Co-creator of Healing Foods Pyramid Reacts to New USDA Pyramid

ANN ARBOR, Mich. - Creators of the Healing Foods Pyramid from the University of Michigan say the U.S. Department of Agriculture's new food guidelines are a "step in the right direction," but they say their pyramid goes further.

"The USDA's effort is a step in the right direction. We are pleased to see that they have emphasized a balance between food and physical activity," says Monica Myklebust, M.D., director of the University of Michigan Integrative Medicine's Clinical Services.

But Myklebust says the Healing Foods Pyramid she created with UMIMCS dietitian Jenna Wunder does more to focus on foods that can help with the treatment and prevention of major diseases.

"People don't eat right. To solve this problem, we have developed a Healing Foods Pyramid," Myklebust says. "It emphasizes plant-based foods that are shown to prevent and treat obesity, heart disease and cancer."

Throughout the two years of evaluating current scientific data and while developing their pyramid free from outside interests or lobbyists, Myklebust and Wunder noted striking similarities of nutrition recommendations for the prevention and treatment of many conditions. These include cancer, heart disease, high serum lipids, diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, headaches, mood disorders and chronic pain.

Their research led to the creation of the Healing Foods Pyramid, which also emphasizes abundant variety, balance of portions, choices that support a healthful environment, and mindful eating.

"Food really is medicine," Myklebust says. "Eating well contributes significantly to healing, health and well-being."

The Healing Foods Pyramid has water as its foundation, followed by a rainbow variety of fruits and vegetables. Grains and starchy vegetables, then legumes (including soy) are next. Healthy fats emphasize monounsaturated fats, and the seasonings category includes herbs, onions, garlic and hot peppers. Organic dairy, eggs from free-range chickens, lean meats such as grass-fed beef, and wild fish and seafood are recommended.

Accompaniments, alcohol, dark chocolate and tea are given special consideration. Finally, at the top, a "personal space" awaits the addition of a food to be enjoyed occasionally, which is considered to be healing to the individual user. This acknowledges that all healing benefits of food may not be measurable in the laboratory.

The Healing Foods Pyramid was released March 7. Its interactive, Web-based version is available at www.med.umich.edu/umim/clinical/pyramid/index.htm. There, a click on a category immediately brings the user to Facts About guidelines that detail serving sizes, health benefits and special considerations.

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For more information about Integrative Medicine at the University of Michigan, visit www.med.umich.edu/umim

Myklebust trained conventionally as a family physician at Mayo Clinic, then spent two years in fellowship with Andrew Weil. She now directs the University of Michigan Integrative Medicine's Clinical Services. She encourages people to use the Healing Foods Pyramid guidelines as part of a balanced lifestyle that integrates mind, body, spirit and emotion.