Plant Prescription Podcast

Muzammil Ahmad, MSc & Cass Warbeck, BSc

Subscribe now to The Plant Prescription Podcast with medical students, Muzammil Ahmad and Cass Warbeck. This podcast is all about helping you live a longer, happier and healthier life with the use of nutrition and lifestyle medicine. IG: Muzammil: @dr.plantbased, Cass: @plant_fueled. Facebook: @theplantprescription read less
Health & FitnessHealth & Fitness

Episodes

Diet and healthy skin, acne, wrinkles, eczema, psoriasis, skin cancer (and more!) with dermatologist Dr. Niyati Sharma
May 3 2021
Diet and healthy skin, acne, wrinkles, eczema, psoriasis, skin cancer (and more!) with dermatologist Dr. Niyati Sharma
Our guest this episode is Dr. Niyati Sharma, a plant-based dermatologist who recently co-founded the first plant-based dermatology practice in Australia! She is a fellow of the Australasian College of Dermatologists and consult dermatologist at several hospitals and medical centers. She has completed a fellowship in pediatric dermatology at Northwestern University, and a Masters in Public Health at John Hopkins University, is a published author in international dermatology literature and has presented her research at dermatological conferences. This is such a fun and important conversation as so many people these days struggle with skin concerns, we talk about everything from acne and eczema to skin cancer and wrinkles! In this episode we cover: Why she became vegan and how she discovered plant-based nutrition How traveling Australia inspired her to specialize in dermatology What the clinical practice of dermatology looks like How diet impacts skin disease Acne treatments and the importance of avoiding dairy What to do if you are vegan and still have trouble with acne Whether soy phytoestrogens affect the skin Treatment for acne scars The connection between diet and eczema Dietary interventions for psoriasis How diet can help with sun spots and skin cancer Her sunscreen recommendations How to prevent and reduce wrinkles If tanning beds increase risk of cancer Other lifestyle factors that influence skin health If you would like to connect with Dr. Sharma, you can find her on Instagram: @dr_vegan Her clinic website, Inside Out Dermatology, is here: http://insideoutderm.com Episode resources: Film: Earthlings  Film: Cowspiracy JAMA Dermatol. 2020: Association between adult acne and dietary behaviours Arch Dermatol. 2002: Acne vulgaris: a disease of Western civilization IJDRP. 2019: Efficacy of a plant-based anti-inflammatory diet as monotherapy for psoriasis Nutritionfacts.org  Thank you for tuning in! Make sure to subscribe to The Plant Prescription Podcast so you get notified when new episodes are published. If you enjoy our material and are listening through Apple Podcasts, please leave us a review as this will help more people discover this podcast. We would love to hear from you guys on what you thought of the episode and what you'd like to hear in the future so please connect with us on Instagram. IG: Muzammil: @dr.plantbased, Cass: @plant_fueled. Facebook: @theplantprescription and @dr.plantbased  Muzammil's website: www.drplantbased.ca and eBook link: www.drplantbased.ca/ebook Music credit: Scott Holmes. *Please appreciate that this information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, always seek the opinion of a physician or qualified healthcare provider!*
Torre Washington, a professional plant-based bodybuilder, discusses his journey, protein intake, training routine, foods he eats and more!
Apr 5 2021
Torre Washington, a professional plant-based bodybuilder, discusses his journey, protein intake, training routine, foods he eats and more!
