Good Medicine · PDF fileGood Medicine From the Physicians ... staples should be the New Four...

Good Medicine From the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine / Spring 2010 / Vol. XIX, No. 2

Dr. Barnard Helps ‘Viewers Like You’

Fight Diabetes

Introducing the Healthy School Meals Act of 2010

Ginnifer Goodwin Has Big Love for Vegan Kickstart

Animals, Research, and Alternatives: Call for Abstracts

Nonanimal Chemical Testing

for a Safer Environment

Congress Pushes Military to End

Animal Use

Chimpanzee Protection Gains

Wide-Ranging Support

University of Washington Allows Monkey to Starve

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Meet the Power PlatePCRM Changes the Shape of Nutrition

2 GOOD MEDICINE Spring 2010

Editorial


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Neal D. Barnard, M.D. President of PCRM

It’s time to retire the Pyramid. Yes, its shape was appealing. And its message was reassuring. Whether you gravitated toward the grains,

fruits, and vegetables at its base, or the meats and dairy products pictured on its upper levels, the Pyramid had you covered. But that was exactly the problem. From the beginning, the diagram was at odds with scientific evidence. It was intended to promote a solid premise, that the basis of the diet should be vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. But its recommendations for meat and dairy products flew in the face of countless studies showing that people who eat these products daily are less healthy than people who steer clear of them.

In 1991, when the Eating Right Pyramid was about to debut, three colleagues joined me in suggesting a better way. T. Colin Campbell, Ph.D., who led the China Study; Denis Burkitt, M.D., who established the value of fiber in the diet; and Oliver Alabaster, M.D., an oncologist from The George Washington University, spoke at a PCRM press conference near the White House. We held that the dietary staples should be the New Four Food Groups—vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and legumes (beans, peas, and lentils). All other foods were deemed optional—and some “optional” foods (e.g., meats, dairy products, eggs, greasy and sugary foods) are best left off the plate entirely. A week later, the Pyramid was released. The National Cattlemen’s Beef Associa-

tion, already reeling from our suggestion that meat no longer be a daily requirement, was scandalized by meat’s seemingly reduced prominence on the Pyramid. The group descended on the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and demanded that the diagram be withdrawn—which it was, in no time flat. Not until a year later did it reappear nearly unchanged under the name “Food Guide Pyramid.” In 2005, the diagram was redrawn to replace the depictions of food with uninterpretable colored stripes. Users had to go online to find out what was recommended. And that’s the Pyramid we know today. Enter the Power Plate. It is a simple and reasonably literal diagram that shows the healthy foods that belong on our plates. It is both more accurate than the Pyramid and much easier to implement. PCRM

has developed and released the Power Plate with posters in doctors’ offices, adver-tisements in nutrition journals, and a full Web presence. And we have asked the federal government to adopt it—or something like it—as federal policy. There are many uncertainties in nutritional science: Is it better to emphasize whole grains, or should our plates be more abundant in vegetables and fruits? Is raw better than cooked? The Power Plate does not tackle these questions. Rather, it sticks to the basics: a healthy diet emphasizes vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and legumes. It also points out the importance of getting

vitamin B12 from either supplements or fortified foods (a recommendation that the government currently limits to older people, but is sound advice for everyone). And it presents these ideas in a framework that anyone can understand. An up-to-date teaching tool is just a first step in improving people’s eating habits. But if our educational tools can keep up with what we know about nutritional sci-ence, our message is that much more powerful.

We have asked the federal government to adopt it—or something like it—as federal policy.

Introducing the Power Plate FruitFruits

T. Colin Campbell, Ph.D., Denis Burkitt, M.D., Neal Barnard, M.D., and Oliver Alabaster, M.D., in 1991

Spring 2010 GOOD MEDICINE 3

FruitFruits

PCRM Doctors and laypersons working together for compassionate

and effective medical practice, research, and health promotion.

ContentsContents

Spring 2010 GOOD MEDICINE 3printEd on rECyClEd papEr

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PCRM Phone Extensions 202-686-2210Research Issues ................................................................................ ext. 335Health Charities ............................................................................... ext. 384Literature Requests .......................................................................... ext. 306Media ............................................................................................... ext. 316Membership (change of address, duplicate mailings, renewal questions) ....................................................... ext. 304Nutrition .......................................................................................... ext. 395PCRM.oRg

Good Medicine®From tHE pHySiCianS CommittEE

For rESponSiblE mEdiCinE

SprinG 2010 Vol. XiX, no. 2

Editor in Chief Neal D. Barnard, M.D.Managing Editor/Designer Doug Hall

Editor Carrie MumahAssociate Editor Patrick Sullivan

Production Manager Lynne CraneSenior Web Designer Lisa Schulz

ADviSORY BOARDT. Colin Campbell, Ph.D. Cornell University

Caldwell B. Esselstyn, Jr., M.D. The Cleveland ClinicHenry J. Heimlich, M.D., Sc.D. The Heimlich Institute

Suzanne Havala Hobbs, Dr.P.H., M.S., R.D. University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill

Lawrence Kushi, Sc.D. Kaiser PermanenteJohn McDougall, M.D. McDougall Program

virginia Messina, M.P.H., R.D. Nutrition Matters, Inc.Milton Mills, M.D. Gilead Medical Group

Myriam Parham, R.D., C.D.E., C.L.C. Florida Hospital ZephyrhillsWilliam Roberts, M.D. Baylor Cardiovascular Institute

Andrew Weil, M.D. University of Arizona

Affiliations are listed for identification only.

PCRM STAFF • Kristin Adair Public Affairs Associate & Legislative Counsel • Nancy Beck, Ph.D. Scientific and Policy Adviser • Noelle Callahan Research Program Coordinator • Lynne Crane Production Manager • Cael Croft Associate Designer • Claudia Delman, M.P.H. Outreach Manager • Debra Durham, Ph.D. Senior Research Scientist • Jill Eckart, C.H.H.C. Assistant to the President • Leah Engel Executive Assistant • Tara Failey Com-munications Coordinator • Hope Ferdowsian, M.D., M.P.H. Director of Research Policy • Rebecca Frye Research Program Coordinator • Jessica Frost Communications Assistant • Noah Gittell Research and Education Programs Coordinator • Doug Hall Publications Director • Vaishali Honawar Communications Coordinator • Patricia Howard Advertising and PSA Manager • Michael Keevican Web Editor/Staff Writer • Mark Kennedy, Esq. As-sociate General Counsel • Dan Kinburn, Esq. General Counsel • Leah Koeppel Nutrition and Research Assistant • Elizabeth Kucinich Director of Public Affairs • Ruby Lathon, Ph.D. Nutrition Policy Manager • Susan Levin, M.S., R.D. Director of Nutrition Education • Lynn Maurer Associate Designer • Jeanne Stuart McVey Media Relations Manager • Ryan Merkley Manager of Research and Education Programs • Carrie Mumah Staff Writer • John Pippin, M.D. Senior Medical and Research Adviser • Chip Rogers Legislative Director • Leslie Rudloff, Esq. Senior Counsel • Chad Sandusky, Ph.D. Director of Toxicology and Regulatory Testing • Lisa Schulz Web Designer • Kathryn Strong, M.S., R.D. Dietitian • Kristie Sullivan, M.P.H. Scientific and Policy Adviser • Patrick Sullivan Director of Com-munications • Caroline Trapp, M.S.N., A.P.R.N., B.C.-ADM, C.D.E. Director of Diabetes Education and Care • THE CANCER PROJECT • Joseph Gonzales Dietitian • Sanjay Jain Educational Program and Volunteer Coordinator • Lauray MacElhern Managing Director • Dawnyel Pryor Marketing Manager • Emily Richard Educational Program Manager • PCRM FOUNDATION • Nabila Abdulwahab Data Processor • Bruce Banks Staff Accoun-tant • Melinda Beard Receptionist • Nikki Bollaert, M.N.M., C.F.R.E., C.A.P. Director of Special Gifts • Deniz Corcoran Data Entry Manager • Sossena Dagne Data Processor • John Evans Database/Web Developer • Riva Gebel Major Gifts Officer • Stacey Glaeser Director of Human Resources • Tashawn Graham Help Desk Technician • Erica Hanna Information Technology Manager • Lesley Hill Accounts Payable Coordinator • Stephen Kane Finance Director • Jacqueline Keller Development Assistant • JohnR Llewellyn Internet Marketing Manager • Garron Marsh Facilities Coordinator • Andria Matrone Membership Assistant • Debbi Miller Special Events Manager • Eden Mohammed Office Services Coordinator • Margaret Murray Major Gifts Officer • John Netzel Facilities Manager • Will Oliver Lit-erature Fulfillment Coordinator • Manali Patel Staff Accountant • Sarah Petersen Human Resources Coordinator • Laura Ricucci Human Resources Assistant • Betsy Wason, C.F.R.E. Director of Development • Rod Weaver Data Manager • Christopher Wright Finance As-sistant • Craig Ziskin Associate Director of Annual Giving • WASHINGTON CENTER FOR CLINICAL RESEARCH • Heather Katcher, Ph.D., R.D. Clinical Research Coordinator • CONSULTANTS • Jarrod Bailey, Ph.D. • Jonathan Balcombe, Ph.D. • Laura Beck • Michelle Cehn • Elizabeth Cummings • Amber Green, R.D. • Jennifer Huff • Amy Lanou, Ph.D. • Paul Marcone • Suzan Porto • Jennifer Reilly, R.D. • Garrett Strang Good Medicine is published quarterly by the Physicians Commit-tee for Responsible Medicine, 5100 Wisconsin Ave., NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20016, tel 202-686-2210, fax 202-686-2216. It is distributed as a membership benefit to PCRM members. Basic annual membership in PCRM is $20 (tax-deductible). PCRM promotes good nutrition, preventive medicine, ethical research practices, and compassionate medical policy.

