Diet and nutritionCivilization Diseases — Does What We Eat Determine What We Get Sick With?
- Ewa Dąbrowska — Schorzenia i świadectwa
- Ewa Dąbrowska — Leczenie zespołu X metabolicznego dietą warzywno – owocową
- Ewa Dąbrowska — Dieta warzywno owocowa
- Ewa Dąbrowska — Leczenie porfirii późnej skórnej dietą bardzo niskokaloryczną według własnego modelu
- Andrzej Frydrychowski — Czy mamy wpływ na powstawanie chorób cywilizacyjnych?
- Henryk Różański — Rozporządzenie (WE) NR 1924/2006 Parlamentu Europejskiego i Rady z dnia 20 grudnia 2006 r. w sprawie oświadczeń żywieniowych i zdrowotnych dotyczących żywności – znaczenie dla zielarstwa i ziołolecznictwa.
- Jerzy Jaśkowski — Przechytrzyć cukrzycę. Część 1
- Nathan S. Bryan — NUTRITION HEALTH MONTH - Dr. Nathan Bryan - Molecular medicine and nitric oxide biochemistry
- prof. David Ludwig — The Fallacy of the “EMPTY CALORIE”
- M. Williamson i N. Moustaid-Moussa i L. Gollahon — Frontiers | The Molecular Effects of Dietary Acid Load on Metabolic Disease (The Cellular PasaDoble: The Fast-Paced Dance of pH Regulation)
- Planetary Health Diet and risk of mortality and chronic diseases: Results from US NHANES, UK Biobank, and a meta-analysis. · Sci Adv 2025
- Managing malnutrition in COPD: A review. · Respir Med 2021
- The role of diet and nutrition in the management of COPD. · Eur Respir Rev 2023
- Prognostic impact of disease-related malnutrition. · Clin Nutr 2008
- Protein-energy wasting and nutritional supplementation in patients with end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis. · Clin Nutr 2017
- Creatine in Health and Disease. · Nutrients 2021
- Docosahexaenoic acid remodels lipid composition of lipid rafts and mitochondrial function in ApoE4/4 mouse brain: a multi-omic investigation. · Mol Biomed 2026
- Orthomolecular Medicine News Service — Key Differences Between Conventional Nutrition and Orthomolecular Nutrition: The Role of Dosing and Regulatory Challenges
- Orthomolecular Medicine News Service — The Miracles of High-Dose Orthomolecular Nutrition: A Tribute to Dr. Bruce Ames
- Orthomolecular Medicine News Service — An Integrative Orthomolecular Medicine (IOM) Approach to Reverse Type 2 Diabetes, Chronic Urinary Tract Infections, Renal Insufficiency, and Parkinsonism in a 94-Year-Old Patient: A Case Study
Ewa Dąbrowska presents a plant-based diet and fasting as ways to prevent many diseases and support their treatment.
- Ewa Dąbrowska describes improvements in people with diabetes and atherosclerosis, and, in one study, the disappearance of skin lesions and long-term remission of porphyria.
- Andrzej Frydrychowski and Nathan S. Bryan attribute very broad effects to nutrition, while Professor David Ludwig points out that focusing on nutrients alone has not resolved the chronic disease epidemic.
What the authors write
Regular fruit-and-vegetable fasting is said to prevent many chronic diseases, and people who are ill often experience improvement after changing their diet and fasting.
A fruit-and-vegetable diet is said to improve insulin sensitivity, reduce inflammation, and lower the risk of blood clots.
Fruit-and-vegetable fasting may improve pancreatic function, reverse diabetes, and limit its complications; after one week, normal blood glucose levels were observed in more than 80% of patients.
A diet high in processed foods and a lack of exercise contribute to atherosclerosis, while eating vegetables and fruit, exercising, and not smoking are said to reduce the risk of a heart attack.
Fasting and a plant-based diet are presented as ways to prevent and treat ischemic heart disease, and a six-week treatment may reverse atherosclerotic changes.
In a study of 15 men, a four-week fruit-and-vegetable diet was associated with lower levels of some test results and the healing of skin lesions, while healthy eating with periodic fasting was linked to remission lasting many years.