Joining us today is professional bodybuilder and National Academy of Sports Medicine certified coach, Torre Washington! What makes Torre’s story particularly fascinating is that he was raised as a vegetarian and only ate meat for a short period of time. At the age of 23 he turned to a completely plant-based, vegan lifestyle. When he started training in the gym and getting serious about sculpting his body, he refused to listen when others told him he needed meat to grow bigger and get stronger. In his second ever bodybuilding contest, Torre took first place in his category and first place overall, earning his pro card. And from then on, he never looked back! Today he is passionate about sharing what he has learned over the years with others and is a true inspiration for the vegan community. In this episode we cover: What it was like growing up in Jamaica Growing up as a vegetarian What it means to embrace a Rastafarian lifestyle How a vegan diet enhances his exercise recovery How his fascination with superheroes inspired his bodybuilding journey His experience training for and competing in a bodybuilding show for the first time What his current training routine looks like His thoughts on how cardio fits into a training program Advice for someone who wants to compete What typical eating looks like for him Understanding individual differences in dietary needs Whether he tracks his macronutrient breakdown How much protein he eats each day His thoughts on sport supplements You can connect with Torre on Instagram: @torre.washington, Facebook: @TorreWashingtonOfficial and Twitter: @torrewofficial His website is here: https://torrewashington.com  and his YouTube channel is here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCu8n7P2JWZDZw0Z3_LBAQ8g Thank you for tuning in! Make sure to subscribe to The Plant Prescription Podcast so you get notified when new episodes are published. If you enjoy our material and are listening through Apple Podcasts, please leave us a review as this will help more people discover this podcast. We would love to hear from you guys on what you thought of the episode and what you'd like to hear in the future so please connect with us on Instagram. IG: Muzammil: @dr.plantbased, Cass: @plant_fueled. Facebook: @theplantprescription and @dr.plantbased.Muzammil's website: www.drplantbased.ca and eBook link: www.drplantbased.ca/ebook Music credit: Scott Holmes. *Please appreciate that this information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, always seek the opinion of a physician or qualified healthcare provider!*
Optimal nutrition for children, behavioural change and healthy habit formation with certified pediatrician Dr. Yami
Feb 1 2021
Optimal nutrition for children, behavioural change and healthy habit formation with certified pediatrician Dr. Yami
Today we welcome Dr. Yami Cazorla-Lancaster to the podcast. She is a board-certified pediatrician and certified lifestyle medicine physician, a diplomat for the American College of Cardiology, has a certificate in plant-based nutrition and is a certified Food for Life Instructor. She is so passionate about promoting healthy lifestyles and especially the power of plant-based diets for the prevention of chronic diseases. Dr. Yami strives to educate families on the importance of healthy food choices and shows them how easy and fun it can be! In this episode we cover: Why a plant-based diet can be optimal for children Are plant-based diets sufficient for all stages of life Do children need dairy for strong bones The best type of milk for infants and children If meat is a necessary for protein Children's natural aversion to meat Strategies to teach your children to like healthy food Why parents should not cook separate meals for their children Advice for parents who are worried their children don’t eat enough Should you be worried about soy Whether a plant-based diet stunts growth How to help your child develop a healthy relationship with food Should young children be exposed to allergenic foods Supplements  You can connect with Dr. Yami on Instagram: @thedoctoryami and her YouTube channel can be found at Veggie Doctor TV Her website is here: https://www.doctoryami.com and Dr. Yami is also the founder of VeggieFitKids.com, so be sure to check that out! Episode resources: Dr. Yami’s Podcast: Veggie Doctor Radio Dr. Yami’s Tedx Talk: Chicken to Chickpeas: A 30-Day Experiment Changed my Life Dr. Yami’s book: A Parent’s Guide to Intuitive Eating Book: Born to Run Documentaries: Forks over Knives, The Cove, Earthlings Thank you for tuning in! Make sure to subscribe to The Plant Prescription Podcast so you get notified when new episodes are published. If you enjoy our material and are listening through Apple Podcasts, please leave us a review as this will help more people discover this podcast. We would love to hear from you guys on what you thought of the episode and what you'd like to hear in the future so please connect with us on Instagram. IG: Muzammil: @dr.plantbased, Cass: @plant_fueled. Facebook: @theplantprescription and @dr.plantbased. Music credit: Scott Holmes. *Please appreciate that this information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, always seek the opinion of a physician or qualified healthcare provider!*
Menstrual health, period loss and the role of diet with Crystal Kennings