Readers are welcome to reprint articles without additional permission. Please include the credit line: Reprinted from Good Medicine, Spring 2010, Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. Articles are not to be reprinted for resale. Please contact PCRM at [email protected] regarding other permissions. ©PCRM 2010.

Good Medicine is not intended as individual medical advice. Persons with medical conditions or who are taking medications should discuss any diet and lifestyle changes with their health professional.

“Good Medicine” is a registered trademark of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. “Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine,” “PCRM,” “The Cancer Project,” “Humane Charity Seal,” and “The Gold Plan” are trademarks of PCRM, federal registration pending.

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nutrition and prevention

6 A New Direction: Food Pyramid Yields to PCRM’s Power Plate

9 Introducing the Healthy School Meals Act of 2010

10 Dr. Barnard Helps ‘Viewers Like You’ Fight Diabetes Ginnifer Goodwin Has Big Love for Vegan Kickstart

research issues

11 Congress Pushes Military to End Animal Use

12 Nonanimal Chemical Testing for a Safer Environment Action Alert: Contact the FDA about Animal Testing

13 PCRM Urges NASA Inspector General to Block Monkey Experiment Hard-Fought Victory for Animals at Medical College of Wisconsin

14 Another Canadian Trauma Training Course Goes Animal Free Animals, Research, and Alternatives: Call for Abstracts

15 Chimpanzee Protection Gains Wide-Ranging Support University of Washington Allows Monkey to Starve

the Cancer project

16 The Cancer Project Update New Online Forums / Worst ‘Gourmet’ Burgers

17 The News You Need

departments

4 The Latest in...

18 Member Support Get Connected / Sublime Event / PCRM Credit Card

20 PCRM Marketplace

23 Just the Facts

24 Physician Profile Peas vs. Pills: Nandita Shah, M.D.

CoVEr poStEr: pCrm / iStoCKpHoto

23

4 GOOD MEDICINE Winter 2006

the latest in…the latest in…

rESEarCH EtHiCS by Kristie Sullivan, m.p.H.


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A simulated dog named FRED, or Flexible and

Rigid Endoscopic Training Device, is training veteri-nary students and veterinar-ians to perform high-tech surgeries and could save the lives of dogs currently used in training. Created by University of Tennessee professor Jacqueline Whittemore, Ph.D., D.V.M., and former student Katy Kott-kamp, D.V.M., FRED allows veterinar-ians and students to practice stomach endoscopy surgeries. Endoscopy uses an

instrument to examine the interior of an organ or cavity of the body. Students of veterinary endoscopy are currently trained using live dogs, who are often killed afterward. Dr. Whittemore and the University of Tennessee received a provisional patent

research program on track to reduce animal testing

A federal government research effort could be the beginning of the end

of toxicity testing using animals. The ToxCast program aims to develop a suite of hundreds of cell-based tests to predict how chemicals might affect hu-man health. The Environmental Protection Agen-cy has published the results of the first phase of the project, which tested a set of more than 300 pesticide chemicals. Researchers found strong correlations between existing data on chemical ef-

fects and the results of cell-based assays. This is the first step toward providing the scientific support needed to persuade regulatory agencies to use nonanimal testing batteries. The next phase of the program will expand to several thousand chemicals, including pharmaceuticals and industrial chemicals. This approach could completely replace animal-based toxicity testing. Cell-based and other nonanimal testing methods allow many more chemicals to be tested at once. The results are more relevant to humans since human cells and tissues are used, and much more information can be obtained on how each chemical—and even mixtures of chemicals—might inter-act with human biology. The cell-based tests are designed to capture a chemical signature that can help regulators decide which human

organ systems a chemical might affect. The signatures also allow regulators to categorize chemicals with similar effects. Scientists can use computer modeling to translate the results from cellular tests to humans. The ToxCast program has been in progress since 2007, and represents one step toward implementing the 2007 National Research Council report Toxicity Testing in the 21st Century: A Vision and a Strategy.

model dog trains Veterinary Surgeons and Students

for FRED in late 2009, and Dr. Whitte-more plans to build models to distribute to other veterinary schools. Future mod-els will offer the opportunity to practice bronchoscopy, feeding tube placement, laparoscopy, and urinary surgery.

In Vitro to Vivo Associations

Endoscopic images from FRED: stomach with rugal folds; lesser incisura and start of pyloric outflow tract; antrum of stomach (retroflexed view); duodenal papilla

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Winter 2006 GOOD MEDICINE 5

nUtrition the latest in…by Susan levin, m.S., r.d., and Kathryn Strong, m.S., r.d.

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Cutting out meat improves mood

Avoiding meat improves mood, ac-cording to a report presented at a

recent American Public Health Associa-tion conference. Researchers at Arizona State University divided 39 participants into three diet groups: One group was asked to have no meat or eggs; a second was asked to have fish three to four times per week, but no other meat; and a third made no diet changes. The vegetarian group experienced mood improve-ments in both tension and confusion categories, while the meat-eating participants and fish eaters showed no mood improvements.

Beezhold BL, Johnston CS, Daigle DR. Restriction of flesh foods in omnivores improves mood: a pilot randomized controlled trial. Poster presented at: American Public Health Association’s 137th Annual Meeting and Exposition; November 9, 2009: Philadelphia, PA.

E. Coli from Chicken Causes Urinary tract infections

Bacteria from chicken products may be a major cause of urinary tract in-

fections, according to a new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study. Researchers examined urine samples from women who had urinary tract infec-tions and matched E. coli in the samples to E. coli from contaminated foods. They found that most of the E. coli was ingested through retail meat products (61 percent of which were chicken products) and ready-to-eat products (73 percent of which were meat products). The authors concluded that chicken was the main source of urinary tract infection-causing E. coli. Researchers also warned that animal-product sources of E. coli may be drug-resistant, which can require more costly and complicated treatments.Vincent C, Boerlin P, Daignault D, et al. Food reservoir for Escherichia coli causing urinary tract infections. Emerg Infect Dis. 2010;16:88-95.

mEntal HEaltH

restaurant burgers and Fried Chicken increase diabetes risk

animal protein linked to diabetes

Researchers found that African-American women who ate two or more restaurant hamburgers per week were 40 percent more likely to develop type 2 diabetes, while two or more fried chicken meals

led to a 68 percent increase in diabetes risk. The research followed more than 44,000 participants who were originally diabetes-free and were part of the Black Women’s Health Study. Krishnan S, Coogan PF, Boggs, DA, Rosenberg L, Palmer JR. Consump-tion of restaurant foods and incidence of type 2 diabetes in African-American women. Am J Clin Nutr. 2010;91:465-471.

Hamburgers and fried chicken may significantly increase type 2 diabetes

risk, according to a recent article in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Diabetes risk increases with higher intake of total protein and animal

protein, according to a recent study in Diabetes Care. Researchers analyzed the diets of 38,094 Dutch participants from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) study and found that for every 5 percent of calories consumed from protein instead of carbohydrate or fat, the risk of de-veloping diabetes increased 30 percent. Increased animal protein intake also co-incided with increased body mass index, waist circumference, and blood pressure. Vegetable protein intake was not associ-ated with diabetes risk.

Sluijs I, Beulens JWJ, Van Der A DL, Spijkerman AMW, Grobbee DE, Van Der Shouw YT. Dietary intake of total, animal, and vegetable protein and risk of type 2 diabetes in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC)-NL study. Diabetes Care. 2010; 33:43-48.

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prevention & nutrition

1894: The U.S. Depart-ment of Agriculture develops the first food composition tables.

The Food Guide Pyramid has adorned classroom walls and food packages since 1992, but a new,

more accurate, and more user-friendly graphic has been developed by PCRM experts for use by schools, health care professionals, and individuals looking for up-to-date nutrition advice. The U.S. Department of Agriculture created the Eat-ing Right Pyramid diagram in 1991. Unlike the Basic Four diagram it replaced, it promoted grains, vegetables, and fruits, with somewhat less emphasis on meats and dairy products, and even less on sugar and added fats. It was quickly withdrawn, however, under objections by the meat industry. A year later, the Food Guide Pyramid re-emerged, nearly identical to its predecessor. However, as the paint dried on the new graphic, it was clear that it was already out of date. Even with reduced graphic emphasis on meats and dairy products, it still called for two to three servings of both each day. Studies had already shown, however, that people who follow its advice to consume meat and dairy products are, as a group, less healthy than people who avoid these products altogether. For many, the Pyramid seemed overly abstract and did not translate very well into daily choices. After all, people eat from plates, not pyramids. In 2005, the USDA modified the graphic again, introducing its current—and even more controver-sial—food guide, MyPyramid. The graphic—a series

1916: The first daily food guides appear in USDA publications. They consist of five food groups: milk and meat, cereals, vegetables and fruits, fats and fat foods, and sugars and sugary foods.