Fruit-and-vegetable fasting is presented as a possible path to healing because medicines relieve symptoms but do not remove the cause of the disease.
Andrzej Frydrychowski claims that nutrients from food can affect genes and presents them as part of a way to prevent or fight cancer.
Andrzej Frydrychowski attributes a role to nutrition and supplements in reducing oxidative stress and preventing many diseases from developing.
Henryk Różański gives examples of claims on product labels: oils are said to prevent coronary heart disease and atherosclerosis, while chokeberry and pomegranate juice is said to protect against civilization diseases.
Jerzy Jaśkowski points out that excess sugar and some food additives can destroy gut bacteria and cause intestinal inflammation.
Nathan S. Bryan claims that a good diet and exercise can prevent, treat, and cure most chronic diseases.
Professor David Ludwig points out that focusing on nutrients alone has not addressed the epidemic of chronic diseases associated with overeating, although the properties of foods may help prevent disease.
M. Williamson, N. Moustaid-Moussa, and L. Gollahon write that some Western diets may contribute to rising rates of metabolic disease, and that excess calories and saturated fats are drawbacks of modern eating habits.
Research from PubMed · Europe PMC
We selected 7 studies with the best, positive results. This is a selection, not a full review of all research.
Total number of studies on this topic in PubMed: 63 942.
A meta-analysis found that greater adherence to the Planetary Health Diet was associated with a lower risk of death and several chronic diseases.
Aim of the study: The health benefits of the Planetary Health Diet (PHD) require further validation. We examined associations between PHD adherence and risks of mortality and chronic diseases using data from two prospective cohorts—the US NHANES (1999-2018, 42,947 participants) and the UKB (125,372 participants)—and a meta-analysis of 37 published cohort studies (3,244,263 participants).
Results: Higher adherence to PHD was associated with lower all-cause mortality in both cohorts. In the UKB, it was also associated with reduced the risk of cancer and respiratory disease mortality. In the meta-analysis, higher adherence to the PHD was associated with lower risks of all-cause, cancer, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality and reduced risks of colorectal cancer, lung cancer, CVDs, coronary heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. This analysis suggests that higher adherence to the PHD may offer substantial health benefits.
“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.
A review found that treating malnutrition in COPD may improve body weight and muscle function.
Aim of the study: In the UK approximately 1.2 million people have COPD with around 25-40% being underweight and 35% have a severely low fat-free mass index. Measuring their body mass index is recommended and Health care professionals should endeavour to ensure that COPD patients are achieving their nutritional requirements.
Results: Management options include nutritional supplementation which may increase weight and muscle function. Nutritional education has short-term improvements. Malnutrition affects multiple aspects of COPD, but treatment is of benefit. Clinical practice should include nutrition management.
“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.
A review found that appropriately selected nutritional interventions may benefit people with COPD.
Aim of the study: In 2014, the European Respiratory Society published a statement on nutritional assessment and therapy in COPD. Since then, increasing research has been performed on the role of diet and nutrition in the prevention and management of COPD.
Results: Distinct COPD phenotypes have been identified incorporating nutritional status, ranging from cachexia and frailty to obesity. The importance of body composition assessment and the need for tailored nutritional screening instruments is further highlighted. Dietary interventions and targeted single or multi-nutrient supplementation can be beneficial when optimal timing is considered. The therapeutic window of opportunity for nutritional interventions during and recovering from an acute exacerbation and hospitalisation is underexplored.
“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.
A review found that appropriate nutritional care may reduce hospital malnutrition and the costs associated with it.
Aim of the study: This review focuses on the studies investigating the prognostic implications of disease-related malnutrition. Malnutrition is a common problem in patients with chronic or severe diseases.
Results: Furthermore, nutritional status is known to worsen during hospital stay which is partly due to the poor recognition by the medical staff and adverse clinical routines. Studies have repeatedly shown that clinical malnutrition however has serious implications for recovery from disease, trauma and surgery and is generally associated with increased morbidity and mortality both in acute and chronic diseases. Length of hospital stay is significantly longer in malnourished patients and higher treatment costs are reported in malnutrition. Since it has been demonstrated that proper nutritional care can reduce the prevalence of hospital malnutrition and costs, nutritional assessment is mandatory in order to recognise malnutrition early and initiate timely nutritional therapy.