Jan 4 2021
Menstrual health, period loss and the role of diet with Crystal Kennings
We are joined by Crystal Kennings, a menstrual wellness educator who is passionate about women's health and plant-based nutrition. She is a certified hormone specialist through ITN and currently training to become a menstruality cycle coach. Crystal’s goal is to break the stigma around menstruation by creating a safe space online where anyone can learn about menstrual health and how to support their cycle with a plant-based diet. In this episode we cover: How she became a menstrual wellness educator Menstrual health as a sign of overall health Why you shouldn’t blame a vegan diet for period loss (and what to evaluate if you lose it) How the menstrual cycle can affect workouts Whether food cravings are normal If it’s beneficial to sync nutrition with the menstrual cycle The effect of animal products on hormones Why fibre is so great for hormonal health What to do if you have painful and/or heavy periods Dangers of the “female athlete triad” Her thoughts on birth control You can connect with Crystal on Instagram: @crystalkennings and her YouTube channel is here: https://www.youtube.com/user/crystaalk/featured Episode resources: Book: Skinny Bitch  Video: The best non hormonal birth control options Thank you for tuning in! Make sure to subscribe to The Plant Prescription Podcast so you get notified when new episodes are published. If you enjoy our material and are listening through Apple Podcasts, please leave us a review as this will help more people discover this podcast. We would love to hear from you guys on what you thought of the episode and what you'd like to hear in the future so please connect with us on Instagram. IG: Muzammil: @dr.plantbased, Cass: @plant_fueled. Facebook: @theplantprescription and @dr.plantbased.Music credit: Scott Holmes. *Please appreciate that this information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, always seek the opinion of a physician or qualified healthcare provider!*
Does “eating in moderation” work, food addiction, and going from 420lbs to 140lbs with Chuck Carroll
Dec 18 2020
Does “eating in moderation” work, food addiction, and going from 420lbs to 140lbs with Chuck Carroll
Chuck Carroll, the Weight Loss Champion, joins us today! Chuck truly has an incredible story to share with you all. He once weighed 420 pounds and ultimately went on to lose 280 pounds! He attributes much of his success to the adoption of a whole food, plant-based diet. Chuck then went on to pursue his dreams. You may know him now as the host of the iconic Exam Room Podcast! This conversation is downright inspirational. We hope Chuck’s story will offer hope and light to those who need it and prove to anyone who doubts it, that change is possible! In this episode we cover: How Chuck ended up weighing 420 lbs The influence of his weight on his body image and mental health The events that motivated him to make a change Eating 10,000 calories a day What food addiction feels like Bariatric surgery kickstarting his health journey How he discovered plant-based nutrition His experiences trying different restrictive diets How a plant-based diet helps with weight loss Why eating in “moderation” isn’t the answer and Chuck’s “One Nacho Theory” His advice for anyone who is struggling How his depression has improved since adopting a plant-based diet You can connect with Chuck on Instagram: @chuckcarrollwlc,Twitter: @ChuckCarrollWLC and FaceBook: @weightlosschampion His website is here: https://www.theweightlosschampion.com Episode Resources: Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) The Exam Room Podcast Thank you for tuning in! Make sure to subscribe to The Plant Prescription Podcast so you get notified when new episodes are published. If you enjoy our material and are listening through Apple Podcasts, please leave us a review as this will help more people discover this podcast. We would love to hear from you guys on what you thought of the episode and what you'd like to hear in the future so please connect with us on Instagram. IG: Muzammil: @dr.plantbased, Cass: @plant_fueled. Facebook: @theplantprescription. Music credit: Scott Holmes. *Please appreciate that this information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, always seek the opinion of a physician or qualified healthcare provider.*
Role of diet in rheumatoid arthritis, gout and reducing systemic inflammation with Dr. Micah Yu
Dec 6 2020
Role of diet in rheumatoid arthritis, gout and reducing systemic inflammation with Dr. Micah Yu
