Michael Greger recounts the profound impact that his grandmother’s recovery from end-stage heart disease had on his life and career. After being told by doctors that she had only weeks to live, she experienced a miraculous recovery by following a plant-based diet and exercise regimen under the guidance of Nathan Pritikin. This experience not only inspired Greger to pursue medicine but also shaped his mission to advocate for lifestyle changes as a means to prevent and reverse chronic diseases. He critiques the medical establishment for prioritizing profit-driven treatments over dietary and lifestyle interventions. Despite the overwhelming evidence supporting the benefits of a plant-based diet, Greger highlights the resistance within the medical community due to systemic issues such as inadequate nutrition education and the influence of the pharmaceutical industry. Greger’s work, including the creation of NutritionFacts.org, aims to empower individuals with knowledge, bypassing traditional medical gatekeepers.

Greger emphasizes the important role that diet plays in preventing, arresting, and even reversing many of the leading causes of death, such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. Greger argues that most deaths in the United States are preventable and are primarily linked to lifestyle factors, particularly diet.