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International Vegetarian Union · Since 1908

Department of Medicine and Nutrition

Advancing the science of plant-based nutrition through peer-reviewed evidence, professional guidance, and accessible resources for clinicians, families, and communities worldwide.

01 · Our Mission

Built on evidence. Designed for every life stage.

Scientific evidence at the centre

We provide materials demonstrating the nutritional viability of vegetarian and vegan diets across all stages of life — infancy, adolescence, adulthood and senior years — anchored in peer-reviewed scientific literature.

Clinical practice you can trust

We promote medical and nutritional protocols compatible with every form of vegetarian choice, offering security and clarity for health professionals — and the populations they serve.

A global standard, shared worldwide

Our resources are published in multiple languages and disseminated through international partnerships — because evidence-based plant-based nutrition should reach every region, profession, and household.

02 · Department Leadership

Meet the Director

Dr Eric Slywitch, Director of the IVU Department of Medicine and Nutrition
Director

Dr Eric Slywitch

MD · Master's & Doctorate in Nutrition · Specialist in Nutrology, Endocrinology and Clinical Nutrition

Dr Slywitch is a Medical Doctor whose Master's and Doctoral research centred on the metabolic evaluation of vegetarians and omnivores. He holds specialist credentials in Nutrology, Enteral and Parenteral Nutrition, with postgraduate qualifications in Endocrinology, Clinical Nutrition and Psychoanalysis.

Author of three books on vegetarianism in Brazil, he has contributed chapters to the country's leading nutrition reference texts. He teaches across three postgraduate programmes addressing vegetarian nutrition, and runs his own training centre dedicated to metabolic and nutritional assessment — with particular emphasis on the interpretation of laboratory tests for physicians and nutritionists.

03 · Flagship Project

The IVU Guide to Vegan Nutrition for Adults

04 · Strategic Partnerships

Working with leading organisations

01
Regional Representative · Latin America

Vegetarianos Hoy represents the Guide across Latin America, working with its Spanish-language edition — which they themselves produced. Their role is to ensure the Guide reaches universities, professional bodies and health practitioners throughout the region, fostering its institutional adoption.

Vegan Nutrition Articles

Investigative Analysis: The Pitfalls and Biases in Dietary Protein Studies

The Nutrients study under scrutiny reflects a concerning trend in nutritional science: the oversimplification of complex relation…

The Comprehensive Case for Plant-Based Diets: How They Tackle Atherosclerosis, Chronic Diseases, and Metabolic Syndrome

The science is in: if you’re looking for a healthier lifestyle, preventing chronic diseases, and keeping those arteries clear, yo…

The Health Impact of Plant and Animal Fats: A Groundbreaking Study for a Plant-Based Future

What is the impact of consuming plant and animal fats on long-term health? While dietary fats are essential nutrients that play i…

Plant-Based Diets: A Promising Approach to Cognitive Health

The Brain-Boosting Power of Plants The intersection of diet and cognitive health has become a critical area of research, especial…

The Evolution of Pet Diets: Exploring Vegan and Meat-Based Options for Pets

Owner-Reported Palatability Behaviors and Welfare Implications The debate surrounding vegan versus meat-based diets for pets cont…

The Surprising Nutritional Adequacy of Plant-Based Diets: Insights from the Feeding the Future Study

The burgeoning popularity of plant-based diets has sparked both interest and concern about their nutritional completeness. The Fe…