Joining us today is Dr. Micah Yu, an integrative rheumatologist who incorporates complementary medicine with traditional rheumatology. Dr. Yu is board certified in internal medicine and lifestyle medicine and holds a Masters in healthcare administration and biomedical sciences. He just completed his rheumatology fellowship at Loma Linda University and is currently taking further courses in functional medicine. He strives to blend traditional with alternative medicine to give the best treatment plans for his patients. In this episode we cover: His experience being diagnosed with three autoimmune diseases and how he discovered plant-based nutrition What exactly rheumatology entails Common symptoms associated with rheumatic diseases and how they’re treated The role of genetics and environmental factors Nutritional effects on rheumatic disease The mechanisms behind why fibre is so health promoting His thoughts on lectins and inflammation The problem with high animal protein diets His thoughts on fish and omega 3s Important lifestyle factors that influence flair-ups The most essential nutritional changes patients with rheumatoid arthritis should make Whether people with gout should avoid plant sources of purines Specific foods that help lower inflammation You can connect with Dr. Yu on Instagram: @myautoimmunemd, Twitter: @myautoimmunemd and Facebook: @MYAutoimmuneMD Dr. Yu and her partner, Dr. Melissa Mondalla have a joint website here: https://www.drlifestyle.org and his personal website is here: https://micahyumd.com Episode resources: Book an appointment with Micah through IOPBM: https://iopbm.com/pages/dr-micah-yu-personal-page Film: Forks over Knives Nutrients. 2019: Uric acid and plant-based nutrition Front Nutr. 2019: Nutrition interventions in rheumatoid arthritis: the potential use of plant-based diets. A review Open Rheumatol J. 2018: Role of diet in influencing rheumatoid arthritis disease activity Arthritis. 2015: Whole foods, plant-based diet alleviates the symptoms of osteoarthritis Thank you for tuning in! Make sure to subscribe to The Plant Prescription Podcast so you get notified when new episodes are published. If you enjoy our material and are listening through Apple Podcasts, please leave us a review as this will help more people discover this podcast. We would love to hear from you guys on what you thought of the episode and what you'd like to hear in the future so please connect with us on Instagram. IG: Muzammil: @dr.plantbased, Cass: @plant_fueled. Facebook: @theplantprescription. Music credit: Scott Holmes. *Please appreciate that this information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, always seek the opinion of a physician or qualified healthcare provider!*
Lifestyle medicine & the role of diet on our health with Dr. Melissa Mondala
Nov 20 2020
Lifestyle medicine & the role of diet on our health with Dr. Melissa Mondala
We are joined in this episode by Dr. Melissa Mondala, a physician board certified in both family medicine and lifestyle medicine. Dr. Mondala is the Director of Primary Care of the newly established Institute of Plant-Based Medicine, in Newport Beach, California and alongside this, serves as family and preventive medicine faculty at Loma Linda University, serves in a lifestyle medicine specialty clinic and inpatient lifestyle medicine service. She is an engaging speaker that brings evidence based methods to combat chronic disease and uplifts potential barriers through self-empowerment and self-compassion. Her mantras are “love yourself through your lifestyle”, “I’m Plantbased without judgment”, and “personalized care is the best healthcare.” In this episode we cover: What inspired her to pursue medicine  How she was introduced to plant-based nutrition The health improvements she experienced personally after changing her diet The five pillars of lifestyle medicine How lifestyle medicine is used in clinical practice Tackling the “low hanging fruits” of lifestyle medicine Which types of patients she helps How she prescribes exercise How much sleep people need and why quality matters Managing stress through mindfulness and perception Strategies to reduce toxin exposure You can connect with Dr. Mandala on Instagram: @melissamondala.md and Facebook: @melissamondala.md Dr. Mondala and her partner, Dr. Micah Yu have a joint website here: https://www.drlifestyle.org and her personal website is here: https://melissamondalamd.com Episode resources: Book an appointment with Melissa through IOPBM: https://iopbm.com/pages/dr-melissa-mondala-personal-page Thank you for tuning in! Make sure to subscribe to The Plant Prescription Podcast so you get notified when new episodes are published. If you enjoy our material and are listening through Apple Podcasts, please leave us a review as this will help more people discover this podcast. We would love to hear from you guys on what you thought of the episode and what you'd like to hear in the future so please connect with us on Instagram. IG: Muzammil: @dr.plantbased, Cass: @plant_fueled. Facebook: @theplantprescription. Music credit: Scott Holmes. *Please appreciate that this information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, always seek the opinion of a physician or qualified healthcare provider!*
From drug addict to vegan Muay Thai fighter: Tyler Gaudon
Nov 6 2020
From drug addict to vegan Muay Thai fighter: Tyler Gaudon
