2019 International Plant-Based Nutrition Healthcare Conference Agenda*

DESCRIPTION:
A comprehensive review of the updated literature describing physiologic and biochemical evidence that highlights the impact of nutrition on human health, disease prevention and intervention. Further evidence from peer reviewed research will be presented highlighting the effect of growing conditions on food and human health as well as the sustainability of key resources such as soil, land, and water. Finally, data driven recommendations will be created to direct lifestyle medicine interventions to maximize the health of patients.

OBJECTIVES:
1. Appreciate the breadth of the impact of nutrition on every aspect of human physiology from the atomic level to the systemic.
2. Identify the optimal dietary pattern, based upon the most recent research, for the prevention, suspension and remission of non-communicable disease.
3. Describe the optimal food production systems that maximize the health benefits of food and create the greatest opportunity for sustainable, regenerative agricultural systems.

DESCRIPTION:
Based upon 30 years of research, Dr. Ornish will review the results from his clinical trials and supportive research that demonstrates the prevention, suspension, and remission of the most common lifestyle diseases including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, prostate cancer and dementia. Research from his Medicare approved program will document both individual patient case reports and longitudinal outcomes that support lifestyle interventions as an effective intervention for non-communicable diseases.

OBJECTIVES:
1. Describe the key features of a lifestyle medicine program.
2. Identify the physiologic changes associated with a dietary and lifestyle program and the impact on disease processes.
3. Summarize the core principles of behavior change and the elements of a successful intervention program.

DESCRIPTION:
As the founder of the Angiogenesis foundation, Dr. William Li is a world leader in the science of angiogenesis. In this lecture, he will review the most recent research on nutrition and angiogenesis including the key dietary components that abnormally activate the abnormal growth of blood vessels associated with diseases like cancer and obesity and the foods that prevent and suspend dysfunctional angiogenesis. He will conclude with a review of the research on food categories that optimize angiogenesis and most effectively contribute to physiologic health.

OBJECTIVES:
1. Define the molecular physiology involved with disease resistance
2. Describe systems biology interactions between dietary factors and physiological disease resistance
3. Present basic, clinical, and public health evidence supporting dietary intervention with improved health outcomes, including disease prevention and intervention
4. Identify emerging strategies for developing evidence on dietary health connections

DESCRIPTION:

An evolutionary mismatched lifestyle is the root cause of many chronic diseases, such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, hyperlipidemia and type 2 diabetes , which have reach epidemic proportions. In the US, it is estimated that we will spend over 3.5 trillion dollars on health care this year; the CDC estimates that at least at 80% will be spend on preventable disease. The treatment of prediabetes and diabetes alone, which now affects around 66% of the US population, will account for one in every 4 of those dollars.

However, despite clear evidence that lifestyle modification can prevent, treat and sometimes reverse these diseases, most of these chronic, lifestyle related diseases are treated primarily with pharmaceuticals. When patients adopt a healthier lifestyle, especially a whole-food plant-based diet, they will often see a dramatic improvement in their health in a short period of time. For patients on medications, this can lead to symptomatic hypoglycemia and relative hypotension. It is important to have an effective patient education, monitoring and “de-prescription” strategy in place to help patients make this transition in a safe, healthful way.

Objectives:
1) Understand why an unhealthy lifestyle is the root cause of many chronic diseases
2) Learn how a healthy lifestyle, in particular a whole-food plant based diet, can be used to prevent treat and sometimes reverse chronic disease.
3) Learn how to de-prescribe medications as patients transition to a healthier lifestyle.

DESCRIPTION:
The obesity epidemic has fueled the growth of bariatric medicine and gastric bypass surgeries. Dr. Davis is a nationally recognized bariatric surgeon and lifestyle medicine specialist. In this lecture, he will review the literature comparing lifestyle interventions to bariatric surgery and highlight the benefits of lifestyle interventions while identifying the short and long-term challenges of using lifestyle over surgery. Firmly rooted in research, Dr. Davis will provide data driven recommendations for practitioners.

