Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine

A new study published in Nutrition & Metabolism by Physicians Committee researchers finds that replacing animal products with plant-based foods—even ultra-processed options like soy milk and plant-based meats—can lead to significant weight loss. Participants in a 16-week study who adopted a low-fat, plant-based diet lost an average of 13 pounds and improved their metabolism and cardiometabolic risk factors, while the control group saw no significant changes. Key predictors of weight loss included reducing processed, unprocessed, and ultra-processed animal foods, which resulted in lower calorie and fat intake, higher fiber intake, and an increase in calorie burn from after-meal metabolism. Read more about the findings:

Federally funded animal experiments cost taxpayers billions, harm millions of animals, and do little to advance human health. Yet, they continue with little transparency or accountability. In a recent bipartisan congressional hearing, Physicians Committee research policy director Elizabeth Baker, Esq., testified on the need to redirect funding toward human-relevant research methods—such as organoids, organ chips, and computational models—that better predict human outcomes. With billions spent on animal experiments and no cures for common diseases like Alzheimer’s, Congress must take decisive action by: Cutting funding for failed animal studies—like Wayne State’s $15 million heart failure experiments on dogs Passing the CARGO Act to prevent taxpayer dollars from funding animal testing overseas Investing in modern, nonanimal scientific approaches that offer real solutions for patients The future of science is human-based—it’s time for federal research priorities to reflect that. Read the full article here:

Traveling soon? ?? Dietitian Xavier Toledo from the Physicians Committee spent months researching the best airports for plant-based diets! Tune in for his tips and recommendations:

A Historic Leap in Brain Imaging Technology: After nearly 20 years of research and development, scientists have built the world’s most powerful MRI machine—the 11.7 Tesla (T) Iseult MRI—capable of safely scanning human brains at unprecedented resolution. Why does this matter? This breakthrough opens new frontiers in neuroscience: Unlocking detailed insights into brain function and disease Advancing the study of Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, Parkinson’s, and stroke Providing better prevention and treatment strategies With human safety confirmed, this next-generation MRI technology is set to redefine brain research, help millions suffering from neurological diseases, and help scientists move further away from animal-based research methods. Learn more about this advancement in medical imaging and neuroscience:

A recent study using a human brain tissue model found that repetitive head trauma can reactivate the herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1), potentially triggering Alzheimer’s-like changes. This human-based research provides vital insights into the long-term effects of head injuries, particularly for athletes and individuals exposed to repeated trauma. Read the full study here:

If you’ve seen them popping up in recent headlines, you might be wondering what "transgenic mice" even are... Here’s the lowdown! Each year, millions of transgenic mice are used in medical research. Despite billions in funding from the NIH, these animals fail to reliably model human diseases like cancer and Alzheimer’s. Species differences make it impossible to accurately replicate drug metabolism, immune function, and disease progression in these mice, who have their DNA altered in hopes of learning about the function of genes or attempting to model human diseases. However, these mice are extremely poor models for human disease.? Instead of transgenic mice, scientists can turn to human-relevant, non-animal methods like organoids, tissue chips, and AI-driven models. These innovative technologies provide more accurate, effective, and ethical solutions for medical research. https://lnkd.in/eYwSz5s8

Bridging the Gap in Toxicology Training: The way we test chemicals for safety is evolving, moving away from outdated animal experiments toward modern, human-relevant methods. However, many toxicology education and certification programs still prioritize traditional animal-based testing, leaving scientists without the training needed to adopt better alternatives. In a new Toxicology Letters article, Physicians Committee scientist Eryn Slankster-Schmierer, PhD highlights how our NURA (New Approach Methodology Use for Regulatory Application) training program is providing scientists, regulators, and method developers with the resources they need to make this transition. This shift is critical for advancing public health and regulatory science. To expand accessibility, NURA’s programming now includes courses available in English and Spanish. Learn more:

Celebrating the Physicians Committee’s Impact at Fort Myers VegFest! This past weekend, Hana Kahleova, MD, PhD, MBA spoke at VegFest in Fort Myers, Fla., sharing insights on how a plant-based diet can optimize metabolism and improve overall health. Her presentation explored key strategies like meal timing, the ideal number of meals per day, and the importance of food choices in supporting metabolic function. With her extensive background in nutrition and metabolic research, Dr. Kahleova offered practical guidance on using diet to enhance health and longevity. Events like VegFest provide a platform to connect with communities, share cutting-edge research, and empower people with evidence-based knowledge to take charge of their health. We’re proud to have Dr. Kahleova represent us at this event and share the power of plant-based nutrition!

Tomorrow, join us live and receive 1 CEU for RDs and NDTRs. This webinar will explore navigating life with diabetes, highlighting the critical role of language and communication, and examine how emotions and diet culture shape self-perception and impact self-worth. https://lnkd.in/eEaxyj5E

The tribute to Gene Hackman at the Oscars was a powerful reminder of his legacy. ? As an Oscar-winning actor, Gene often used his platform to speak up for animals. ? In 2010, he partnered with the Physicians Committee to help save 200 chimpanzees?whom?the National Institutes of Health wanted to move out of semi-retirement in Alamogordo,?N.M., to an active experimentation facility in Texas. Many of these chimpanzees were over 30 years old and already suffering from health issues due to decades of confinement in laboratories and previous use in studies. ? “Scientists around the world have largely stopped experimenting on chimpanzees, in part because these animals just haven’t proven to be good models for human health research,” Gene said in his plea to the NIH. ? “These astonishingly intelligent animals have given their lives to research and should be retired.” ? His advocacy helped stop the transfer of the Alamogordo chimpanzees and kickstart a scientific review process that eventually convinced the NIH to stop funding all chimpanzee experimentation in 2015. ? But while many chimpanzees made it to sanctuaries, dozens remained in limbo at the facility in?Alamogordo. Those individuals, who had spent years in barren lab conditions, still faced an uncertain future. ? The fight to move them to sanctuary continued for nearly a decade—until late last year, when the NIH finally agreed to transfer the remaining Alamogordo chimpanzees to the sanctuary Chimp Haven in Louisiana. After years of advocacy, these chimpanzees will now have the space and freedom to live out their remaining years in an environment that meets their physical, mental, and emotional needs. ? We will forever be grateful to Gene for using his voice to create a more compassionate world. His impact will not be forgotten.