Tyler Gaudon is a Canadian Muay Thai fighter who had his own personal challenges to overcome before he ever stepped foot in the fight ring. He has fought with drug addiction his entire life - yet today he is over 2 and a half years clean and he believes finding martial arts saved his life. He sits down with us to share his experiences and offer advice and support for those actively struggling with addiction. On top of all this, Tyler adopted a vegan diet over a year ago now and he shares with us how going plant-based has influenced his recovery and affected his life as an athlete. In this episode we cover: His first experience with drugs. When he first realized he was an addict. Why he went to rehab for the first time. What drug induced psychosis is like. Why it’s so hard for people to understand why people choose drugs. His passion for being an athlete and how he found Muay Thai. Relapsing before his first fight and going through with it. His thoughts on Alcoholics Anonymous. How Cass (co-host) and Tyler met. Why he went vegan and how it has changed his life. You can connect with Tyler on Instagram: @tylergaudon Episode resources: Film: The Game Changers  Silverback Martial Arts: https://www.goperformancefitnesslab.ca/martial-arts Thank you for tuning in! Make sure to subscribe to The Plant Prescription Podcast so you get notified when new episodes are published. If you enjoy our material and are listening through Apple Podcasts, please leave us a review as this will help more people discover this podcast. We would love to hear from you guys on what you thought of the episode and what you'd like to hear in the future so please connect with us on Instagram.  IG: Muzammil: @dr.plantbased, Cass: @plant_fueled. Facebook: @theplantprescription. Music credit: Scott Holmes. *Please appreciate that this information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, always seek the opinion of a physician or qualified healthcare provider!*
Balancing your hormones with Dr. Neal Barnard
Oct 28 2020
Balancing your hormones with Dr. Neal Barnard
Our guest today is truly a force for the plant-based community: Dr. Neal Barnard. He is the founder of Barnard Medical Center, an Adjunct Professor of Medicine at the George Washington University School of Medicine, a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology, and the president of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. PCRM is a nonprofit organization that advocates for preventative medicine and higher ethical standards in research and medical training. Dr. Barnard has revolutionized the nutritional treatment approach to type 2 diabetes with his federally funded diabetes research and he has authored more than 90 scientific publications and 19 books. In this episode we cover: How he discovered diet plays a role in hormonal health Why medications should not always be first line therapy How diet can be used to treat insulin resistance The role of diet in type 1 diabetes Why erectile dysfunction is known as the “canary in the coal mine” and how diet can help Food, mood, and depression How doctors can support a patient’s ability to make nutrition changes Thyroid disease and diet Soy’s effect on breast cancer Which types of cancer are influenced by diet How hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms can be improved What you can do to avoid developing a hormone related condition Connect with Dr. Barnard on Instagram: @drnealbarnard, Twitter: @DrNealBarnard and Facebook: @NealBarnardMD Be sure to check out the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine at: pcrm.org and on Instagram: @physicianscommittee PCRM’s Nutrition Guide for Clinicians is available online, here: https://nutritionguide.pcrm.org/nutritionguide Episode Resources: Dr. Barnard’s latest book: Your Body in Balance Am J Clin Nutr. 2009: A low-fat vegan diet and a conventional diabetes diet in the treatment of type 2 diabetes: a randomized, controlled 74-week clinical trial Am J Health Promot. 2015: A multicenter randomized controlled trial of a nutrition intervention program in a multiethnic adult population in the corporate setting reduces depression and anxiety and improves quality of life: the GEICO study Thank you for tuning in! Make sure to subscribe to The Plant Prescription Podcast so you get notified when new episodes are published. If you enjoy our material and are listening through Apple Podcasts, please leave us a review as this will help more people discover this podcast. We would love to hear from you guys on what you thought of the episode and what you'd like to hear in the future so please connect with us on Instagram. IG: Muzammil: @dr.plantbased, Cass: @plant_fueled. Facebook: @theplantprescription. Music credit: Scott Holmes.*Please appreciate that this information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, always seek the opinion of a physician or qualified healthcare provider!*
Spice up your life with "Food as Medicine" Practitioner Kanchan Koya, PhD
Oct 20 2020
Spice up your life with "Food as Medicine" Practitioner Kanchan Koya, PhD
Our guest today is Kanchan Koya and we’re taking a deep dive with her into the power of spices. Kanchan combines her PhD in Molecular Biology from Harvard University and training from the Institute of Integrative Nutrition to bring the power of spices to kids and families. She is the author of Spice Spice Baby, a cookbook designed to educate families on the science-backed health benefits of spices and show how easily they can be incorporated into nutritious and delicious meals. Kanchan is also a “Food as Medicine” Practitioner and coaches clients to improve their health using food and lifestyle changes. In this episode we cover: How she became passionate so about spices Why spices are so powerful The mechanisms behind spices and disease prevention How turmeric fights inflammation Why spice blends may be more powerful than single spices The top spices Kanchan thinks should be in your life Ways to incorporate