OBJECTIVES:
1. Compare and contrast the short and long-term benefits of gastric bypass vs. diet and lifestyle intervention.
2. List risk factors for Gastric bypass surgery compared to lifestyle interventions.
3. Understand the balance between surgical solutions and lifestyle medicine interventions for patients with obesity.

DESCRIPTION:
Research has demonstrated epidemics of non-communicable diseases in pediatric populations that are directly related to lifestyle choices and environmental influences. Nutrition is a critical component for growing healthier children that are not susceptible to the growing burden of lifestyle related diseases, but it is rarely prescribed in healthcare offices. Dr. Busse, a practicing pediatrician, reviews the data on the most common diseases affecting children and the key nutritional and lifestyle linkages. Then utilizing research vetted solutions, she will help attendees understand the most effective nutritional strategies and tools to assist patients and their families with a lifestyle change.

OBJECTIVES:
1. Identify the diseases most related to nutrition and lifestyle choices.
2. Classify the most important dietary elements and lifestyle factors involved in disease progression and regression.
3. Understand the most effective methods to communicate with patients and their families around lifestyle changes and key resources to assist.

DESCRIPTION:
Cardiovascular disease is closely linked to dietary and lifestyle choices, and stress. Dr. Batiste, an interventional cardiologist, reviews the research demonstrating the impact of these factors on endothelial health and the development of atherosclerotic heart disease. Literature based recommendations will help attendees understand the importance and potential of a lifestyle solution for their patients.

OBJECTIVES:
1. Explain the linkage between nutrition, stress, and activity and the endothelium and either protection from or development of heart disease.
2. Stratify the most important lifestyle factors for heart health.
3. Understand the research describing the most effective nutritional and lifestyle solutions.

DESCRIPTION:
Dr.’s Sherzai will review their own novel research as well as the most current research that describes the associations between diet and dementia. They will demonstrate the genesis events in the development of dementia and data supported recommendations of the optimal lifestyle interventions to prevent and support dementia and other cognitive conditions.

OBJECTIVES:
1. Comprehend the biochemical and physiologic events that lead to the development of dementia.
2. Appreciate the multiple sites of interaction between nutrition and lifestyle factors and the brain.
3. Identify strategies to optimize brain function.

DESCRIPTION:
Dr. Barnard has authored hundreds of peer reviewed studies during his career. During this interactive interview, Dr. Barnard will highlight the most important findings of his research to date and describe the scientific interactions of nutrition and disease prevention or remission. Drawing from his vast knowledge of the most recent research, he will share his insights on the mechanisms of disease and the relationship to lifestyle and nutrition.

OBJECTIVES:
1. Appreciate the breadth of research on nutrition and the most common non-communicable diseases.
2. Describe the multiple mechanisms by which poor nutrition initiates disease.
3. Explain the benefits and physiologic changes that occur with proper nutrition.

DESCRIPTION:
Midland Health has successfully implemented numerous lifestyle medicine initiatives that are improving the health of the population in Midland, Texas.
This lecture will review the epidemiology of population health and the impact of lifestyle and the standard American diet on individual and population health and the challenges that this creates for community healthcare systems. Marcy Madrid, a vice president in charge of population health at Midland Health, will review the data driven strategies that Midland has implemented to identify and reach at risk populations with lifestyle solutions.

OBJECTIVES:
1. Review the impact of the westernized lifestyle and diet on population health.
2. Identify the key targets that can dramatically improve population health.
3. Describe the elements of a strategic plan and steps to initiate healthcare transformation that impacts local populations in need.

DESCRIPTION:
S. Stoll, A. Bellatti, M. Klaper, Laurie Marbas. A guided discussion and Q&A session focused on the application of plant-based nutrition in a clinical setting

OBJECTIVES:
1. Understand the different types of practice models and steps necessary to transition individual practices.
2. Develop a plan for implementation and modify individual clinical practices.
3. Answer the most common questions regarding the clinical practice of lifestyle medicine and implementation of practical, tested solutions that optimize patient care.