💌 Valentine’s Teaser at end of article
By Dr. Irene Lazarus, MD, MPH
Board-Certified Preventive Medicine Physician
For generations, healthcare has focused on diagnosing disease once it appears—often long after the body has been quietly signaling that something is off. Today, a growing body of scientific evidence, echoed across cultures and embraced by Lifestyle Medicine, reminds us of a simple but powerful truth: food is not just fuel—it is medicine.
The idea of Food as Medicine isn’t a passing trend. It’s timeless. What’s new is our ability to study it rigorously, measure outcomes, and apply it intentionally to prevent—and in some cases improve—chronic disease.
Across foundational works one can appreciate a consistent message emerges: the foods we choose each day influence inflammation, metabolism, gut health, and disease risk as powerfully as many medical interventions.
Plant-forward eating patterns—rich in vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains, nuts, seeds, herbs, and spices—are consistently associated with lower rates of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease (like Heart Attacks and Strokes), certain cancers (like Colon Cancer), and neurodegenerative (i.e. Dementia) conditions.1
This isn’t about dietary perfection. It’s about nutrient density.
Whole plant foods naturally provide:
Lifestyle Medicine doesn’t ask, “What should I eliminate?”
It asks, “What can I add to better support healing?”
Disease Reversal: More Than Symptom Control
One of the most misunderstood concepts in modern healthcare is disease reversal. This does not mean abandoning medications or medical care. Instead, it means addressing underlying drivers—such as insulin resistance, chronic inflammation, and nutrient deficiencies—rather than managing symptoms alone.
Nutrition plays a central role in this process. Therapeutic eating patterns can:
When combined with movement, sleep, stress management, reducing risky substances (i.e. alcohol), and social connection, food becomes a cornerstone of healing—not an afterthought.
Culinary medicine bridges the gap between knowing what’s healthy and actually doing it. Health doesn’t happen in a lab—it happens in kitchens, grocery stores, and around shared meals.
Evidence-based nutrition only works when it’s practical, culturally relevant, and enjoyable. Teaching people how to prepare nourishing meals is just as important as teaching why those foods matter.
The carnivore diet—focused almost entirely on animal-based foods—has gained attention, particularly among individuals seeking short-term weight loss or relief from digestive or autoimmune symptoms.
In some cases, temporarily reducing food variety can help identify sensitivities or eliminate highly processed foods. However, from a preventive medicine perspective, long-term exclusion of fiber-rich plant foods raises concerns.
Diets very high in animal fats and proteins—without adequate fiber or phytonutrients—may:
Similarly, highly processed foods are engineered for shelf life and taste—not nourishment. They often:
The issue isn’t calories alone—it’s biological signaling. Whole foods support the body’s regulatory systems; ultra-processed foods often interfere with them.
From a clinical standpoint, elimination-style diets—including carnivore or gluten-free approaches—may be useful short-term diagnostic tools, not long-term solutions. If symptoms persist beyond several months despite basic dietary changes, it’s important to consult a qualified healthcare professional.
True healing requires portion control and diversity —on the plate and in the microbiome.
Animal vs. Plant Protein — What’s the Difference? Healthline.com Youtube Channel.2
One of the most persistent nutrition myths is that carbohydrates are inherently harmful. In reality, carbohydrates from whole foods—especially those rich in fiber—are essential for metabolic health.
What matters most is:
Vegetables, fruits, legumes, and whole grains support energy balance, digestion, and long-term metabolic health when eaten in appropriate portions and combinations. The body is designed to metabolize carbohydrates—especially when they come packaged with fiber.
Food as Medicine is not about restriction, extremes, or chasing nutrition trends. It’s about alignment—with biology, culture, sustainability, and joy.
When we shift from asking “What diet should I follow?” to “What does my body need to heal and thrive?”, food becomes a powerful ally.
As we move toward spring—a season of renewal—this is an invitation to nourish, not punish; to add, not subtract; and to remember that healing often begins with the simplest prescription of all: real food, prepared with intention, eaten with care.
Confused about carbs, juicing, or what “healthy” really means for your body?
You’re not alone—and you don’t need another diet headline.
Continue the conversation by submitting your questions and joining our growing Nutrition as Medicine Middle Tennessee community. You’ll receive evidence-based insights, myth-busting guidance, and early access to upcoming Spring programs focused on sustainable, whole-body health.
👉 Join the Newsletter & Submit Your Questions Click Here.
💌 Valentine’s Teaser
As a thank-you for choosing nourishment over extremes, subscribers will receive a Valentine’s Special reveal tied to our Spring Arc.
Promo Code: LoveYourBody
(Details unveiled exclusively in our upcoming issue—stay tuned.)
Because the most lasting love story starts with how you care for your body—this season and beyond.
Dr. Irene Lazarus combines clinical expertise with public health leadership, building community-driven solutions for healthier populations. [Discover more ➝]
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