Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine

Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine Helping humans and animals through plant-based diets and ethical and effective scientific research.
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Heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide, but research continues to show that diet and lifestyle choices pl...
05/14/2026

Heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide, but research continues to show that diet and lifestyle choices play a major role in cardiovascular health.

Research shows that low-fat, plant-based diets may help prevent, delay, and in some cases even reverse heart disease. Studies by Dean Ornish, MD, Caldwell Esselstyn Jr., MD, and others found improvements in blood flow, cholesterol levels, and artery health among participants following plant-based dietary patterns and healthy lifestyle changes.

Whole plant foods like beans, lentils, fruits, vegetables, tofu, tempeh, and whole grains naturally provide fiber while being low in saturated fat and free of dietary cholesterol. These foods may help support healthy LDL cholesterol levels, blood pressure, blood flow, and inflammation markers linked to cardiovascular disease.

Research also shows that plant-based diets may help improve several major risk factors for heart disease, including:
• High cholesterol
• High blood pressure
• Inflammation
• Excess weight

Research has linked processed and red meat consumption with increased heart disease risk, while replacing meat with plant proteins may support long-term cardiovascular health.

Small dietary changes can add up over time and lead to lasting health improvements. ❤️

To learn more about heart disease, cholesterol, blood pressure, and plant-based nutrition, visit our website: https://www.pcrm.org/health-topics/heart-disease

05/13/2026

This Brazilian black bean stew by is hearty and packed with flavor. 🫘✨ Sweet potato, orange, and spices come together for a nourishing meal that’s as vibrant as it is satisfying. Save this one for an easy weeknight dinner. Plus it is an excellent source of fiber and protein. Find more plant-based recipes on our website PCRM.org/Recipes


Ingredients

Makes 10 Servings

1/2 cup (120 mL) water

1 onion, chopped

3 cloves garlic, chopped

1 small jalapeño pepper, chopped

1 carrot, thinly sliced

1 stalk celery, sliced

1 sweet potato, cubed

1 red bell pepper, seeded and cubed

1 cup (16 g) fresh cilantro, chopped

1 cup (180 g) fresh or canned tomatoes, chopped

2 oranges, peeled and well chopped

2 15-oz cans (720 g) black beans, undrained

1 teaspoon (5 mL) ground coriander

1 teaspoon (5 mL) ground cumin

Heat the water in a large pot, then add the onion, garlic, jalapeño pepper, carrot, celery, and sweet potatoes. Cook over high heat, stirring frequently, until the onion is tender, about 5 minutes.

Add the bell peppers and cilantro and cook for 3 minutes, stirring frequently. Add the tomatoes, oranges, black beans and their liquid, coriander, and cumin. Cover lightly and cook over low heat for 15 to 20 minutes.

New research is shedding light on an often-overlooked public health issue: the role of wildlife trade in disease transmi...
05/12/2026

New research is shedding light on an often-overlooked public health issue: the role of wildlife trade in disease transmission.

A recent collaboration of scientists from the United States and Switzerland found that global wildlife trade increases the spread of disease from animals to humans.

One part of this system—medical research and regulatory testing—uses nonhuman primates, which can carry pathogens capable of infecting humans. Many of the roughly 100,000 nonhuman primates held and used for research in the U.S. each year are imported from overseas.

The animals are supposed to have been captive-bred, but their hefty price tags incentivize poaching and illegal capture so they can be sold to foreign factory-like breeding facilities where they are kept in meager conditions, like small mesh sacks and limited hygiene protocols.

As noted by the new study, these and other factors like the stress of captivity can worsen infectious disease transmission risks.

The good news is that we don’t need to transport wildlife for experiments and risk public health. Ethical and effective nonanimal approaches can better replicate human-specific biology and disease characteristics.

New legislation introduced in Congress, the Preventing Risky Importation of Monkeys to Avoid Toxic Exposures Act—or PRIMATE Act—will finally end this practice by banning the importation of monkeys into the U.S. for research purposes.

Take action: Urge your representative to support the PRIMATE Act and help reduce these public health risks.

Learn more and contact your representative: ACT.PCRM.org/zWIAZzX7706OmnqRlhWXQw2

Read more about the impact of wildlife trade on public health: https://www.pcrm.org/news/innovative-science/monkeys-imported-medical-research-increase-risk-animal-human-pathogen

05/11/2026

This doctor’s version of mac and cheese doesn’t use cheese.

When we asked Michael Greger what healthy plant-based meal he’s been making lately, he mentioned something his family calls “hum-mac.”

His version starts with whole-wheat pasta, then gets tossed with hummus, beans (like black soybeans), and whatever vegetables are around—in this case, things like kale and artichoke hearts. Give that a quick mix, and dinner’s basically done.

