Curing the Incurable

Advances in Nutritional Science To Prevent

and Reverse Disease

Joel Fuhrman, MD

Micronutrients and
Macronutrients
Macronutrients contain calories
They are
fat, carbohydrate, protein
Micronutrients do not contain calories
They are
vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals

Dr. Fuhrmans Health Equation

In physics a key formula is E = mc2.
In nutritional science the key formula is:

H=N/C
Health = Nutrients / Calories

Copyright Joel Fuhrman, M.D., 2010

U.K. Food Consumption

By Calories

Copyright Joel Fuhrman, M.D., 2010

Deaths From Diseases of the Heart*

United States. 1900-2003
Deaths in Thousands

900
800
700
600
500
400
300
200
100
00

90

80

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

19
00

Years

Source: American Heart Association -- CDC/NCHS.

Copyright Joel Fuhrman, M.D., 2010

Most people in the developed nations

die of diseases of dietary ignorance
World-wide obesity is skyrocketing
This exploding rate of overweight and obesity
represents a world-wide pandemic that needs
urgent attention if its potential morbidity,
mortality, and economic tolls are to be avoided.

Over 1 billion people

world wide are overweight
Copyright Joel Fuhrman, M.D., 2010

Prevalence of Diabetes Worldwide

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Diabetes Data & Trends
http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/statistics/prev/national/figpersons.htm

Copyright Joel Fuhrman, M.D., 2010

Body Fat Kills

Copyright Joel Fuhrman, M.D., 2010

Where is the health in health care?

7 out of 10 deaths caused by chronic diseases

WHO predicts 36 million deaths from heart

disease, stroke and cancer can be prevented
in the next 10 years if improvements made in
food choices
Cost of dietary-related disease in the UK alone
is predicted to be over E 19 billion over next
10 years.
BBC News: 'Cut chronic disease deaths' call, October 4,
2005. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/4307472.stm
Copyright Joel Fuhrman, M.D., 2010

Heart Disease and Cancer

Processed Foods Implicated

9-year study of 34,492 women ages 55-69:

66% increased risk of death from heart disease for those
eating refined grains
15 epidemiological studies:
Directly linked diets containing refined grains and refined
sweets to stomach and colon cancer
12 breast cancer studies:

Increased cancer risks associated with low-fiber diets

Copyright Joel Fuhrman, M.D., 2010

Vegetables Protect Against

Heart Disease and Cancer
Greens are needed to activate NRF2, which prevents plaque
adhesion
Those with the highest blood levels of lutein had the healthiest blood
vessels, with no atherosclerosis.
Vegetables have the most consistent and powerful association with
reduction of cancers of all types
Zakkar M, et al. Activation of Nrf2 in Endothelial Cells Protects Arteries From Exhibiting a Proinflammatory State.
Arteriosclerosis Thrombosis and Vascular Biology. Dwyer JH, et al. Oxygenated carotenoid lutein and progression of
early atherosclerosis. Circulation 2001;103(24):2922-2927. Seow A et al. Carcinogenesis. 2002;23(12):2055-61. Steinmetz
KA et al. J Am Diet Assoc 1996;96(10):1027-39.

Copyright Joel Fuhrman, M.D., 2010

Seeds and Nuts Prevent

Sudden Cardiac Death
Sudden Cardiac Death almost 40 percent of all heart
disease deaths
The most common cause of death in people with no
known heart disease

The most proven and effective intervention to reducing risk

of sudden cardiac death is the regular consumption of
seeds and nuts in the diet.
23 interventional trials dramatic reduction in all-cause
mortality
Mukuddem-Petersen J, Oosthuizen W, Jerling JC. A systematic review of the effects of nuts
on blood lipid profiles in humans. J Nutr. 2005 Sep;135(9):2082-9.
Copyright Joel Fuhrman, M.D., 2010

Excess Protein Shortens Lifespan

Promotes Cancer
Lower IGF-1 levels protect against cancer and slow aging.
Animal protein intake is the key determinant of IGF-1 levels
in humans
Animal protein raises cholesterol, plant protein lowers it

Fontana L, et al. Long-term effects of calorie or protein restriction on serum IGF-1 and IGFBP3 concentration in humans. Aging Cell 2008; 7(5):681-687.
Copyright Joel Fuhrman, M.D., 2010

ANDI Scores reflect micronutrient density

Kale
1000
Collards
916
Spinach
886
Bok Choy
839
Romaine
462
Boston
412
Broccoli
395
Artichoke
352
Cabbage
344
Green Pep 310
Carrots
288
Asparagus 280
Strawberry 254
Cauliflower 269
Tomato
197
Cherries
197
Blueberries 155
Iceburg
132
Orange
130

