Dr. Walrabenstein is a guest on the (Dutch) radioshow Nieuwsweekend from Omroep Max Radio, NPO Radio 1.
Osteoarthritis and rheumatism are among the most common chronic conditions in our country. The RIVM (National Institute for Public Health and the Environment) predicts that by 2040, 2.3 million people will have osteoarthritis. Dr. Walrabenstein conducts research on how a vegan diet helps combat osteoarthritis and rheumatism. In January 2024, she successfully defended her doctoral thesis at the University of Amsterdam.
Dr. Walrabenstein: "While residing in Italy, I discovered that even in their later years, people there could effortlessly climb mountainous terrains. I discovered that this resilience was not attributable to genetics but rather to their lifestyle, where nutrition played a pivotal role. Approximately two decades ago, I observed Italians consuming minimal unhealthy and unprocessed food. Their pasta servings were modest, featuring fewer fats and more plant-based ingredients. The noteworthy distinction lay in their daily eating habits: reduced snacking and heartier meals. I wanted to know more and this started my career into nutrition and dietetics.”
In a 1980s Norwegian study, the effectiveness of plant-based nutrition for individuals with rheumatoid arthritis was evident. Prof. van Schaardenburg was keen to pursue this research, leading to a perfect collaboration with Wendy Walrabenstein and the inception of the Plants4Joints study.
Listen to Dr. Walrabenstein’s research results in the radiofragment of NPO Radio 1.
our previously published article: Plants for Joints: the Impact of Plant-based Nutrition on your Joints.