These medical doctors and other experts advocate a mostly or completely plant based diet. Most of them follow a fully vegan diet themselves. So here are 16 plant based doctors and experts I think you should know about.
Dr. T. Colin Campbell, PhD
Dr. Campbell is a biochemist who specializes in the effects of nutrition on long-term health. He was one of the lead scientists on The China Study: the most comprehensive study on health and nutrition ever conducted.
Dr. Campell’s study findings show a link between consumption of animal-based foods and higher instances of heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and death.
Taking the vegan diet one step further, Dr. Campbell coined the term whole food plant based (WFPB). He asserts that a WFPB diet is best for our overall health and wellness.
Dr. Campbell has authored over 300 research papers.
“The solution to losing weight is a whole foods, plant-based diet, coupled with a reasonable amount of exercise. It is a long-term lifestyle change, rather than a quick-fix fad, and it can provide sustained weight loss while minimizing the risk of chronic disease.” Dr. T. Colin Campbell
Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn, MD
Dr. Esselstyn’s experimental results led to the groundbreaking discovery that a plant based diet doesn’t just have the ability to prevent heart disease; it can reverse heart disease as well. Dr. Esselstyn himself has followed a plant based diet since 1984.
Dr. Esselstyn has written over 150 scientific publications.
“Some people think a whole foods, plant based diet is extreme. Half a million people per year will have their chests opened up and a vein taken from their leg and sewn onto their coronary artery. Some would call that extreme.” Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn
Dr. Neal Barnard, MD
Dr. Barnard has led many research studies on the effects of diet on diabetes, body weight, and chronic pain. His stunning research of dietary interventions in diabetes paved the way for type 2 diabetes to be viewed as a reversible condition for many patients.
Dr. Barnard is the president of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. He leads programs centered around preventative medicine, good nutrition, and higher ethical standards in research.
He has written 20 books on nutrition and health and over 90 scientific publications.
“So, if people in Asia or Africa, who eat lots of carbohydrates have very little diabetes, and if the disease becomes more and more common as carbohydrates are excluded from the diet, researches have had to conclude that a high-carbohydrate diet is not the cause of the disease. In fact, the culprit seems to be lurking in our Western diets.” Dr. Neal Barnard
Dr. Michael Greger, MD
Dr. Greger is a physician, best selling author, and professional speaker on public health issues. He was also famously an expert witness in Oprah Winfrey’s “meat defamation” trial.
Dr. Greger also advocates for a WFPB diet. In his book How Not To Die, he discusses the “daily dozen” of plant based foods he recommends for optimum health and disease prevention.
“The most ethical diet just so happens to be the most environmentally sound diet and just so happens to be the healthiest.” Dr. Michael Greger
Dr. Dean Ornish, MD
Encouraging a mostly plant based diet, Dr. Ornish is a proponent of a holistic approach to preventing and reversing diseases. In addition to healthy diet choices, Dr. Ornish promotes physical, mental, and emotional health.
Along with his wife, he developed a program with four main principles: eat well, move more, stress less, love more.
“For example, the latest studies are showing that lifestyle changes are often actually better than drugs and surgery in treating and even reversing many of the most prevalent chronic diseases, including stable coronary heart disease and early-stage prostate cancer.” Dr. Dean Ornish
Dr. Kim Williams, MD
In 2003, cardiologist Dr. Williams discovered his LDL (bad) cholesterol was too high. He decided to try a vegan diet after being inspired by a patient who showed improved results on a plant based diet after following Dr. Dean Ornish’s plan. Within 6 weeks, his LDL cholesterol was cut in half.
“There are two types of cardiologists: vegans and those who haven’t read the data.” Dr. Kim Williams
Dr. Michael Klaper, MD
Vegan since 1982, Dr. Klaper promotes a WFPB diet and a vegan lifestyle. In addition to recognizing the health benefits associated with a plant based diet, Dr. Klaper is an environmentalist. He passionately educates on the impacts of animal agriculture on humans, the planet, and the animals.
“People are the only animals that drink the milk of the mother of another species. All other animals stop drinking milk altogether after weaning. It is unnatural for a dog to nurse from a mother giraffe; it is just as unnatural for a human being to drink the milk of a cow.” Dr. Michael Klaper
Dr. Joel Kahn, MD
Dr. Kahn believes that a plant based diet is the most powerful source of preventative medicine. He focuses on holistic cardiology and the body’s ability to heal itself through proper nutrition.
“More produce and less loneliness keep the heart doctor away.” Dr. Joel Kahn
Dr. Pam Popper, PhD
Dr. Popper is an internationally recognized expert on nutrition, health, and medicine. She has followed a WFPB diet for over 25 years.
A lobbyist and public policy expert, Dr. Popper is not afraid to criticize national health organizations, government agencies, pharmaceutical companies, and agricultural organizations. Dr. Popper strives to distribute truthful information and promote public health; she feels many organizations have their own agendas and priorities that interfere with furthering the truth.
“Conflicts of interest at federal agencies play a major role in the steady stream of incorrect messages people receive daily about diet, health, and medicine.” Dr. Pam Popper
Dr. Brooke Goldner, MD
Truly a remarkable story.
At 16 years old, Dr. Goldner was diagnosed with the autoimmune disease Lupus. Due to this disease, she also developed stage IV kidney failure. For two grueling years, she underwent intensive treatments and endured extreme suffering.