1933: During the Great Depression, the government issues family food plans that specify which foods to eat at different cost levels using 12 major food groups: milk; potatoes and sweet potatoes; dry beans, peas, and nuts; tomatoes and citrus fruits; leafy green and yellow vegetables; other vegetables and fruits; eggs; lean meat, poultry, and fish; flours and cereals; butter; other fats; and sugars.

1941: The Food and Nutrition Board of the National Academy of Sciences releases the first Recommended Dietary Allowances, which include recommen-dations for calories and nine nutrients.

1942: During World War II, the USDA releases the Basic Seven food guide. This guide suggests alternate choices in case of wartime shortages.

1946: The USDA adds the number of recommended daily servings to the Basic Seven.Th

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A New DirectionFood Pyramid Yields to PCRM’s Power Plate



1956: The seven food groups are condensed to the Basic Four in the USDA publication Essentials of an Adequate Diet. The guide focuses on eating habits to prevent nutrient deficiencies. It recommends a minimum number of serv-ings of milk products, meat products, fruits and vegetables, and grains.

of colored stripes—includes no food images at all and requires Internet access to gain dietary guidance. Its program content continues to recommend meat, dairy products, and other unhealthful foods.

New Building Blocks PCRM dietitians and doctors saw the need for a set of easy-to-use dietary guidance tools that serve the current needs of the public—to curb dietary excesses and fight chronic diseases. After identifying principles and goals to guide the materials’ development, PCRM’s director of nutrition education Susan Levin, M.S., R.D., and other PCRM experts examined the Institute of Medicine and World Health Organization reports on dietary intake and identified the most healthful sources of nutrients. The team concluded that the new food diagram should focus on grains, vegetables, fruits, and beans. These foods are nutrient-rich, free of cholesterol and animal fats, and can aid in preventing heart disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and other chronic diseases plaguing Americans. PCRM’s nutrition experts excluded meat, dairy products, and eggs since they are unnecessary and present serious health risks.

Thinking Outside the Pyramid Historically, food diagrams have used shapes that have no connection to food. But several leading health organizations, including the American Institute for Cancer Research and the American Diabetes Asso-ciation, use plate images to communicate nutrition information with more literal meaning. To determine what shape would be best for PCRM’s diagram, the team developed and tested four versions: a triangular shape similar to MyPyramid, a square, a styl-ized plate, and a simple plate. These were evaluated by

children and adults using an anonymous online survey. The plate-shaped diagram had a higher aesthetic rating, compared with square and triangular diagrams. It also had a high rate of content recall. PCRM’s new diagram presents the basics of a menu for optimal health through the concrete image of a plate. The Power Plate eliminates portion suggestions and food hierarchies and simply recommends a variety from all four groups. The graphic can translate into grain-based meals, as might be familiar in Asian cuisine, legume-based meals for Latin American tastes, or meals

1977: The Senate Select Committee on Nutrition and Hu-man Needs issues the Dietary Goals for the United States. The goals address intake of protein, carbohydrate, fat, fatty acids, cholesterol, sugars, and sodium—but they do not translate into food plans or guides.

1979: The USDA’s new Hassle-Free Guide to a Better Diet adds a fifth food group to the Basic Four: fats, sweets, and alcohol.

1980: The USDA releases the first Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which have been revised every five years since then.

1991: PCRM calls on the federal government to replace the Basic Four with the New Four Food Groups: grains, legumes, vegetables, and fruits. Meats and dairy products were considered no more than optional—and best avoided altogether.

Take the Power Plate for a Spin

learn more about the power plate on pCrm’s new interactive Web site,

ThePowerPlate.org. this colorful site is geared toward consumers and also includes sections for educators and health care professionals. it provides puzzles, coloring pages, and a quiz for kids and a free, printable power plate poster. See the plate in action: ThePowerPlate.org.

“the USda’s dietary guidance materials are written for healthy americans, but most americans are not healthy. more than two-thirds of adults are overweight or obese, and heart disease and type 2 diabetes are increasingly showing up in children. the USda should be encouraging a plant-based diet, which is associated with the best over-all health and excellent weight control.” Susan levin, m.S., r.d. pCrm director of nutrition Education


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1991: The USDA quickly withdraws the Eating Right Pyramid due to objections from the meat industry.

based on vegetables and fruits for Mediterranean flavors, and easily accommodates macrobiotic or raw-food diets. Foods that are not depicted (e.g., meats, dairy products, and nuts) are considered strictly optional (and some are best avoided altogether).

The USDA is set to release its new Dietary Guidelines for Americans this year. As the department deliberates over the new guidelines, PCRM hopes the Power Plate will help Americans understand the basics of a healthful diet.

1991: The USDA unveils the Eating Right Pyramid, emphasizing grains, fruits, and vegetables and reducing emphasis on meat and dairy products.

1992: The Food Guide Pyramid is introduced, almost identical to its predecessor. It encourages consumption of grains, veg-etables, and fruits, but still recommends two to three servings each day from the dairy group and another two to three from the meat group.

2005: The USDA releases the current USDA food diagram, MyPyramid. This new ver-sion provides no nutrition guidance at all until users connect to the Internet.

2010: PCRM introduces The Power Plate, aiming to depict food groups that fit scientific evidence in a format that is easy for consumers to understand and use.

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Complete Nutrition Protein

it was once thought that plant-based diets could provide adequate protein

only if specific foods, such as grains and beans, were consumed together, a concept known as “protein complement-ing.” it is now known that a diet based on grains, vegetables, fruits, and legumes provides all the essential amino acids needed to produce complete protein, even without special combining.

MineralsCalcium, iron, and other minerals are es-pecially abundant in legumes and green leafy vegetables, or “beans and greens.”

Vitamin B12Vitamin b12 is not found in most plant foods. For individuals following a diet free of all animal products, vitamin b12 needs can easily be met through fortified foods, including many breakfast

cereals, some meat substitute products, and fortified soymilk. most common multivitamins also contain b12. Seaweed and products like tempeh are generally not reliable sources of vitamin b12. regular intake of vitamin b12 is important to meet nutritional needs. the recommended dietary allowance for adults is 2.4 micrograms per day, with increased requirements for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Plant-Powered Athletes

Step up to the plate. that’s what prince Fielder, milwaukee brewers’

power-hitting first baseman, did before winning major league baseball’s Home run derby last year. He stepped up to the plant-based power plate—and skipped the meat. many athletes have transitioned to a vegan diet and now credit their strength and endurance to this healthful source of energy. Ultramarathon champion Scott Jurek fuels his body on a completely vegan diet while competing in 10 to 12 ultramarathons per year. all seven of his consecutive wins

at the Western States 100 mile Endurance run were per-formed on vegan fuel. Four-time nba champion John Salley, Canadian icy hockey player George laraque, ironman triathlete brendan brazier, and Carl lewis, the track and field star who won 10 olympic medals, are on the growing list of plant-fueled athletes. a vegan diet provides the high-carbohydrate content balanced with the protein and fat the body needs for train-ing sessions and competition. a variety of wholesome grains, vegetables, legumes, and fruits create the optimal diet to per-form, recover, and perform again.

ONLINE > take action: Submit comments about the USda’s dietary guidance materials at DietaryGuidelines.gov.

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Introducing the Healthy School Meals Act of 2010

Millions of children could soon have access to nutri-tious vegetarian school lunches if Congress passes

a bill introduced this March. The Healthy School Meals Act of 2010, introduced by Rep. Jared Polis, D-Colo., would create a pilot pro-gram to provide select schools with plant-based vegetar-ian options and healthful nondairy beverages. The bill would also reward school districts with additional food aid if they offer most students nondairy vegetarian food choices every day. For years, PCRM doctors and dietitians have en-couraged lawmakers to make changes to child nutri-tion legislation to support healthful vegetarian foods. Now PCRM is playing a major role in supporting this measure, which would put vegetarian meal options and nondairy beverage choices into school cafeterias. The bill has been introduced as Congress considers the reauthorization of the Child Nutrition Act, which lays the groundwork for school meals and other food assistance programs. “One in three children is now overweight,” says PCRM dietitian Kathryn Strong, M.S., R.D. “One in five teens has an abnormal cholesterol level. If children never have an option other than the usual meat-and-dairy-based meals, those figures are not likely to change.” One federal study showed that 70 percent of schools serve meals that exceed recommended levels of saturated fat. PCRM nutrition experts are meeting with Members of Congress and other school nutrition stakeholders to explain how the Healthy School Meals Act could fight childhood obesity and improve children’s overall health. If the law passes, the U.S. Department of Agriculture

would follow the pilot program by making plant-based vegetarian options and nondairy beverage choices avail-able to schools through the commodity program. It would also provide training materials on the nutritional benefits of these foods. Students would no longer have to provide a doctor’s note to choose a milk alternative.

nutritionCmE.orgA Web Site for Health Care Professionals

nutritionCmE is an online, evidence-based nutrition resource featuring free continuing medical education (CmE) credits and continuing education units (CEU) for physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, dietitians, and physician assistants.

