May 20, 2019, 1:23 PM ETConference Presentation, Panel, Fireside Chat

Food as Medicine

Shift in Paradigm: Health is an active state maintained by natural defense systems (angiogenesis, stem cells, microbiome, DNA repair, immune system) rather than merely the absence of disease.
Mechanism of Action: Specific foods can activate these defense systems to prevent or treat conditions including diabetes, heart disease, obesity, autoimmune disorders, dementia, and cancer.
Scope of Evidence: Over 200 distinct foods have been scientifically identified to improve circulation, activate stem cells, feed the microbiome, protect DNA, and bolster immunity.
Comparative Efficacy: Experiments indicate that certain foods (e.g., garlic, red grapes, soy) can produce angiogenesis-inhibiting effects comparable to pharmaceuticals like statins or anti-cancer drugs; red grapes showed potential activity similar to Tamoxifen.
Dosage Specifics: Clinical data suggests approximately 10 grams of soy daily (roughly one cup of soy milk) correlates with reduced breast cancer risk and better mortality outcomes in women.
Dietary Strategy: The focus must shift from "what to cut out" (restriction) to "what to add" (addition) to the diet, with no single "superfood" being sufficient; diversity is critical.

Dr. William Lee (Angiogenesis Foundation): Formerly focused on pharmaceutical development; pivoted to food as a preventative intervention to conserve resources for untreatable cases; emphasizes evidence-based nutrition over speculation.
Bono (Edge of U2): Motivated by his daughter's childhood leukemia diagnosis; joined the Angiogenesis Foundation to advocate for public education on angiogenesis and the potential of food-based healing.
Rep. Tim Ryan: Citing his role on the Appropriations Committee, he notes that 75% of healthcare costs are driven by preventable chronic diseases, arguing that "food as medicine" is an economic necessity for national competitiveness.
Policy Gap: Current medical education provides scant nutrition training for doctors, and regulatory frameworks (FDA) currently prevent food manufacturers from making specific medical health claims on labels.

Cost of Inaction: In 2016, the total cost of obesity and diet-related disease in the U.S. reached approximately $1.7 trillion ($481 billion direct, $1.24 trillion indirect).
Current Trajectory: Obesity rates are projected to affect at least 50% of the adult U.S. population by 2050, threatening the sustainability of the current "sick care" (treatment-focused) healthcare model.
Agricultural Consolidation: The U.S. food system is characterized by monopolistic behavior in seed and chemical sectors, leading to soil depletion, the creation of "food deserts," and the killing of 220,000 metric tons of fish annually in the Gulf of Mexico due to runoff.
Market Distortion: Taxpayer subsidies currently support unhealthy commodities (e.g., sugar, processed grains) while failing to incentivize high-quality, nutrient-dense food production.

National Institute for Nutrition: A legislative proposal to create a federal institute dedicated to leveraging food science, understanding the microbiome, and bridging gaps between government agencies.
School Infrastructure:
- Mandating a food coordinator in every school to optimize the use of existing per-student lunch funds ($1.12–$1.17) for fresh, local ingredients rather than processed heating.
- Establishing salad bars and "farm-to-table" gardens in all schools.
- Reinstating home economics curricula to teach food preparation and cooking skills.
Urban Agriculture: A national initiative to convert blighted urban areas in cities like Youngstown and Akron into robust urban farming zones to address food deserts, create jobs, and foster community.
Medical Education Reform: Funding nutrition education in medical schools to meet national standards, ensuring physicians can effectively counsel patients on dietary interventions.
Incentive Restructuring: Exploring tax codes that reward companies adopting "double/triple bottom lines" (profit + health/environment) and limiting marketing of unhealthy foods to children (e.g., banning cartoon characters on sugar products).
Political Strategy: Rep. Ryan has announced his 2020 presidential candidacy with a platform centering on "food as medicine" and industrial policy for health, education, and agriculture.

Biomarker Research: There is a critical need to discover and standardize "biomarkers for health" (e.g., cancer resistance levels) to allow individuals to monitor their health status and future risk via blood tests or wearables.
Data Utilization: Scientists suggest that valuable biomarkers are currently lost daily through waste (e.g., in toilet water); future technology could harness this data for home health monitoring.
Consumer Education: The movement relies on democratizing health information, combating disinformation, and using influencers (athletes, musicians) to shift cultural norms away from "processed food" toward "real food."
Trust Building: Experts emphasize that food is an addition to, not a replacement for, pharmaceutical medicine; the goal is to complete the medical "toolbox" with preventative nutrition.
Call to Action: Citizens are urged to engage locally by contacting representatives, organizing school food initiatives, and demanding legislation that supports a National Institute for Nutrition.