Cantaloupe
Apple
Peach
Kidney Beans
Green Peas
Sweet Potato
Soybeans
Tofu
Mango
Cucumber
Oatmeal
White Potato
Brown Rice
Salmon
Shrimp
Skim Milk
Grapes
Corn
Avocado

120
91
88
84
84
81
74
69
61
59
55
53
49
48
46
43
40
37
36

Banana
36
Walnuts
35
Almonds
33
Chicken Breast
32
Low Fat Yogurt
31
Apple Juice
30
Eggs
29
Feta Cheese
25
Whole Wheat Bread 25
Whole Milk
23
White Pasta
22
White Bread
21
Peanut Butter
21
Swiss Cheese
18
Ground Beef
17
Potato Chips
13
Vanilla Ice Cream
6
Olive Oil
2
Cola
0.6
Copyright Joel Fuhrman, M.D., 2010

ANDI Facts

calcium,
beta carotene,
alpha carotene,
lutein,
zeaxanthin
lycopene
fiber
folate
glucosinolates
iron
magnesium
niacin

resistant starch
selenium
sterols
vitamin B1 (thiamin)
vitamin B2 (riboflavin),
vitamin B6
vitamin B12
vitamin C
vitamin E
zinc
ORAC score (Oxygen Radical Absorbance
Capacity)

Copyright Joel Fuhrman, M.D., 2010

Dr. Fuhrmans Nutritarian

Food Pyramid

Copyright Joel Fuhrman, M.D., 2010

Food Addiction Drives Overeating

Copyright Joel Fuhrman, M.D., 2010

Alternative to Conventional
Treatment?
What if there were a way to lower cholesterol drop
blood pressure and prevent heart disease that was
more effective than taking medications?
What if you could actually reverse adult diabetes and
without the risks and the costs of drugs?
What if you could avoid angioplasty or coronary
bypass surgery and actually reverse coronary disease
that has already occurred?

Copyright Joel Fuhrman, M.D., 2010

Case Study
Ronnie lost 140 lbs in 12 months!
I would not want anyone to go through what I have had to endure in my
struggle before I learned about Dr. Fuhrman. DON'T WAIT until you
have a medical tragedy happen to you! Start your new life today!!!

Copyright Joel Fuhrman, M.D., 2010

Ronnie one year later

Copyright Joel Fuhrman, M.D., 2010

Percent decrease of LDL Cholesterol

Jenkins, D.J., et al., Effect of a very-high-fiber vegetable,

fruit, and nut diet on serum lipids and colonic function.
Metabolism, 2001. 50(4): p. 494-503.

NUTRITARIAN
Medications
Statin Drugs

Low fat
vegetarian
American Heart
Association
Atkins Diet
High Protein
Mediterranean

26%

33%

16%

6%

Copyright Joel Fuhrman, M.D., 2010

Heart disease, Hypertension and

Diabetes is preventable and reversible
Compelling data from nutritional studies, population surveys,
and interventional studies supports the effectiveness of a
healthy, plant-based diet to arrest, prevent, and reverse
heart disease.
My experience treating hundreds of high risk heart patients
over the last 20 years, with no heart disease deaths.

Breslow JL. Cardiovascular disease myths and facts. Cleve Clin J Med 1998;65(6):286-287. Ornish D, et al. Intensive
lifestyle changes for reversal of coronary heart disease. JAMA 1998;280:2001-2007.

Copyright Joel Fuhrman, M.D., 2010

Nobody Need Die of Heart

Attacks & Stroke
Dr. Esselstyns experience and studies
58 patients with advance heart disease
17 year follow-up going on all this time without
one having a heart attack
Dr. Ornishs experience and studies
documenting for over 20 years that heart
disease is reversible with lifestyle
interventions, even in most advanced cases.
Esselstyn, C.B., Jr., Resolving the Coronary Artery Disease Epidemic Through Plant-Based
Nutrition. Prev Cardiol, 2001. 4(4): p. 171-177.
Copyright Joel Fuhrman, M.D., 2010

Nutritarian vs. Standard Diet

Nutritarian Diet
Vegetable-based
Lots of fruit, beans,
seeds, nuts
Oil used sparingly
Animal products
none or rarely

Focused on nutrientdense calories

Standard Diet
Grain based
Lots of dairy and meat
Oils supply a major
caloric load
Animal products 2 4
times a day
Focused on nutrient-poor
calories

Foods with strongest link to disease

Processed meats, luncheon meats, barbeque meats,
red meats
Fried foods

White Foods white flour, sugar, white rice

The Fountain of Youth

Plant-based diet containing high micro-nutrient
containing foods - vegetables and beans,
mushrooms, onions, seeds, nuts, fruit
Limit (or eliminate) unhealthy foods including
processed foods and animal products

Copyright Joel Fuhrman, M.D., 2010

Look at it this way,

at least we will be able to stick to Dr. Fuhrmans diet !
Copyright Joel Fuhrman, M.D., 2010