Sponsored by the physicians Committee for responsible medicine and the George Washington University.

a resource for

21st Century medicine

Veggie BurgerCalories: 220Protein: 19 gTotal fat: 5 g

Saturated fat: 0 gFiber: 5 g

Cholesterol: 0 mg

HamburgerCalories: 301Protein: 19 g

Total fat: 15 g Saturated fat: 5 g

Fiber: 2 gCholesterol: 26 mg

Simple Choice, Big DifferenceGive our children the option

Rep. Jared Polis, D-Colo. PCRM dietitian Kathryn Strong, M.S., R.D.


ONLINE > Urgent: please ask Congress to support the Healthy School meals act of 2010. Go to HealthySchoolLunches.org.

ONLINE > become a fan of the pCrm School lunch revolution on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PCRMSchoolLunchRevolution.

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Ginnifer Goodwin Has Big Love for Vegan Kickstart

Dr. Barnard Helps ‘Viewers Like You’ Fight Diabetes

Millions of Public Broadcasting Service viewers learned about a new approach to controlling

diabetes this March. PCRM president Neal Barnard, M.D., traveled to PBS stations everywhere from Pitts-burgh and Miami to Des Moines, Iowa, and Bowling Green, Ohio, to inform Americans that a low-fat vegan

diet can help manage and even reverse type 2 diabetes. The 60-minute program, titled “Taking Control of Diabetes with Dr. Neal Barnard,” is aimed at people with diabetes and those at risk of developing the disease. Dr. Barnard presented the program live in 10 cities, and hundreds of other PBS stations nationwide aired it, reaching approximately 80 percent of the PBS market. Dr. Barnard explained his three-part system for taking control of diabetes through a diet that is vegan, low in fat, and composed of foods with a low glycemic index. The plant-based approach is based on a landmark study funded by the National Institutes of Health and published in Diabetes Care, the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, and the Journal of the American Dietetic Association. Rather than compensate for mal-functioning insulin, as other treatments do, the diet appears to help people’s own insulin work better by altering what goes on inside cells. It also leads to weight loss, better control of cholesterol and blood pressure, and better overall health. Just two weeks before Dr. Barnard’s PBS tour, a gov-ernment report surfaced about the dangers of Avandia, a common diabetes drug. The report found that in just three months in 2009, more than 300 deaths were linked to the oral medication. Dr. Barnard explained to PBS viewers that a vegan diet can effectively treat diabetes and has only positive side effects.

PCRM’s online 21-Day Vegan Kickstart has caught the eye of a growing number of health-conscious

celebrities, including Ginnifer Goodwin of HBO’s Big Love series. Goodwin was a leader of the 21-Day Vegan Kickstart program in March. Also joining the Kickstart leader-ship in March were Persia White of the television show Girlfriends; Alexandra Jamieson, author of Living Vegan for Dummies and The Great American Detox Diet; and Joey Kern of Super Troopers fame. They shared recipes, as well as provided practical advice and inspiration for exploring a vegan diet. The March Kickstart also included an all-new 21-day meal plan, live weekly chats with Marilu Henner, and an exclusive Doctors’ Forum teleconference featuring Hans Diehl, Dr.H.Sc., M.P.H., author of Health Power and Dynamic Living and founder of the Coronary Health Improvement Project. Nearly 30,000 people joined the New Year’s Kickstart, and more than 20,000 joined the March program.

ONLINE > For a complete list of pCrm’s diabetes resources for patients and health professionals, visit PCRM.org/Diabetes.

ONLINE > invite your friends and family to sign up for the next Kickstart at 21DayKickstart.org.

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research issues

Congress Pushes Military to End Animal Use

A new bill introduced in the U.S. House of Repre-sentatives would require the military to institute

modern medical training methods in courses that cur-rently subject thousands of animals to stab wounds, burns, and other injuries. PCRM medical experts recently joined military physicians, medical simulation experts, and Rep. Bob Filner, D-Calif., on Capitol Hill to explain why the military should replace live animals in its medical training courses with ethical and educa-tionally superior human-based methods. At February’s briefing, Rep. Filner, chair of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, discussed his efforts to modernize military training by introducing the Battlefield Excellence through Superior Training (BEST) Practices Act. This bill, H.R. 4269, would end the Department of Defense’s use of animals in combat trauma and chemical casualty care training courses. Hope Ferdowsian, M.D., M.P.H., PCRM’s director of research policy, presented an overview of the military’s reliance on live animals for medical training. Lt. Col. William Morris, M.D. (ret.), chief of neurosurgery at MultiCare Health System, discussed his personal ex-periences with animal use in combat trauma training. Adam Levine, M.D., director of human simulation and director of residency training at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, and Martin Eason, M.D., director of the Center for Experiential Learning at the James H. Quillen College of Medicine, presented a hands-on medical simulation demonstration. The briefing was standing-room only.

Each year, the military’s trauma training courses subject more than 8,500 goats and pigs to severe injuries. In chemical casualty care courses, live vervet monkeys are given a toxic dose of the drug physostigmine, which can induce seizures, breathing difficulty, and death. “Caring for wounded troops under fire requires quick thinking, and there is no time to translate from animal-based training to lifesaving care for your human patient,” says Dr. Ferdowsian. “The BEST Practices Act ensures that the military’s medical training meets 21st-century standards.” The BEST Practices Act would require the military to use human-based medical simulators for chemical casualty care training to ensure that medical personnel receive effective training before deployment. The bill would also phase out the use of pigs and goats in combat trauma training courses. The BEST Practices Act currently has 27 congres-sional co-sponsors.

Rep. Bob Filner, D-Calif. Hope Ferdowsian, M.D., M.P.H. William Morris, M.D. Adam Levine, M.D. Martin Eason, M.D.

Sam DeMaria, M.D., demonstrates use of SimMan, a medical simulator.

ONLINE > ask your U.S. representative to co-sponsor H.r. 4269 at BetterMilitaryMedicine.org.

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Action Alert Contact the FDA About Animal Testing

Every day, thousands of animals are experi-mented on and killed to create and test drugs,

many of which will never help a sick human be-ing. That’s why PCRM and an international coali-tion of scientists, doctors, and animal-protection organizations filed the Mandatory Alternatives Petition with the U.S. Food and Drug Administra-tion. The petition asks the FDA to mandate the use of validated nonanimal testing methods, when those alternatives exist, to create safer drugs for American consumers. The FDA is currently reviewing the initiative. Dur-ing this time, we need you to contact the FDA and urge the agency to mandate the use of validated alternatives to animal tests. Please write to:

Margaret A. Hamburg, M.D., Commissioner U.S. Food and Drug Administration 5600 Fishers Lane Rockville, MD 20857

UPDATE: As of April 2010, more than 120,000 PCRM members and supporters have signed

petitions that have been sent to the FDA.

To learn more about the Mandatory Alternatives Petition, visit Alternatives-Petition.org. To sign PCRM’s online petition to the FDA, go to Support.PCRM.org/FDA_Petition.

Nonanimal Chemical Testing for a Safer Environment

Urging REACH Administrators to Reach Out

pCrm toxicologist Kristie Sullivan, m.p.H., traveled to Helsinki, Finland, in Febru-

ary to hold joint talks with the European Chemicals agency on how to reduce the use of animals in toxicity tests. the European Chemicals agency (ECHa) was set up to administer the 2006 European rEaCH legislation, which requires the registration and testing of industrial and consumer chemicals and prohibits animal

testing if other methods are available. pCrm has been working through its role as Secretariat of the international Council for ani-mal protection at oECd (iCapo) to ensure nonanimal test methods are accepted for generating information required under rEaCH. this visit was a chance to urge ECHa officials to reach out to american companies, who must also register their chemicals to market them in Europe, and american lawmakers to share their progress and expertise in reducing animal testing. pCrm hopes Congress will apply these lessons directly as lawmakers consider revisions to the toxic Substances Control act.

PCRM scientists are urging lawmakers to revise chemical legislation to protect humans and ani-

mals, and PCRM members can help. Congress is considering revisions to the Toxic Sub-stances Control Act (TSCA), the law that regulates industrial chemicals. The new framework could call for thousands of chemicals to be tested on animals. PCRM scientists are meeting with Members of Congress to explain the scientific, practical, and ethi-cal problems with continuing to rely on animal-based toxicity tests. “The best way for Congress to create a safer chemical market is to encourage a move to modern testing meth-ods,” says PCRM toxicologist Kristie Sullivan, M.P.H. “Animal-based testing methods are not just cruel; they are too slow to efficiently assess the huge number of chemicals that need to be tested. The TSCA revision must encourage strategies that avoid animal tests.” The existing TSCA inventory contains between 30,000 and 80,000 chemicals, according to the Envi-ronmental Protection Agency (EPA). Testing all of these

for even one kind of toxicity—such as reproductive toxicity—in animals could take more than a century. Sullivan recently submitted testimony to the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works and its Subcommittee on Superfund, Toxics, and Envi-ronmental Health. In her testimony, she recommended that TSCA revisions incorporate recommendations made by the National Research Council’s Toxicity Testing in the 21st Century: A Vision and a Strategy. The report, which the EPA commissioned, calls for the development of human-based in vitro cell and tissue tests instead of animal tests for chemical assessment. Learn more about TSCA and sign up to per-suade Congress to reform chemical testing at ReformToxicityTesting.org.

