The traditional Indian diet transforms simple ingredients—lentils, cauliflower, peas, spinach, potatoes, and other humble foods, along with a magical touch of spice—into masterpieces that are not only delicious, but healthful. The illnesses that plague the Western world—heart disease, obesity, and cancer—have been relatively rare among Indians following a traditional diet.

But a tragedy looms in India. Traditional plant-based diets are under assault by Western tastes. Meat, cheese, and fast foods are increasingly popular, and the damage has already started. Ischemic heart disease killed 1.1 million Indians in 1991 and rose to nearly 1.5 million in 1998. Diabetes and other chronic diseases have followed suit. Even many vegetarians have diets dangerously laden with fatty dairy products and cooking oils.

Last November, I traveled to India to lecture at more than 20 medical centers in eight Indian cities, speaking out against the "McDonaldization" of Asia and supporting the vegetarian traditions that are in danger of being forgotten.

In a country where some view vegetarian diets as a bit old-fashioned, I was unsure how well the message would be received. However, the auditoriums were packed and questions were endless. The elegant Taj Hotels in New Delhi and Mumbai put on special receptions with mouth-watering menus, all low in fat and entirely vegan.

Instead of a Westernization of Indian eating habits, it is clear that America and Europe need an Easternization of their own diets. The result could be powerful medicine for Western doctors who continue to face as difficult a struggle with chronic disease as Asian doctors are now beginning to encounter.

Dr. Barnard's trip to India generated an enormous amount of press coverage, with two national television appearances, more than 60 English-language newspaper stories, and dozens more in Hindi, Tamil, Gujarati, and other Indian languages.