As a distraction, Brooke studied science, and when the Lupus stabilized, she started medical school. While at school, she suffered a mini-stroke and more health complications. She was also told by doctors she would be unable to have children, as bearing a child would likely lead to her death. Knowing she didn’t have long to live, she became a doctor, desiring to help people with whatever time she had left.
Along with her husband, Dr. Goldner discovered the healing benefits of a plant based diet. Dr. Goldner learned that certain foods (like meat, dairy, and processed foods) cause chronic inflammation that can trigger disease. Additionally, other foods like raw greens, vegetables, and omega-3 fatty acids give your body the nutrients it needs to heal diseases.
In following a plant based diet, Dr. Goldner has been disease-free for 16 years, and has safely given birth to two children.
“I believe health should be a right, and I will never stop fighting for everyone to get the health and life they deserve.” Dr. Brooke Goldner
Brenda Davis, RD
Registered Dietitian, Brenda Davis, has been vegan since 1989. She is a public health nutritionist, clinical nutrition specialist, nutrition consultant, and an academic nutrition instructor.
Brenda has also co-authored 9 award-winning, best-selling books.
“Being vegan is about widening our circles of compassion to include those who are commonly excluded, be they human animals or non-human animals. It is about understanding that our choices have consequences for ourselves, and beyond ourselves. It is about recognizing that eating animals and animal products is both unnecessary and potentially harmful. Being vegan is about making choices that are a true reflection of our ethical and moral principles, and acknowledging that custom and tradition justify nothing.” Brenda Davis
Sharon Palmer, RD
Sharon, the Plant-Powered Dietitian, promotes whole, minimally processed plant foods. She grows most of her own food in a backyard organic garden.
In addition to the health benefits associated with a vegan diet, Sharon also promotes sustainability and protecting the environment.
“One thing you can do to tread more gently on Mother Earth is to eat a whole, plant-based diet.” Sharon Palmer
Julieanna Hever, RD
Also known as the Plant Based Dietitian, Julieanna has also authored 5 books, 2 peer-reviewed journal articles, and is the nutrition columnist for VegNews Magazine.
“Your palate is plastic, and it will change with consistency and practice.” Julieanna Hever
Miyoko Schinner
Award winning vegan celebrity chef and founder of Miyoko’s Creamery. As an animal activist, Miyoko was conflicted by her love of animals and being a self-professed cheese-aholic.
Miyoko developed unique plant based cheeses and cuisines, eventually turning it into a successful business and publishing a number of cookbooks.
“There is this thing called climate change. And people are becoming aware and realizing that there’s a potential personal responsibility. And there is more than just recycling and buying an electric car that you can do to reduce your personal carbon footprint. So people are beginning to see plant-based foods as being a more sustainable option.” Miyoko Schinner
Chloe Coscarelli
Chef Chloe is most known for being the first vegan to win a television culinary competition (Cupcake Wars on Food Network). She was also named to the 2017 Class of 30 Under 30 by Forbes.
Chloe has written 4 vegan cookbooks.
“I went vegan in high school, and it was the best decision I’ve ever made! I’ve always been a huge animal lover, and one day I realized that I could still eat delicious amazing food without hurting animals. I never feel heavy after eating vegan versions of ice cream sundaes or fettuccini alfredo. I love to eat, so sticking to a vegan diet allows me to eat more food, but still feel great!” Chef Chloe Coscarelli
Karina Inkster
Also known as Coach K, Karina is a vegan fitness and nutrition coach.
As a Certified Personal Training Specialist and Certified Online Trainer, Karina specializes in working with vegans and those interested in adopting a plant based diet.
“The only reason humans in the developed world eat animal products is because we think they taste good. That’s it. There’s no biological or medical reason to do so…I got rid of many of my own health problems by going one hundred percent plant-based.” Karina Inkster
Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine
The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) is a non-profit research and advocacy organization. Founded in 1985 by Dr. Neal Barnard, PCRM promotes plant-based diets, preventative medicine, and alternatives to animal research.
Comprised of over 12,000 physicians and more than 175,000 members, PCRM is dramatically changing the way doctors treat chronic diseases. Promoting prevention over pills, doctors are empowering their patients to “take control of their own health.”
“The Physicians Committee is dedicated to saving and improving human and animal lives through plant-based diets and ethical and effective scientific research.”
Finding Plant Based Specialist Near You
Through this website, locate vegan doctors, dietitians, therapists, and other health professionals near your location. Use yelp.com to search for vegan fitness trainers, restaurants, and other local businesses.
Especially when first starting a plant based diet, it’s important to build a team of experts around you for support. Even if your doctor does not have experience working with vegan patients, always inform them of any dietary changes you want to make.
For daily inspiration, I recommend following the people on this list on social media. They motivate me and provide a wealth of information. And while you’re at it, follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest! 🥰
I so respect those who have studied and have a first hand experience with their study. I’ve always respected the advice of Dr Oz. It’s amazing how many big chain grocery stores are getting on the plant based and healthy bandwagon. I’ve taken many screen grabs of your blogs as a reference for later. As always, full of information and inspirations!
I do too! I’m very grateful for those who have paved the way to make a better world for us, in whatever way that may be. Thank you so much for the kind words! I’m glad you’re enjoying and finding some inspiration. We should all be here to inspire each other. ❤️