Kristie Sullivan, M.P.H.

ECHA headquarters

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PCRM Urges NASA Inspector General to Block Monkey Experiment

A proposed NASA-funded experiment will bombard squirrel monkeys with harmful ionizing radiation

to test the dangers of interplanetary travel, according to a government document recently uncovered by PCRM. PCRM physician John Pippin, M.D., F.A.C.C., and other PCRM experts obtained the research protocol through the Freedom of Information Act and conducted an in-depth analysis. In February, PCRM submitted a formal legal petition to NASA’s Office of the Inspector General demanding a full investigation of this $1.75 million experiment. “NASA’s monkey radiation experiments are pro-foundly cruel,” says Dr. Pippin. “They are also unscien-tific. That is, they will not give NASA the information it is looking for.” From the protocol, PCRM experts learned that the squirrel monkeys will be housed individually in steel cages. After bombarding the animals with radiation, researchers will test them for cognitive impairment. NASA has not used monkeys for radiobiology re-search since 1990, when government researchers ended four decades of radiation experiments on monkeys after concluding that monkey data did not translate to humans. The experiments were the basis of the 1987 movie Project X. Many researchers—including NASA scientists—now use high-tech, human-centered meth-ods of studying space radiation exposure.

Hard-Fought Victory for Animals at Medical College of Wisconsin

After years of outreach by PCRM and its mem-bers, the Medical College of Wisconsin finally

announced it has stopped using pigs in its first-year physiology course. Before using pigs, the labora-tory used dogs. Now, students will observe human patients and use computer simulation. The college first announced that it would pilot this human- and computer-based program after a February 2009 PCRM demonstration. The Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) used frogs, rats, and rabbits in other physiology laboratories as recently as January. But a school spokesperson says these small animal laboratories are under review and may not be offered next year. PCRM will urge MCW to complete the transition to nonanimal methods for all physiology teaching.

Bill Maher Calls on NASA to Drop Monkey Radiation Plan

talk show host bill maher has joined pCrm in urging naSa to

halt its plan to irradiate live squirrel monkeys. in January, maher wrote a letter to naSa administrator Charles F. bolden Jr. “years ago, naSa and the air Force sponsored extensive radiation research on monkeys,” maher wrote. “those experiments did not answer the important questions about human radiation exposures, and many experts doubt that this new experiment will do so either. there are better, more humane ways of understanding the potential dangers of interplanetary travel for humans.”

ONLINE > Join bill maher in asking naSa to halt this experiment at PCRM.org/NASA.

Second Nature book tour

pCrm ethologist and biologist Jonathan balcombe, ph.d., is on an international tour

making the case for animal intelligence and emotion. in his new book, Second Nature, dr. balcombe explains that animals, once viewed only as mindless automatons, actually have rich sensory experiences and emotional complexity. He spells out why the human-animal relationship needs a complete overhaul. dr. bal-combe’s tour began in march and will continue through the sum-mer. For tour dates and locations, go to PCRM.org/SecondNature.

ONLINE > learn more about alternatives to the use of animals in medical school curricula at PCRM.org/Resch.


research issues

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Another Canadian Trauma Training Course Goes Animal Free

Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, recently informed PCRM that it stopped using live pigs in

its trauma training program. The university will instead use the TraumaMan System simulator, which provides a more realistic, human-centered training experience. Like many of PCRM’s Advanced Trauma Life Sup-port (ATLS) victories, this one was achieved through a coordinated approach. While PCRM cardiologist John Pippin, M.D., F.A.C.C., was in discussions with

the university’s ATLS course director, PCRM attorney Mark Kennedy was pursuing access to the institution’s records through Ontario’s Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. This latest Canadian victory follows others in 2009. Last year, PCRM persuaded both Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and the University of Saskatchewan College of Medicine to stop using live pigs in their ATLS programs and exclusively use the TraumaMan System. Now, 95 percent of U.S. and Canadian facilities that provide ATLS training use human-patient simulators. But a handful of programs continue to use live animals.

Animals, Research, and Alternatives: Call for Abstracts

Fifty years after the development of the model to reduce, refine, and replace animals in research,

PCRM is bringing global experts together to discuss the progress that has been made—and the opportuni-ties that lie ahead. The “Animals, Research, and Alternatives: Measuring Progress 50 Years Later” conference will take place on Aug. 26 and 27, 2010, in Washington, D.C. The confer-ence is sponsored by PCRM and the George Washington University Medical Center, along with the Johns Hopkins University Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing, the Institute for In Vitro Sciences, and the Kennedy Institute of Ethics at Georgetown University. Attendees will discuss animal experimentation, changing cultural perspectives about the status of ani-mals in society, and new alternatives to animal research. Scientists, researchers, medical professionals, ethi-cists, students, policymakers, and government officials

are encouraged to join the conversation by submitting abstracts on alternatives to animal experimentation or ethical or scientific considerations regarding using animals in experiments. PLoS ONE has agreed to create a collection of those articles that (a) are accepted for presentation at the conference, and (b) pass the PLoS ONE editorial criteria. PLoS ONE is a large, peer-reviewed, online-only open access journal from the Public Library of Science. If an abstract is accepted by the conference, the author will receive instructions for making a full submission to PLoS ONE. Each paper must fit the scope of PLoS ONE and will be subject to all of the conference and PLoS ONE conditions for publication. The journal will peer review each article and render an accept/reject decision based on the merits of each individual article. The deadline for submission is May 15, 2010. If you are unsure whether your paper will fit the scope of the journal, please contact Leah Engel at [email protected]. For more information on PLoS ONE and for specific PLoS ONE guidelines, visit PLoSONE.org.

PCRM P H Y S I C I A N SC O M M I T T E E

F O RR E S P O N S I B L EM E D I C I N E

Sponsored by

ONLINE > learn how you can help end the use of animals in other trauma training programs at HumaneTraumaTraining.org.

ONLINE > Submit an abstract, register for the conference, and learn more at ResearchAlternatives.org.


Washington, D.C., Metro train ad

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University of Washington Allows Monkey to Starve

A male pig-tailed macaque housed at the University of Washington’s National Primate Research Center

died last year after losing a quarter of his body weight. A September 2009 U.S. Department of Agriculture report found that the animal had not been weighed in more than two months, twice as long as required by the university’s own protocols. The University of Washington’s (UW’s) primate center is one of eight federal primate centers in the nation. This is not the first time UW has come under scrutiny for its animal research centers. A UW primate-

breeding center near Spokane was closed in 1995 after five baboons died of cold-weather exposure or thirst. In 2005, three rooms in a UW facility reached 104 degrees Fahrenheit, kill-ing more than 500 mice. And in 2006, the university was put on probation after inspectors from the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care found “seri-ous deficiencies” in the facilities.

Chimpanzee Protection Gains Wide-Ranging Support

Lawmakers, physicians, scientists, journalists, stu-dents, and many others have joined the campaign

to pass the Great Ape Protection Act, which would end chimpanzee experimentation and release federally owned chimpanzees to sanctuaries. More than 140 members of Congress have signed on in support of the bill, H.R. 1326. PCRM experts continue to meet with Members of Congress who have not yet signed on. PCRM is also working to facilitate the introduction of a Senate companion bill. The cam-paign to save America’s chimpanzees has been covered in various media outlets. “Most people don’t realize that laboratories are al-lowed to confine chimpanzees for their entire lives in cages about the size of a kitchen table,” said PCRM’s director of research policy Hope Ferdowsian, M.D., M.P.H. “Beyond the cruelty of the experiments, chim-panzees living in laboratories are denied the social contact they need. They can become depressed, and some even severely mutilate themselves.”

Foxie lived in a laboratory for decades. She had five babies—all were taken from her as infants. The United States is the last industrialized nation still using chimpanzees in invasive experiments. The Great Ape Protection Act would protect chimpanzees from inhumane research and release more than 500 to sanctuaries.

They stole her childrenSupport the Great Ape Protection Act (H.R. 1326)

ONLINE > Join the campaign to end chimpanzee experimentation. take action at PCRM.org/GAPA.

Pig-tailed macaque

CHimpanZEE SanCtUary nortHWESt

make a Chimp Smile

one of the most dedicated supporters of H.r. 1326 is also one of the youngest. nine-year-old bran-don Wood of Kissimmee, Fla., recently learned about chimpanzees and the problems with using

them for experiments or entertainment. He started his own campaign, make a Chimp Smile, to raise money for chimpanzees in sanctuaries and to urge Congress to pass the Great ape protection act.

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the Cancer project Updatethe Cancer project

Cancer Project Names Worst ‘Gourmet’ Burgers

Fast-food chains are trying to lure in customers with “gourmet” burgers.

