Unit 8
What Is the Healthiest Diet?

Overview

In this unit, we attempt to tie together all of the information presented so far and to formulate an ideal diet. We must point out that the conclusions we reach here are general ones. Many factors, such as food allergies, age, or health status, can affect what is considered the ideal diet for an individual.

We must also stress that the only rational approach to the question of CDL is primary prevention based on a healthy lifestyle, particularly good nutrition. The evidence we have presented suggests that essentially the same diet helps prevent virtually all CDL. Furthermore, the evidence leads us to conclude that several CDL are potentially reversible and that diet can make a major contribution towards this reversal. However, the diet appropriate for disease reversal is stricter than that designed for primary prevention.

Objectives

After completing this unit, you should be able to

1. use the information presented in the course so far to construct a healthy diet.
2. explain the potential impact of this diet on the risk of CDL.
3. discuss the role of non-dietary aspects of lifestyle in the incidence and prevention of CDL.
4. discuss strategies for the prevention of CDL.