How Much Do Doctors Know About Nutrition?

Humanity's diet is the single leading cause of death, exacting an even greater health burden than smoking. This makes sense since we are what we eat—literally and physically. If we continue to rebuild our bodies every day with shoddy materials, it's no wonder we run into trouble. For example, not eating enough fruits and vegetables is blamed for millions of deaths every year. We should eat fruits and vegetables as if our lives depended on it, because in a way, it appears they do.

The Disconnection Between Doctors and Nutrition

Most Americans may be suffering from diet-related diseases, yet most are not being educated about nutrition by their doctors. Perhaps this is actually a good thing, considering how little doctors tend to know about nutrition. Physicians are typically seen as trustworthy sources of nutrition by the general public. However, in a head-to-head test of nutrition knowledge, doctors versus patients, these results suggest that physicians may not be more knowledgeable than their patients.

Nutrition Education in Medical Training

The American diet is the number one cause of death in the United States, yet doctors average less than 20 hours of nutrition training in their education, with less than five hours dedicated to clinical nutrition. For example, a landmark lifestyle heart trial by Dr. Ornish asked, "Can lifestyle changes reverse coronary artery disease?" and the answer was a resounding yes. If just that tidbit alone were understood and internalized by internists, think how many lives could be saved from our leading cause of death and disability. Yet, 90 percent of surveyed cardiologists reported receiving little or no nutrition education during their training.

The Role of Nutrition in Medicine

There appears to be a global deficiency in nutrition training across the board in medical education. The low-hanging fruit in medicine remains on the vine. For those doctors who say they don't have time, physicians don't need to perform their own diet counseling, anymore than they need to conduct their own x-rays or blood draws. However, they must recognize the role nutrition plays in disease, communicate it clearly to patients, and refer patients appropriately.

Whole-Food, Plant-Based Nutrition

The diet that Dr. Ornish used to help reverse the progression of heart disease is primarily composed of whole-food, plant-based nutrition, which includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes. Why isn’t there more widespread acknowledgment of the power of plants in the medical community? One potential reason is that the science has yet to make its way into teaching materials.

The Need for Change

Even though Dr. Ornish made this discovery decades ago, it can take years for medical practice to catch up, even when millions of lives are at stake. Nowadays, it would be unthinkable not to address patients' smoking habits, as it has been incorporated into the standard of care. Unfortunately, the evidence on nutrition has not received the same acknowledgment.

Ignorance of nutrition is no longer defensible. There are a growing number of resources for those who missed out in med school. Doctors can get board certified in lifestyle medicine and utilize resources like PCRM's "Nutrition Guide for Clinicians." While it would be ideal for doctors to practice what they preach and eat healthfully themselves, this shouldn't prevent them from recommending healthier diets.

Patient Rights and Physician Responsibility

Patients have the right to be told the truth about their dietary choices. Not mentioning powerful dietary tools is an act of withholding crucial information necessary for fully informed consent. Unfortunately, many doctors, out of ignorance, may be telling their patients to eat foods that contribute to diet-related diseases.

Until doctors are taught more about nutrition, advising patients about their diet could be seen as a form of physician-assisted suicide. Just as many smokers will continue to smoke, many will continue to eat poorly, but this should not prevent clinicians from advising smoking cessation and healthier diets.

Conclusion

The disconnect between nutrition education and medical practice poses a significant barrier to improving public health. By increasing awareness and knowledge about nutrition, healthcare professionals can play a crucial role in preventing diet-related diseases and promoting healthier lifestyles.