With a staggering 1,140 calories and more saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium than anyone should eat in an entire day, Wendy’s Bacon Deluxe Triple Burger topped The Cancer Project’s list of the five most unhealthful gourmet burgers sold by fast-food chains. Cancer Project nutrition experts ana-lyzed premium burgers from Burger King, Carl’s Jr., Jack in the Box, McDonald’s, and Wendy’s, finding that all are high in calo-ries and fat, and many contain ingredients


New Instructors, New Opportunities

Twenty-three new instructors have joined The Cancer Project in the last

six months, extending the organization’s reach to five more states: Alabama, Min-nesota, Mississippi, New Mexico, and Wisconsin. Not only will the important message of good nutrition spread across the United States, but also it will cross the Atlantic to reach a new population in the United Kingdom.

‘Veggie Hunter’ PSA Tops the Charts

The Cancer Project’s humorous new “Veggie Hunter” public service

announcement ranked in the top 6 per-cent of all TV PSAs airing nationwide, according to Nielson ratings. You can view it here: CancerProject.org/Media.

Join the New Online Forums

(e.g., bacon and high-fat dairy products) that are associated with cancer risk.

The five worst gourmet burgers are:

Teaching Youth Food for Life

The best way to prevent cancer and other obesity-related diseases is to es-

tablish good eating habits early in life. The Cancer Project has started a pilot cooking and nutrition program for youth, starting with a Washington, D.C., charter school through the Knowledge Is Power Program (KIPP). KIPP is a network of free, open-

ONLINE > to see the latest class offerings in your area, visit CancerProject.org/Classes.

enrollment, college-preparatory public schools that aim to prepare students in un-derserved communities for success in col-lege and in life. The Cancer Project hopes the knowledge shared with the nearly 40 ninth-grade students at KIPP will help them make food choices to support their health. For more information about The Cancer Project’s youth program, e-mail [email protected].

Project’s mission, we have a forum for you, too. Register and join others from across the country (and soon from around the world!) to discuss the practical consider-ations of making a healthful plant-based diet a key part of your lifestyle. Go to CancerProject.org/Forum.

Rank Worst Gourmet Burger Fast-Food Restaurant

1 Bacon Deluxe Triple Wendy’s

2 The Guacamole Bacon Six Dollar Burger Carl’s Jr.

3 Steakhouse XT Burger Burger King

4 Sirloin Cheeseburger Jack in the Box

5 Angus Bacon and Cheese McDonald’s

The Cancer Project recently launched an Alumni Network online forum for

everyone who has attended Food for Life nutrition and cooking classes. The forum lets them stay connected with others and maintain the important recommended dietary changes. If you haven’t taken a class but are interested in The Cancer

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the news you need

www.CancerProject.orgThe Cancer Project is a nonprofit PCRM subsidiary that advances cancer prevention and survival through nutrition education and research.

By Joseph Gonzales, R.D., and Susan Levin, M.S., R.D.

could not rule out statistical chance as the reason for these results. People who consumed the most soy may have participated in other activities that could lower risk such as eating more fruits and vegetables. Soy foods in this study included miso soup, soymilk, a variety of tofu dishes, and fermented soybeans.Shu XO, Zheng Y, Cai H, et al. Soy food intake and breast cancer survival. JAMA. 2009;302:2437-2443.

Shimazu T, Inoue M, Sasazuki S, et al. Isoflavone intake and risk of lung cancer: a prospective cohort study in Japan. Am J Clin Nutr. Published ahead of print January 13, 2010. doi:10.3945/ajcn.2009.28161.

Smoking and meat Consumption linked to leukemia

Meat consumption and cigarette smoking sig-nificantly increase the risk of acute myeloid

leukemia (AML), according to new findings from the National Institutes of Health-AARP Diet and Health Study. AML, a cancer that starts in the bone marrow, is the most common acute leukemia affecting adults. Researchers looked at nearly 500,000 participants and found that those who ate the most meat had an increased risk of AML, compared with those who ate less meat. They also found that former and current smokers had an increased risk, compared with those who never smoked. Participants who drank coffee had a lower risk of AML. Ma X, Park Y, Mayne ST, et al. Diet, lifestyle, and acute myeloid leukemia in the NIH-AARP cohort. Am J Epidemiol. 2010;171:312-322.


the Cancer project

alcohol and red meat: precursors to prostate and Colon Cancer

Alcohol and red meat increase the risk of prostate and colon cancer, respectively, in people with a certain

genetic variant, according to a new study. As part of the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC)-Norfolk study, researchers examined genes, diet, and lifestyle factors related to colorectal, breast, and prostate cancers. They found that people with the variant gene had a decreased ability to repair DNA when they consumed red meat, processed meat, and alcohol. This put the group at a higher risk for developing cancer. Higher antioxidant intake, specifi-cally vitamin E and caratenoids, showed a protective effect for cancer risk in those with the genetic variant.Loh YH, Mitrou PN, Bowman R, et al. MGMT Ile 143Val polymorphism, dietary factors and the risk of breast, colorectal and prostate cancer in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC)-Norfolk study. DNA Repair. Published ahead of print January 20, 2010. doi:10.1016/j.dnarep.2010.01.002.

Soy Fights breast and lung Cancers

Soy consumption improves breast cancer survival and helps prevent lung cancer, according to two

new publications. In a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association, researchers found that women diagnosed with breast cancer who consumed soy products had a 32 percent lower risk of recurrence and a 29 percent decreased risk of death, compared with women who consumed little or no soy. The report included 5,042 women in the Shanghai Breast Cancer Survival Study, the largest population-based study of breast cancer survival, and followed them for a four-year period. Researchers in the Japan Public Health Center-based Prospective Study found that soy consumption may also help fight lung cancer. They looked at 76,661 partici-pants and found that those who consumed the most soy had the lowest risk of lung cancer. Among men who never smoked, researchers saw a significantly lower risk of lung cancer in those who consumed the most soy, compared with those who consumed the least. Research-ers saw similar results in nonsmoking women, but they

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18 GOOD MEDICINE Spring 201018 GOOD MEDICINE Spring 2010

Learn More About PCRM’s Lifetime Partner Program and Planned Giving Opportunities at PCRM.PlanYourLegacy.org.

Please send me PCRM’s planned giving brochure “Wise Giving to Ensure a Compassionate Future.”

I have already named PCRM in my will, trust, life insurance policy, or retirement plan. Please contact me to activate my Lifetime Partner status.

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Zip/poStal CodE CoUntry

E-mail pHonE

please mail to: pCrm, attn: betsy Wason • 5100 Wisconsin ave., nW, Suite 400 • Washington, dC 20016

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This year marks PCRM’s 25th anni-versary, and we are grateful to all our

members for their support over the years. Because PCRM’s membership spans the United States and beyond, we have many ways to help members stay con-nected with our campaigns and pro-grams. We hope you’re taking advantage of them all:

• PCRM’s Online Community: Get up-to-the-minute news with our monthly e-newsletter, action alerts, special events notifications, Breaking Medical News, and

much more! To sign up or manage your preferences, go to PCRM.org/Community.

• Good Medicine Magazine: PCRM’s quarterly magazine covers the broad scope of our efforts, all in one place! Health and ethical research articles, along with news from our campaign staff, make this a fantastic benefit for members who make an annual contribu-tion of $20 or more.

• Conference Call Updates: PCRM’s unique calls provide our membership

with direct access to PCRM’s presi-dent, special guest presenters, and key campaign staff. It’s simple (and free) to participate in these calls, which are scheduled throughout the year. Invita-tions are sent via e-mail.

• Events: In addition to our 25th anniversary gala we are planning many smaller events this year, ranging from intimate get-togethers to large-scale lectures. For more information, go to PCRM.org/Events. If you are interested in helping PCRM set up a member event in your city, please contact our membership assistant at 202-527-7304.

And if you ever want to know more, just call! We always want to hear from you.

Betsy Wason, C.F.R.E. Director of Development

Most of us want to be sure that our work for a more compassionate

world carries on well into the future. A simple bequest provision can make that happen. Investment accounts and tangible property, such as real estate and artwork, can be identified in a will and designated to benefit a particular person or organiza-tion. Many people are now creating wills at a younger age, and it’s never too early if you have assets to pass along. PCRM recommends working with an attorney specializing in wills. The cost for creating a basic will is very reasonable, and the re-sulting peace of mind is invaluable. Every five years, you should evaluate your will and make updates as needed. Members who include PCRM in their wills are part of our special group of Life-time Partners. To learn more about our Lifetime Partner program and about creat-ing a will, visit PCRM.PlanYourLegacy.org or return the form on the left.

Creating a Compassionate Future

Get Connected

Spring 2010 GOOD MEDICINE 19 Spring 2010 GOOD MEDICINE 19

member Support

PCRM Credit Card

We’re excited to announce a brand new way that you can support

PCRM. When you apply for and use our new FREE Platinum Visa Rewards Card, the bank will donate $50 and a percentage of all your future purchases on the card to PCRM. Call 202-527-7304 to request an application, or learn more and apply at CardPartner.com/App/PCRM.