“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.
A review considered supplementation an effective and safe approach to preventing and treating malnutrition in patients receiving dialysis.
Aim of the study: Protein-Energy Wasting (PEW) is the depletion of protein/energy stores observed in the most advanced stages of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). PEW is highly prevalent among patients on chronic dialysis, and is associated with adverse clinical outcomes, high morbidity/mortality rates and increased healthcare costs. This narrative review was aimed at exploring the pathophysiology of PEW in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on hemodialysis.
Results: The pathogenesis of PEW is multifactorial. Loss of appetite, reduced intake of nutrients and altered lean body mass anabolism/catabolism play a key role. Nutritional approach to PEW should be based on a careful and periodic assessment of nutritional status and on timely dietary counseling. When protein and energy intakes are reduced, nutritional supplementation by means of specific oral formulations administered during the hemodialysis session may be the first-step intervention, and represents a valid nutritional approach to PEW prevention and treatment since it is easy, effective and safe. Omega-3 fatty acids and fibers, now included in commercially available preparations for renal patients, could lend relevant added value to macronutrient supplementation. When oral supplementation fails, intradialytic parenteral nutrition can be implemented in selected patients.
“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.
A review found that creatine supplementation may offer health and therapeutic benefits at different stages of life.
Aim of the study: Although creatine has been mostly studied as an ergogenic aid for exercise, training, and sport, several health and potential therapeutic benefits have been reported. This is because creatine plays a critical role in cellular metabolism, particularly during metabolically stressed states, and limitations in the ability to transport and/or store creatine can impair metabolism.
Results: Moreover, increasing availability of creatine in tissue may enhance cellular metabolism and thereby lessen the severity of injury and/or disease conditions, particularly when oxygen availability is compromised. This systematic review assesses the peer-reviewed scientific and medical evidence related to creatine's role in promoting general health as we age and how creatine supplementation has been used as a nutritional strategy to help individuals recover from injury and/or manage chronic disease. Additionally, it provides reasonable conclusions about the role of creatine on health and disease based on current scientific evidence. Based on this analysis, it can be concluded that creatine supplementation has several health and therapeutic benefits throughout the lifespan.
“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.
In mice with ApoE4, a DHA diet improved lipid balance in the brain and mitochondrial function.
Aim of the study: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an irreversible neurodegenerative disorder lacking curative therapies, with ApoE4 as the strongest genetic risk factor driving lipid dyshomeostasis and neuronal damage in the central nervous system. Lipid rafts, cholesterol- and sphingolipid-rich membrane microdomains, govern key neuronal signalling, and dysfunction of these microdomains mediates the progression of preclinical pathological lesions in ApoE4 carriers.
Results: We constructed female ApoE3/3 and ApoE4/4 knock-in mice with 6- and 12-month DHA dietary interventions, combining behavioral, histological, lipidomic and proteomic assays to characterize genotype-specific lipid remodelling and downstream mitochondrial changes. Here we show that ApoE4 mice develop severe hepatic steatosis, neuroinflammation and lipid raft rigidification characterized by elevated sulfatides and ceramides levels, DHA upregulates Lpin1, Atgl and nSMase2 while suppressing Acer3 and Sgms2, thereby rebalancing lipids raft and restoring mitochondrial bioenergetics. Our work resolves raft and non-raft lipid profiles in ApoE humanized mice, and links peripheral hepatic metabolic disturbances to cerebral membrane microdomain dysfunction. These multi-omics mechanistic findings advance genotype-specific preventive nutritional strategies for ApoE4 carriers and reveal potential subcellular lipid targets for early AD intervention.
“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.
Perspectives and opinion materials
The content below presents the authors’ opinions, interpretations and hypotheses. It is not treated as equal to scientific studies and systematic reviews.
Pisaczek does not judge who is right. It shows what was written and where to read it. Every sentence above has its source.