The Prama Wellness Center recently organized a one-day seminar entitled “Eat to Live: A Lifestyle Program for Health and Longevity” with Dr. Joel Fuhrman. More than 120 enthusiastic participants attended this thought-provoking one-day program on Saturday, March 16, 2019, at the Jubilee Church in downtown Asheville, NC. The Vegan Society and Edible Musings were sponsors for the event.

Dr. Fuhrman is a New York Times best-selling author (Eat to Live and The End of Dieting) and world-famous nutritional educator. He is known for his popular programs on PBS and teaching people how to naturally reduce the risks of diabetes, obesity, addiction, and heart disease.

Dr. Fuhrman was introduced by Ramesh Bjonnes, who said that Dr. Fuhrman’s teachings follows the motto Hippocrates gave 2500 years ago: ‘Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.’” In addition, Mr. Bjonnes said that “Dr. Fuhrman is a true visionary who has his feet firmly planted in the garden of science. Indeed, all his ideas and claims are backed by extensive research. Most importantly, he walks his talk. He is an avid gardener, and he lives and eats according to his own teachings.”

During his dynamic and informative talk, which was interspersed with many anecdotal stories of people who had healed themselves from chronic diseases, such as diabetes, arthritis and heart disease, with his diet, Dr. Fuhrman detailed his main approach to nutrition: the nutritarian diet.

This lifestyle is based on a diet that is high in micronutrients (vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals) and avoids unhealthy food choices. The Standard American Diet (SAD), Dr. Fuhrman said, is typically very low on these nutrients and very high in animal fats, refined carbohydrates and sugar. SAD is, according to a growing number of scientists, the main cause of our cultural diseases—diabetes, cancer, heart disease. However, when people change their diet to include more green vegetables, fruits, nuts and seeds, then they can reverse many chronic diseases and loose weight.

Dr. Fuhrman’s program was interactive, informative and entertaining. He answered questions by sharing his research and experiences throughout his talk, often by recounting humorous and insightful anecdotes from his long-term practice as a doctor.