On March 20, Nanci Alexander hosted a very special night for PCRM in

her Fort Lauderdale restaurant, Sublime. For the third year in a row, she hosted a Bon Voyage Party on the eve of the Holistic Holiday at Sea Cruise to benefit PCRM. Guests included PCRM president Neal Barnard, M.D., PCRM director of government affairs Elizabeth Kucinich, PCRM legislative director Sen. Chip Rogers, actress Marilu Henner, and vegan chef Christina Pirello. The event was an opportunity for PCRM to introduce its legislative powerhouse and discuss its Capitol Hill efforts. After the event, guests stayed to savor a Sublime gourmet dinner.

American Airlines Business ExtrAA

Whenever you fly on American Airlines, you can help PCRM at

the same time. Simply provide PCRM’s Business ExtrAA number 789977 when you make a reservation on American Airlines. Your flight will help PCRM accumulate points for free flights, which PCRM staff will use when traveling to

speaking engagements, medical confer-ences, and grassroots campaign activi-ties. You will still earn personal frequent flyer points, and the price of your ticket won’t be affected. It’s an easy way to help PCRM stretch its travel budget as we promote ethical research and lifesaving nutrition.

Sublime Event

ONLINE > View the event photo gallery at PCRM.org/Events.

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pCrm marketplacepCrm marketplace

RESEARCH ISSUES

What Will We Do if We Don’t Experiment on Animals?Medical Research for the 21st CenturyC. Ray Greek, M.D., and Jean Swingle Greek, D.V.M. The Greeks answer the title’s question with a tour of truly modern medical research. With advances in the study of human genetics and the ability to measure human responses to drugs at the molecular level, researchers will find it increasingly difficult to justify the crude data accu-mulated from animal experimentation. 262 pgs, $24.99

Pleasurable KingdomAnimals and the Nature of Feeling GoodJonathan Balcombe, Ph.D.Life as experienced by animals is not a grim struggle for survival, according to animal behavior researcher Balcombe. He presents persuasive evidence that animals—like humans—find enjoyment in touch, food, aesthetics, companionship, anticipation, and more. Full of insight and humor, the book poses vital ethical questions. 360 pgs, $14.95

HEALTH ANd NUTRITION

Nutrition Guide for Clinicians, second edition

Physicians Committee for Responsible MedicineThis comprehensive medical refer-ence manual covers nearly 100 diseases and conditions, including risk factors, diagnoses, and typical treatments. Most importantly, it provides the latest evidence-based information on nutrition’s role in prevention and treatment. Includes an in-depth examination of general nutrition, macronutrients, micronutrients, and nutritional requirements for all stages of life. 745 pgs, $19.95 Special Discount $17.95

NEW EDITIoN FRoM PCRM

The Best in the WorldFast, Healthful Recipes from Exclusive and Out-of-the-Way RestaurantsNeal D. Barnard, M.D., EditorThis popular collection of wonder-fully healthy recipes comes from the world’s best and most unusual restaurants. Enjoy these vegan delicacies at home. Hardcover, 71 pgs, $11.95

The Best in the World iiHealthful Recipes from Exclusive and Out-of-the-Way RestaurantsJennifer L. Keller, R.D., EditorTravel around the world to discover treasures from side-street cafes and elegant hotel dining rooms. Attractively illustrated, this delight-ful vegan cookbook is the sequel to PCRM’s original international recipe collection. Hardcover, 71 pgs, $11.95

“Best in the World” Matched Set OfferGet both beautiful volumes for $18

Quantum Wellness A Practical and Spiritual Guide to Health and HappinessKathy Freston Learn how to make the small steps that can significantly improve the health of mind, body, and spirit. In addition to promoting wholeness in work and relationships, Freston explains the advantages of a plant-based diet from health, ethical, and environmental perspectives. Includes 45 veg-etarian recipes, two weeks of meal plans, and a general shopping list. 288 pgs, $14.95

Skinny BitchA No-Nonsense, Tough Love Guide for Savvy Girls Who Want to Stop Eating Crap and Start Looking Fabulous!Rory Freedman and Kim Barnouin This bestselling vegan guide pulls no punches. Entertain-ing and sassy, the book rests on a solid health and nutrition foundation. “Many priceless-yet-unprintable dictums certainly make you laugh in a way few diet books can.” –iVillage 224 pgs, $13.95

Macro for the Mainstream DVDSheri DeMarisTV host Sheri DeMaris believes “your kitchen is your medicine cabinet.” In this exciting DVD, she prepares easy-to-follow macrobiotic recipes using whole, organic foods and offers simple suggestions for improving one’s health and the health of our planet. $24.95

How to Eat Like a vegetarian Even if You Never Want to Be OneCarol J. Adams and Patti BreitmanOut of time and out of ideas? Cook fast, cook healthy with more than 250 shortcuts, strategies, and simple solu-tions. More than a cookbook—though it abounds with recipes—this guide will get you started on a healthier path with a few flips of the page. 214 pgs, $20.00

Skinny Bitch in the KitchKick-Ass Recipes for Hungry Girls Who Want to Stop Cooking Crap (and Start Looking Hot!)Here’s the companion cookbook to the outrageous bestseller Skinny Bitch. 75 easy, satisfying recipes, served up with an irreverent sense of fun. “A hilariously bawdy vegan cookbook for the modern Mrs. Cleaver.” –Domino 192 pgs, $14.95

Prisoned Chickens, Poisoned Eggs Revised EditionAn Inside Look at the Modern Poultry IndustryKaren Davis, Ph.D.In this newly revised edition, Davis again looks at the horrific conditions chickens endure at the hands of the poultry industry—in spite of free-range and cage-free claims—and at the heightened risks consumers face from avian influenza, food poisoning, global warming, and effects of genetically engineered animals. 224 pgs, $14.95


Speed veganQuick, Easy Recipes with a Gourmet TwistAlan Roettinger Chef Roettinger’s fun and creative cooking style results in meals that stand out from the ordinary. Includes recommendations for basic kitchen staples and ways to save money on essential kitchen equipment. All dishes can be completed in 30 minutes or less. 192 pgs, $19.95

NEW!

The Spectrum A Scientifically Proven Program to Feel Better, Live Longer, Lose Weight, and Gain HealthDean Ornish, M.D.Whether you want to lose weight, lower your cholesterol, reverse a major disease, or find a sustainable, joyful way of life, this book can make a powerful difference. Dr. Ornish’s latest research shows how changing your lifestyle changes your genes, turning on disease-preventing genes while turning off disease-promoting genes—even affecting parts of chromosomes that control lifespan. Includes 100 recipes. 416 pgs, $17.00

NEW!

Thrive FitnessThe Vegan-Based Training Program for Maximum Strength, Health, and FitnessBrendan BrazierProfessional Ironman triathlete Brendan Brazier presents his own easy-to-apply system of total health and fitness. Learn how to get maximum results in minimum time, sharpen mental clarity, increase energy, and prevent injuries. Includes 6-week workout plan and list of 15 top foods to fuel workouts, as well as 30 vegan recipes. 272 pgs, $15.95

NEW!


The Nutrition Rainbow PosterThe more naturally colorful your meal is, the more likely it is to have an abundance of cancer-fighting nutrients. Pigments that give fruits and vegetables their bright colors represent a variety of protective compounds. The Nutrition Rainbow poster shows the cancer-fighting and immune-boosting power of different-hued foods. 17”x22”, $6.00

Prescription for Life PosterThis whimsical work of art introduces your patients to the importance of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and beans in cancer prevention and survival. It also tells how to obtain free information about nutrition, recipes, and classes from The Cancer Project. 17”x22”, $6.00

The Cancer Survivor’s GuideNeal Barnard, M.D., Jennifer Reilly, R.D.Find out how foods fight cancer and the advantages of a high-fiber, low-fat, dairy- and meat-free diet. Includes updates from the latest research, special prostate and breast cancer sec-tions, tips for making the dietary transition, and more than 130 recipes. 245 pgs, $19.95

Eating Right for Cancer Survival dvd

Neal Barnard, M.D., Chef Sualua Tupolo, Stephanie Beine, R.D.This exciting 2-disc set is designed to work hand in hand with the companion book, The Cancer Survivor’s Guide. Nine nutrition presentations and nine cook-ing lessons provide powerful tools for making changes in health and well-being. 270 mins, $19.95

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From The Cancer Project

New VersioNs

The Sublime Restaurant CookbookSouth Florida’s Ultimate Destination for Vegan Cuisine

Nanci AlexanderThe flavors and beauty of south Florida’s award-winning Sublime Restaurant are compiled here with some of Sublime’s most famed culi-nary creations. From Asian, Latin, or

Mediterranean influences to more typical American fare, each recipe is delightfully conceived, beautifully presented, and yet surprisingly quick to prepare. 117 pgs, $19.95


From Neal D. Barnard, M.D., PCRM president

Dr. Neal Barnard’s Program for Reversing Diabetes

If you have diabetes or are concerned about developing it, this program could change the course of your life. Dr. Barnard’s groundbreaking clinical studies, the latest funded by the National Institutes of Health, show that diabetes responds dramatically to a low-fat, vegetarian diet. Rather than just compensating for malfunctioning insulin like other treatment plans, Dr. Barnard’s program helps repair how the body uses insulin. Includes 50 delicious recipes. 288 pgs, $15.95

