If we accept the 'TLC Diet' as simply a prototype for a healthful, balanced, mostly plant-based diet compatible with the recommendations of the AHA, ADA, ACS, and IOM (apparently, alphabet soup figures prominently in the TLC diet...)- and I think that's reasonable- then the answer is a resounding YES.

I could give numerous examples, citing, for instance the DASH trials, the PREMIER trial, the Lyon Diet Heart study, and so on. But let me just give one example that makes the case:

In the Diabetes Prevention Program, a $174 million clinical trial sponsored by the NIDDK (the institute at NIH that addressed diabetes), roughly 3500 adults with pre-diabetes (ie, on the brink of diabetes) were randomly assigned to usual care; drug treatment with metformin (Glucophage); or a lifestyle intervention which was, for all intents and purposes, a TLC diet and moderate physical activity.

Over a 4-year span, the drug reduced the occurrence of diabetes by 30%. The lifestyle intervention was twice as good- reducing the incidence of diabetes by 58%. So- nearly 2/3 of very high risk adults did not develop diabetes because of a 'TLC diet' combined with moderate physical activity. A recent study looked at the long-term effects of this intervention, and found that living well is the gift that keeps on giving: ten years after the DPP ended, those enrolled in the lifestyle arm are still enjoying a much lower rate of diabetes than their counterparts.

Yes, the TLC diet- and closely related variations on the theme of eating well- make a difference.

I would not worry about the distinction between DASH, the DPP diet, the TLC diet, etc. These are all more alike than different, and all different from the typical American diet in similar ways.

And yes, they work for prevention as well as for treatment.

TLC used to mean 'tender loving care.' Eating well may be among the best ways to give yourself some of that!