International Conference on Nutrition in Medicine Tackles Trending Health Topics from Ultra-Processed Foods to Ozempic in Washington, D.C., Aug. 14-16

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Are some ultra-processed foods good for you? Could diet change be better than Wegovy or Ozempic for weight loss? What role does nutrition play in breast and prostate cancers, menopause, and Alzheimer’s disease? These are just a few of the trending nutrition topics that more than 25 of the world’s leading nutrition experts will examine at the 13th annual International Conference on Nutrition in Medicine from Aug. 14 to 16 in Washington, D.C.

“We will be unveiling new information on beating cancer, new and disturbing findings about weight loss drugs, and surprises on processed foods,” says Physicians Committee President Neal Barnard, MD, FACC. “We’ll hear new results on the power of vegan diets and the disasters that can occur with some other dietary approaches.”

Hundreds of physicians, advanced practice clinicians, dietitians, nutrition educators, and others will learn about the latest research on nutrition and how to use it in their everyday practice. Highlights from the three-day agenda include:

• Opening Remarks: Mitchell Katz, MD, deputy editor of JAMA Internal Medicine and CEO of NYC Health + Hospitals, will kick off the conference on Thursday, and Bobby Mukkamala, MD, the new American Medical Association president, will provide opening remarks on Friday.
• Breast Cancer: Kristi Funk, MD, and Rowan Chlebowski, MD, PhD, will share the latest research on lifestyle and breast cancer treatment and prevention.
• Menopause: Vanita Rahman, MD, will discuss menopause and hormone therapy, while Anthony Scialli, MD, takes on the “Menopause Myth.”
• Prostate Cancer: Dean Ornish, MD, will discuss research showing how lifestyle can slow, stop, or reverse prostate cancer progression; Edward Giovannucci, MD, ScD, will present on the role nutrition plays in prostate cancer; and Peter Carroll, MD, MP, covers screening, treatment planning, and prevention.
• Ultra-Processed Foods: Christopher Gardner, PhD, will discuss heart health and ultra-processed foods, and Michael Greger, MD, will look at ultra-processed plant-based meat versus meat.
• GLP-1 Agonists: Vanita Rahman, MD, will share the latest on GLP-1 agonists like Ozempic and Wegovy for weight loss, and Ben Urick, PharmD, PhD, will discuss clinical outcomes and medical costs for patients with obesity.
• Healthy Communities: Angelia Dickinson, MS, ALC, ADC, DipACLM (Africatown, Ala.) and Shauna Parisian (Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians in North Dakota) will discuss community-focused strategies for promoting health and sustainability.

Additional topics include Alzheimer’s disease, lowering cholesterol, supplements, omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids, nutrition and skin health, and more.

At the Friday night dinner program, Dr. Gardner will discuss the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which is expected to be released by the end of this year. In December 2024, the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee’s Scientific Report called for the Dietary Guidelines to emphasize plant-based diets and recommend water rather than cow’s milk as the beverage of choice.

The conference, which includes plant-based breakfasts and lunches, is jointly provided by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, a nonprofit health advocacy organization of more than 17,000 physician members, and the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences. Physicians, nurses, dietitians, health coaches, and pharmacists can earn up to 20.75 continuing education credits for attending.

Learn more about the International Conference on Nutrition in Medicine and register at PCRM.org/ICNM.