Foods That Fight PainDid you know that ginger can prevent migraines and that coffee sometimes cures them? Drawing on new research, Dr. Barnard shows readers how to soothe ev-eryday ailments and cure chronic pain with common foods. 348 pgs, $14.95

A Physician’s Slimming Guide for Permanent Weight ControlYou can succeed in becoming and staying slimmer! This book is not a diet—it’s a comprehensive program that takes the reader beyond artificial “formula ap-proaches.” 96 pgs, $7.95

Breaking the Food SeductionWe all have foods we can’t resist, foods that sabotage our health. But banishing those cravings for chocolate, cookies, cheese, or burg-ers isn’t a question of willpower, it’s a matter of biochemistry. Drawing on his own research and that of other leading institutions, Dr. Barnard reveals how diet and lifestyle changes can break the craving cycle. 324 pgs, $16.99

Turn Off the Fat GenesGenes, including those that shape our bodies, actu-ally adapt to outside influences. Dr. Barnard explains the process and provides a three-week gene-control program complete with menus and recipes by Jen-nifer Raymond. Here are powerful tools for achieving long-term weight loss and better health. Paperback, 350 pgs, $14.95

Food for LifeThe breakthrough book on aging, heart disease, cancer, weight con-trol, and general health. Preface by Dean Ornish, M.D. Loads of tips on changing your diet, 21 days of menus, plus delicious recipes by Jennifer Raymond. 334 pgs, $14.95

The Kind DietAlicia Silverstone, Introduction by Neal Barnard, M.D.Deliciously empowering, The Kind Diet opens the door to effortless weight loss, high energy, clear skin, and smooth digestion, all while pro-tecting the planet. Three separate dietary tracks—from Flirting to Superhero—help readers make the vegan transition at their own pace. Discover food that satisfies at every level. Hardcover, 320 pgs, $29.99

A New Approach to Nutrition for Diabetes DVDNeal D. Barnard, M.D.Turn back the clock on diabetes through a low-fat vegan diet. In eight compelling lessons, Dr. Barnard explains his groundbreaking research, funded by the National Institutes of Health, and how to put it to work in your life. Includes cooking demonstrations by chef Toni Fiore and a grocery store tour by Susan Levin, R.D., and Caroline Trapp, M.S.N., C.D.E. 192 mins, $19.95

Building Bone vitalityA Revolutionary Diet Plan to Prevent Bone Loss and Reverse Osteoporosis Amy Lanou Ph.D., Michael Castleman Bone vitality doesn’t come through dairy products, calcium pill, or drugs. Using the latest clinical studies, Dr. Lanou explores the calcium myth and explains why a low-acid diet is the only effective way to prevent bone loss. 256 pgs, $16.95

vegan Soul KitchenFresh, Healthy, and Creative African-American CuisineBryant TerryReinterpreting popular dishes from African and Caribbean countries as well as his favorite childhood dishes, chef Terry reinvents African-American and Southern cuisine, capitalizing on the complex flavors of the tradition without the animal products. Includes Black-Eyed Pea Fritters with Hot Pepper Sauce, Baked Sweet Potato Fries with Ginger-Peanut Dipping Sauce, and many more. 256 pgs, $18.95

The Love-Powered DietEating for Freedom, Health, and JoyVictoria MoranDrawing on her personal experience, Moran applies Twelve Step principles to find freedom from compulsive eating and yo-yo dieting. She proposes a peaceful, natural way of eating that keeps weight off without dieting. 241 pgs, $20.00

22 GOOD MEDICINE Winter 2006

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Go vegan Multilingual ApronVeg-friendly phrases in ten languages. 21"x 28" gourmet apron with pocket. Cream on forest green. $13.95

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Rabbit Refrigerator Magnet 2"x3½". $1.00

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Show your support for humane research with Humane Charity Seal of Approval items

Dog Magnetic Bumper Sticker $2.00

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Packed with Plant Power Lunch Tote BagShare your enthusiasm for a vegan diet with this insulated 8.5x6x6-inch lunch bag with zippered top, front pocket, and 32-inch shoulder strap, $9.95

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popular Vegetarian Starter Kit, are available without charge

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Power Plate Poster “These healthful food groups help you live longer, stay slimmer, and cut your risk of heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure. “ 18"x 24", $6.00

National Conference on Childhood Obesity DvDHear 13 top researchers speak out on the roles of nutrition and public policy in combating the epidemic. Recorded at the 2009 conference. 2 disks. 4 hrs, 20 mins. $19.95

Winter 2006 GOOD MEDICINE 23

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Just the Facts


A Side of Carbon EmissionsSwedish diners are now aware of the carbon footprint of their meals. New food labels include the green-house gas emissions used to produce the product. Meat production is a leading source of greenhouse gasses. Experts believe the labels could help reduce Sweden’s culinary carbon footprint by as much as 25 to 50 percent.

Butter Ban A leading London heart sur-geon has called for a ban on butter. Shyam Kolvekar, M.D., says a butter ban could save thousands of lives by reduc-ing saturated fat intake. He also advises people to eat less meat.

Ancient ArteriesCT scans of Egyptian mummies show evidence of heart dis-ease, which is usually thought of as a disease caused by the modern diet and sedentary lifestyles. High-status Egyptians ate a diet high in fatty meat from cattle, geese, and ducks.

French Women Do Get FatThe myth that French women stay slim forever has been exposed after new statistics revealed that 15 percent of French women are obese. The trend for ever-meatier di-ets, including more fast food, has not spared France.

Patent PendingWild spider monkeys have invented a new tool—a body scratcher that may release medicinal compounds. Sci-entists observed spider mon-keys using small sticks and branches to scratch them-selves. The monkeys chewed the tools’ tips between scratches, possibly to release medicinal compounds from the plants.

Big Win for AnimalsThe Swiss Supreme Court recently ruled against the Polytechnic School of the University of Zurich, whose researchers wanted to conduct two neurological experiments on macaques. The experiments would have involved the maximum suffering of animals on the Swiss scale of severity with no direct benefit for human health.

New Center Honors GandhiThe Mahatma Gandhi-Doerenkamp Centre for Alternatives to Animal Use in Life Science Education opened in October at Bharathidasan University in Tiruchirappalli, India. The open-ing marked the 140th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi’s birth and will promote humane science, blending the political and spiritual leader’s philosophy of nonviolence with life science education.

Vegetarian StrongmanJoe Rollino once lifted 635 pounds with one finger. He could bend quarters with his bare hands. Reputed to be the strongest man in the world, Joe was a lifelong veg-etarian. He finally died at age 104 after being struck by a minivan while walking in his Brooklyn neighborhood.

Caterpillar Meat?Some scientists are push-ing lawmakers to consider replacing beef with crickets and caterpillars to combat climate change. The Food and Agriculture Organiza-tion of the United Nations is expected to release policy guidelines later this year encouraging countries to include insects in their food security plans.

A Royal FeastThis past fall, England’s Windsor Castle threw a vegan feast for 200 dignitaries from around the world as part of the Celebra-tion of Faiths and the Environment. The royal banquet was hosted by the Duke of Edinburgh.

Smart ChicksScientists in Italy have observed that chicks only three or four days old can do simple arithmetic. With no training, chicks were able to keep track of object shifts representing math problems such as 4-2=2.

And Speaking of Spiders…A spider living in Central America and Mexico turns out to be a vegan. Named after an agile panther in Rud-yard Kipling’s 1894 children’s classic, The Jungle Book, Bagheera kiplingi jumping spiders must dodge armies of ants to get to their favorite food—the tips of acacia plants.


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physician profile

Peas vs. PillsNandita Shah, M.D.

Nandita Shah, M.D., asks her patients to listen to their

symptoms, which often provide clues to how the body can heal. She believes that the best way to keep the body healthy is to work with it rather than against it. “Take, for example, back pains,” says Dr. Shah. “The body produces pains to prevent us from making certain movements so that it can heal. If we take pain killers and continue to make all the movements, we end up with chronic backaches.” Dr. Shah works with her patients in Tamil Nadu, in southern India, and encourages them to adopt a health-ful plant-based diet and exercise to help fight disease and pain. “In India, eating animal products is relatively re-cent,” says Dr. Shah. “However, today, India is the largest producer of milk in the world, and the con-sumption of animal products has increased, especially in cities. Although there are many people who are still

vegetarian, most consume dairy products with every meal. The result is that they are not much healthier than meat-eaters and suffer from heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and obesity.” Dr. Shah conducts health workshops and cooking classes entitled “Peas vs. Pills” in India and abroad. She teaches partici-pants about the health benefits of a plant-based diet and in-cludes as many meals as possible in every course. “The goal is to show people that there’s a huge variety of foods to enjoy, and that the meals can be really tasty,” says Dr. Shah. “And,

of course, to let them observe how their bodies feel when they have eaten this way.” In December 2009, PCRM president Neal Barnard, M.D., went to India to conduct health seminars with Dr. Shah. In workshops in Bangalore and Mumbai, they shared findings from the latest research show-ing that a low-fat vegan diet can help many diabetes patients cut their blood sugars, improve their insulin sensitivity, and reduce, if not eliminate, their medica-tions. Dr. Shah presented cooking classes to demon-strate how to prepare healthful plant-based meals that can help fight disease.

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