." These health problems are not only common and debilitating but incredibly expensive. Treating high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol costs the U.S. over $400 billion per year. Within 25 years, those costs are expected to triple to $1.3 trillion.
So, how much does the average physician know about nutrition? Unfortunately, deficiencies in nutrition education exist at all levels of medical school and training. This is far below the goals set by the U.S. Committee on Nutrition and Medical Education back in 1985. We're seeing a trend where doctors are receiving even less nutrition education than before. In 1985, it was recommended that medical students receive a total of 25 hours of nutrition education during school.
However, a survey of over 1,000 U.S. medical students found that 58% said they received no formal nutrition education throughout their four years of medical school. Those who did reported an average of only about six hours per year. A 2015 study showed that only 29% of medical schools met the 25-hour goal. A 2023 study suggested the problem has worsened—only 7.8% of medical students reported receiving 20 or more hours of nutrition education across all four years of school.
This lack of education directly impacts physicians' nutrition knowledge. In a study of 257 first- and second-year medical students, more than half failed a basic nutrition quiz. What’s striking is that 55% of students felt comfortable counseling patients on nutrition before taking the quiz. This issue isn’t limited to the U.S.; a 2018 global study found that nutrition education for medical students is insufficient worldwide.
Even though there’s clear evidence that nutrition education is effective, there are many reasons why it's lacking. For example, people often use the term “sweet tooth” to justify their sugar consumption. But how many sweets are you actually consuming? Has that "sweet tooth" led to being overweight, morbidly obese, or prediabetic? Are you now taking medication for conditions directly related to your weight?
Excuses are a cover-up for fear. The best way to make a change is to take the first step, and that could be as simple as scheduling a free consultation.
Understanding Toxic Positivity
In today’s world, we are told that happiness and positive thinking are the keys to a well-lived life. However, according to the 2024 World Happiness Report, the U.S. is no longer among the top 20 happiest countries, now ranking 23rd compared to 15th last year. Some believe this "feel-good" mindset has contributed to a culture of entitlement, but this view doesn’t match my experience. Millennials, for example, are often labeled as entitled, but the ones I know are go-getters, eager to make an impact.
Why are we using semantics to cover up serious issues? For instance, when people say they have a “sweet tooth,” they often laugh about it. But I wonder, is that a nervous laugh? Why laugh about something that is slowly harming your health? Every time you consume unhealthy food, it’s like taking one more step toward a preventable disease.
Toxic positivity—the idea that we must always remain positive—can be just as harmful. While positive thinking is essential in life, toxic positivity prevents us from acknowledging real issues. Pretending everything is fine when it’s not, can stop us from addressing underlying problems. It can even invite delusional thinking, as in the case of dismissing serious health issues as a "sweet tooth" problem.
Another issue with toxic positivity is that it suppresses negative emotions, which are essential for learning and growth. Our brains are wired to focus on negative emotions to alert us to potential dangers. If we suppress those feelings, we overlook important red flags. I've ignored red flags before, and I’m sure many of you have too.
It's time to stop denying our real emotions. Every emotion, even the uncomfortable ones, teaches us something valuable. While it’s essential to remain positive, it’s equally important to recognize when something needs to change—whether it's your diet, your habits, or your overall approach to life.
Addressing Obesity
Let’s also address another critical issue: obesity. The medical system often suggests simple solutions like “eat less and exercise more,” but research shows it’s more complicated than that. Many doctors know little about the microbiome, micronutrients, or food sensitivities, which is why I’m here to help. We can dig deeper and get to the root cause of your health issues.
If you’re struggling with weight loss, GI issues, joint pain, or fatigue, I encourage you to schedule a free consultation with me. You can visit my website, HarmonyWithFood.com, to get more information and access free resources like my bread guide and sample reports on the microbiome and food sensitivities.
I’m known as the anti-diet dietitian, and I’m here to change the way you think about food. If you’ve been bounced around by conventional medicine, scoped every which way, and still aren’t finding relief, I’m here to help you get to the root cause of your health problems.
We also need to be aware of the dangers in our food packaging. Many materials used to package food contain chemicals linked to breast cancer. A new study found nearly 200 chemicals in food packaging, some of which are suspected carcinogens. It’s not just plastic—chemicals are also found in paper and cardboard packaging.
As obesity rates continue to climb, it's clear that something needs to change. If you're ready to take control of your health, schedule a free call with me at HarmonyWithFood.com. You can also follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram under the handle HarmonyWithFood.
Remember, you are your best health advocate. And test, don't guess when it comes to your health!
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