Diet is the top risk factor for disability and premature death in America, yet physician accreditation standards don't even mention the word "nutrition" despite very specific requirements in other areas, including procedures.
"Nutrition is the low hanging fruit in medicine - a low cost intervention with untapped potential for optimizing health," says lead author of "A Deficiency of Nutrition Education in Medical Training." Dr. Stephen Devries.
It is estimated that at least one-third of the $315 billion spent annually in the United States on cardiovascular disease could be cut if Americans embraced modest dietary changes. Physicians need adequate training to effectively help counsel patients to make needed changes. The experts prescribe a requirement for nutrition education in all phases of medical training - with a focus on the link between food, lifestyle, and common disease. They also recommend considering nutrition as a pre-med requirement.

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