RFK Jr. directs medical schools to expand nutrition education. Here’s what we know about nutrition & cancer.
Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced Wednesday he is directing universities to strengthen nutrition education efforts across pre-med, medical school and residency programs.
Kennedy issued a two-week deadline for medical education organizations to comply, giving them until September 10 to submit written plans to detail, “the scope, timeline, standards alignment, measurable milestones, and accountability measures of their nutrition education commitments.”
Nutrition has been a cornerstone issue of Kennedy’s “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) initiative, with plans to reform America’s food, health and scientific systems.
Kennedy said in June that American medical schools must offer an increase in nutrition courses to students or they would lose HHS funding; his announcement Wednesday did not mention funding.
“Medical schools talk about nutrition but fail to teach it,” Kennedy stated in a press release. “We demand immediate, measurable reforms to embed nutrition education across every stage of medical training, hold institutions accountable for progress, and equip every future physician with the tools to prevent disease—not just treat it.”
How does nutrition tie in to cancer prevention?
What you consume can affect your health, including your risk for cancer and other chronic diseases. Obesity is linked to at least 13 types of cancer, so a healthy diet is important when it comes to reducing your cancer risk.
Here are a few nutrition tips if you’re looking to make some changes:
• Increase your whole grain intake. Whole grains contain phytonutrients, which are antioxidants that protect your body from disease.
• Limit your red meat intake and eliminate processed meat entirely. These moves are proven to lower your risk of cancer—especially colorectal cancer.
• Fruits and veggies are essential. A 2021 study found that three servings of vegetables (not starchy ones, like potatoes) and two of fruit (not juice) every day resulted in a 10% lower risk of death from cancer.
• Limit or avoid alcohol. Research shows that the more a person drinks—especially if they drink regularly over time—the higher their risk of developing alcohol-associated cancer, such as breast, colorectal, esophageal, liver and oral cancers.
Quick nutrition resources for cancer prevention
We talk about nutrition a lot here at the Prevent Cancer Foundation, and for good reason. Below are a few resources that can help you create a more balanced, prevention-focused lifestyle. Bookmark a few of these links for easy access as you plan your next meal!
• 6 cancer-fighting foods worth adding to your diet
• What is a plant-based diet and can it help prevent cancer?
• Healthy foods to keep in your fridge
• How eating the right foods can lower your colorectal cancer risk