Neal D. Barnard facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Neal Barnard
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Barnard in 2014
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| Born | 10 July 1953 Fargo, North Dakota, U.S.
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| Education | George Washington University School of Medicine (MD) |
| Occupation | Non-profit executive, author, medical researcher |
| Known for | Founding and serving as President of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine |
Neal D. Barnard (born July 10, 1953) is an American doctor and a strong supporter of animal rights. He is well-known for starting the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM). This group works to promote healthy eating and prevent diseases. Dr. Barnard has written many books about eating a whole food plant-based diet, which means eating only foods that come from plants.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Neal Barnard grew up in Fargo, North Dakota. He studied medicine at George Washington University School of Medicine. During his studies, he became very interested in vegan diets. A vegan diet means not eating any animal products, like meat, dairy, or eggs.
Dr. Barnard is a certified doctor in psychiatry and neurology. He is also a member of the American College of Cardiology. He is a big supporter of animal rights. He has worked with groups like People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).
Career Highlights
In 1985, Dr. Barnard started the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM). This group helps people learn about healthy eating and how to prevent illnesses. By 2016, PCRM had many members, including thousands of doctors.
Dr. Barnard has appeared in several movies about health and food. These include Super Size Me (2004), Forks Over Knives (2011), and What the Health (2017). Since 2003, he has also been a professor of medicine at George Washington University. In 2016, he opened the Barnard Medical Center in Washington, D.C.. This center focuses on helping patients with nutrition.
Dr. Barnard works with patients who have diabetes and obesity. He also plays music, including the cello, guitar, and keyboards. He has been in bands like Pop Maru and Carbonworks.
In 2011, Dr. Barnard was honored by the North American Vegetarian Society. He was added to their Vegetarian Hall of Fame.
Books by Dr. Barnard
In 2013, Dr. Barnard published a book called Power Foods for the Brain. This book talks about how food choices can affect your brain health. It also looks at plant-based diets in "Blue Zones". These are places where people live very long lives.
By 2019, Dr. Barnard had written 20 books. One of his books is The Vegan Starter Kit. He has also hosted four TV shows on PBS about nutrition and health.
Understanding Diabetes and Diet
Dr. Barnard wrote a book in 2009 called Dr Neal Barnard's Program for Reversing Diabetes. In this book, he suggests that a low-fat vegan diet can help control blood sugar. He believes it can also improve how insulin works.
Expert Views on Diabetes Reversal
Some experts, like Jim Mann, agree that a low-fat vegan diet can help with weight loss. This can be good for managing diabetes. However, they say that some of Dr. Barnard's claims are too strong. For example, they point out that Type 1 diabetes cannot be reversed.
Another expert, Elaine Rush, said that while the book has good advice, not all types of diabetes can be reversed. She also mentioned that a low-fat vegan diet might not be right for children or pregnant women without a doctor's help.
Peter Lipson, from Science-Based Medicine, has also discussed Dr. Barnard's ideas. He believes that losing weight is more important than following one specific diet to improve diabetes. He also thinks that no single diet is a "magic cure" for all health problems.
Awards and Recognition
- 2016: Lifestyle Medicine Trailblazer Award from The American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM)
- 2019: 6th Plantrician Project Luminary Award from The Plantrician Project
Personal Life
Dr. Barnard enjoys playing music. He plays the cello, guitar, and keyboards. He has been a member of several bands, including Pop Maru, Verdun, and Carbonworks.
Selected Publications
- Dr Neal Barnard's Program for Reversing Diabetes (Rodale Press, 2009)
- Power Foods for the Brain: An Effective 3-Step Plan to Protect Your Mind and Strengthen Your Memory (Grand Central Publishing, 2013)
- The Cheese Trap: How Breaking a Surprising Addiction Will Help You Lose Weight, Gain Energy, and Get Healthy (Grand Central Publishing, 2017)
See also
- List of animal rights advocates
- List of vegans