It’s a good reminder that plant-based meals don’t have to be complicated. Sometimes it’s just about combining a few familiar foods in a different way:

• Whole-grain pasta
• Beans or legumes
• Vegetables
• A creamy element like hummus

Hummus works surprisingly well here because it already has the ingredients that make sauces satisfying. When it warms up with pasta, it turns into a creamy, savory pasta sauce without needing cheese.

While he didn’t mention it, we have a hunch that something like nutritional yeast would add not only a protein boost to this meal, but also a nice “cheesy” element.

Simple ideas like this can make it easier to keep plant-based meals in your regular rotation—especially on busy nights when you just need something fast.

Would you try mac and cheese made with hummus?

And if you already use hummus as a pasta sauce, we’d love to hear what you add to it!

05/11/2026

One in three people worldwide have fatty liver disease. Many have no idea.

In this episode of The Exam Room Podcast, Dr. Neal Barnard shares research from 244 volunteers showing that removing animal products and keeping vegetable oils low pulled a third of liver fat out in just 16 weeks. In many participants, the fatty liver was effectively cured.

The full conversation with Chuck Carroll goes deeper on which specific foods protect the liver, the role of antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables, why beans deserve far more credit than they get, the surprising truth about coffee and sugar, and how quickly the reversal process begins.

Watch the episode: https://youtu.be/9a2vPtVznBs

Nutrition science is constantly evolving, and ICNM is where leading experts come together to discuss what the latest res...
05/09/2026

Nutrition science is constantly evolving, and ICNM is where leading experts come together to discuss what the latest research means for patient care and everyday health.

Join us Aug. 13-15 in Washington, D.C., for the 14th annual International Conference on Nutrition in Medicine, featuring presentations and discussions on topics including the microbiome, diabetes, GLP-1s, heart health, cognition, chronic disease prevention, and more.

Whether you’re a health professional, student, or someone passionate about evidence-based nutrition, ICNM is an incredible opportunity to learn from leaders in the field.

Learn more and register at PCRM.org/ICNM

We’re celebrating 25 years of our Food for Life program! 🎉 For more than two decades, this program has helped people tak...
05/06/2026

We’re celebrating 25 years of our Food for Life program! 🎉

For more than two decades, this program has helped people take meaningful steps toward better health—combining evidence-based nutrition with practical cooking skills that make healthy habits easier to sustain.

What began as a single class has grown into a global program, with hundreds of instructors teaching thousands of classes each year and reaching communities around the world.

We’re grateful to the instructors, partners, and participants who continue to bring this work to life.

Learn more about the program’s impact: https://www.pcrm.org/news/food-life-celebrates-25-years-helping-people-get-healthy-plant-based-diet

A new clinical trial has some striking findings. A low-fat vegan diet reduced food-related greenhouse gas emissions by 5...
05/06/2026

A new clinical trial has some striking findings. A low-fat vegan diet reduced food-related greenhouse gas emissions by 57%, nearly three times more than a Mediterranean diet, while also delivering greater improvements in weight, insulin sensitivity, and cholesterol.

The research was led by director of clinical research at the Physicians Committee, Hana Kahleova, MD, PhD, and published in BMJ Nutrition, Prevention & Health.

Learn more: https://www.pcrm.org/news/news-releases/new-clinical-trial-shows-vegan-diet-dramatically-cuts-food-related-emissions

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with colorful, crowd-pleasing recipes that are completely plant-based and totally delicious. Fro...
05/05/2026

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with colorful, crowd-pleasing recipes that are completely plant-based and totally delicious. From tacos and burritos to creamy queso and zesty salsas, these dishes are packed with bold, satisfying flavor—no meat or dairy needed.

Click the link below to grab the full list of recipes and make your Cinco de Mayo heart-healthy and cruelty-free.

Explore the recipes: https://www.pcrm.org/news/celebrate-cinco-de-mayo-plant-based-way

05/05/2026

This oil-free refried beans recipe from Dora's Table Vegan Mexican Recipes provides all the delicious flavor of classic frijoles, but without the added fat. Perfect served with rice, stuffed into burritos, spread on tostadas, or enjoyed as a dip with tortilla chips.

You can find more recipes like this and get more vegan recipes, medical information, shopping lists, and more at our website PCRM.org.

Ingredients:
1/2 onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 serrano chili, chopped
2 large tomatoes, chopped
3 cups cooked beans, with a bit of their broth
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

In a large skillet, heat 1/4 cup water over medium-low heat. Add the onion and cook for 5 to 6 minutes, or until softened. Add the garlic and the serrano chili and cook for another 5 minutes.

Add the tomatoes and cook until they start to release their juices, about 8 to 10 minutes. Add the beans to the skillet and mash them with a potato masher until you get a thick puree. If needed, add a bit more of the bean broth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

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