Nutrition expert Fuhrman to speak at Amita Design Challenge in Arlington Heights

For the secret to living a longer, healthier life, Dr. Joel Fuhrman says people need not look any further than their own kitchen.

Fuhrman, a New York Times best-selling author and physician for more than 25 years, will bring to the suburbs his message about the importance of nutrition this month when he speaks at the Amita Health Design Challenge in Arlington Heights.

The challenge will bring together 16 teams of college students to brainstorm digital and nondigital solutions for our nation's aging population, their caregivers, doctors and the businesses that interact with them. Tickets for Oct. 16 event at Arlington Intenrational Racecourse are still available at http://events.dailyherald.com/amita-health-design-challenge/. The Daily Herald Media Group is a sponsor.

"This is where health care should be going," said Fuhrman, who is the event's special guest and will be giving a keynote speech. "We all have to do our part to encourage our population to live a healthier life."

Fuhrman has spent most of his career studying how nutrition - rather than medication - can remedy some of our country's largest health problems, such as heart disease, stroke, obesity and diabetes.

"The standard American diet is dangerous. Our fast food and processed food mentality is destroying our country and putting our children at risk," Fuhrman said. "We're putting billions of dollars into medical treatments and technology when the answer is right in the palm of our hands. It's a silent tragedy because so many of these things can be easily solved."

Fuhrman's books, such as "Eat to Live" and "The End of Diabetes," focus on a diet filled with nutrient-rich foods and how to end food addiction.

"We're talking about the quality of what you eat, not the quantity," he said.

Fuhrman said he is looking forward to seeing what innovative ideas come out of the Amita Health Design Challenge. Four teams of finalists will pitch their solutions to a team of judges. The first place team will take home $2,000, second place will win $1,500 and third will win $1,000. Amita is committed to taking at least one of the projects and implementing it with the student team.

College students interested in participating can register at www.amitadesignchallenge.com/.

"It's an uphill battle, but it's a battle that is slowly being won all over the country," Fuhrman said. "It's powerful to know that we can control our health destiny."