WASHINGTON--It's a common complaint that doctors know nothing about nutrition. But that is all set to change. The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) is distributing a 900-page nutrition guide to medical students in the United States and Canada free of charge.

The "Nutrition Guide for Clinicians" is a comprehensive manual on nearly 100 diseases and conditions. The guide not only provides basic information on risk factors and typical treatments, but it also provides evidence-based information on the role of nutrition in prevention and treatment. In addition, the guide contains in-depth information on general nutrition, including the roles of macronutrients and micronutrients and specific nutritional requirements for all stages of life.

"Nutrition is key in heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and many other conditions," says Neal Barnard, M.D., nutrition researcher and president of PCRM. "Studies have shown that a wide range of diseases improve dramatically with diet changes."

Beginning in April, the guide will be distributed to the approximately 19,000 second-year medical students in the United States and to other students by request. The distribution to students will take place every year, and the guide will be updated periodically to ensure students are getting the latest information.

The guide was reviewed by more than 75 experts in a number of diverse fields, such as gastroenterology, dermatology, oncology, and nutrition and was compiled by a core team of physicians, nutrition experts, and medical editors.