Food Is Medicine: Reversing Diabetes and Chronic Disease in Native Communities

Chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and depression are devastating Native American communities—but a powerful movement rooted in tradition, plant-based nutrition, and food sovereignty is changing lives. In this episode of The Exam Room Podcast, host Chuck Carroll sits down with former Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez, former First Lady Phefelia Nez, and Food for Life instructor Chelsea Kleinmeyer, RN to explore how Indigenous wisdom and modern lifestyle medicine are coming together to restore health. 🌱 WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE: • Why traditional Indigenous diets were largely plant-based • How Food for Life classes are reversing diabetes and reducing medications • The role food sovereignty plays in healing Native communities • How mental health, culture, and physical health are deeply connected • Why food deserts exist—and how communities are fighting back 🥬 APPLY TO BECOME A FOOD FOR LIFE INSTRUCTOR 👉 https://bit.ly/FFLApply2026 🩺 CSKT Tribal Health 👉 https://www.cskthealth.org 👍 LIKE • SUBSCRIBE • LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW If you feel like your health IQ just went up a notch, help us grow by giving this video a thumbs up and subscribing to this channel. - About Us - The Physicians Committee is dedicated to saving lives through plant-based diets and ethical and effective scientific research. We combine the clout and expertise of more than 17,000 physicians with the dedicated actions of more than 175,000 members across the United States and around the world.