spices into meals Fresh vs dried and cooked vs raw Which spices should be consumed together Why she wrote Spice, Spice Baby  You can connect with Kanchan on Instagram: @chiefspicemama and Twitter: @KKoya  Her website is here: https://www.spicespicebaby.com Episode Resources: Book: Spice, Spice Baby: 100 Recipes with Healing Spice for your Family Table  Kanchan’s Podcast: Momlight Thank you for tuning in! Make sure to subscribe to The Plant Prescription Podcast so you get notified when new episodes are published. If you enjoy our material and are listening through Apple Podcasts, please leave us a review as this will help more people discover this podcast. We would love to hear from you guys on what you thought of the episode and what you'd like to hear in the future so please connect with us on Instagram. IG: Muzammil: @dr.plantbased, Cass: @plant_fueled. Facebook: @theplantprescription. Music credit: Scott Holmes. *Please appreciate that this information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, always seek the opinion of a physician or qualified healthcare provider!*
Nutrition and Heart Disease with a cardiologist and former president of American College of Cardiology, Dr. Kim Williams
Oct 12 2020
Nutrition and Heart Disease with a cardiologist and former president of American College of Cardiology, Dr. Kim Williams
We are joined by the former president of the American College of Cardiology, Dr. Kim Williams. Vegan since 2003, he has been a prominent figure in advocating for the role of a plant-based diet in the cardiology field. Dr. Williams is quite well known for his famous quote: “There are two kinds of cardiologists: vegans and those who haven’t read the data.” We cover: His prowess as a tennis player & why he became vegan Modifiable risk factors for COVID-19 Protecting children early The role of sugar, sat fat & cholesterol How heme iron (found in meat) oxidizes cholesterol His thoughts on coconut oil, fish oil, & dairy Reversal of heart disease The role of statins High HDL & mortality You can connect with Dr. Williams on Twitter: @cardio10s and through his RUSH Website Episode Resources: J Am Coll Cardiol 70(4) (healthy PDD) J Am Coll Cardiol 60(25):2631-9 (LDL Mendelian) Am J Epidemiology 173(3):319-329 (NHS mortality risk) JAMA Intern Med 174(4):516-24 (sugar and CVD) NEJM 378:e34 (Med diet w oil/nuts) J Am Coll Cardiol 70(4):411-422 (healthy vs unhealthy PBD) Am J Lifestyle Med 2019 (industry & cholesterol) IJDRP 2(1) (egg on your face) Am J Clin Nutr 100(1):320S-328S (PREDIMED) Am J Clin Nutr 110(1):24-33 (red vs white meat) JAMA 317(9):912-924 (diet & mortality) Circulation 141:803-814 (coconut oil) JAMA 176(10):1453-1463 (animal vs plant protein) Lancet 336(8708):129-33 (Ornish 1) JAMA 280(23):2001-7 (Ornish 2) J Family Prac 63(7):356-364 (Esselstyn) JAMA 316(22):2373-2384 (GLAGOV) Eur Heart J 38(32):2478-2486 (HDL & mortality) IJDRP 2(1) (amino acid def) Dr. Belardo: Green/yellow/red light nutrition Thank you for tuning in! Make sure to subscribe to the Plant Prescription Podcast so you get notified when new episodes are published. IG: Muzammil: @dr.plantbased, Cass: @plant_fuel
Self-compassion and navigating chronic diseases (like celiac disease) with Dr. Justine Dowd, PhD
Sep 30 2020
Self-compassion and navigating chronic diseases (like celiac disease) with Dr. Justine Dowd, PhD
We are joined by a guest from Calgary, Alberta today: Dr. Justine Dowd, a researcher passionate about empowering others to heal themselves holistically. Justine's fascination with the psychology of behaviour change led her to complete a PhD in Health Psychology. However, she met an unexpected challenge when she discovered she had celiac disease immediately before beginning her doctoral studies. This diagnosis would not only influence Justine’s lifestyle but also shape her future. This experience has fueled her passion for her research on dietary behaviours of people living with celiac disease. In addition, Justine believes strongly in, and has also researched, the power of self compassion to help achieve optimal wellness and manage chronic disease. Combining her personal experiences and scientific knowledge Justine frequently leads holistic health seminars and coaches people one on one to find natural solutions for their health challenges. In this episode we cover: Her own experience being diagnosed with celiac disease The difficulty in navigating a gluten-free diet and struggling with IBS Aspects of life that are impacted by a celiac disease diagnosis How much gluten people with celiac disease can actually tolerate Why a gluten free diet sometimes isn’t enough to alleviate symptoms The importance of sleep Her favourite strategies for stress management The key components of self compassion How to incorporate self compassion into your life How exercise can positively affect the gut microbiota of people with celiac disease You can connect with Justine on Instagram: @justinedowd.phd and Facebook: @JustineDowdPhd Her website is here: https://www.justinedowd.ca If you have celiac disease, consider downloading the MyHealthyGut app that Justine co-created! Episode Resources: J Clin Psychol. 2013: A pilot study and randomized controlled trial of the mindful self-compassion program Appl Physiol Nutr Metab. 2020: Feasibility and effects on the gut microbiota of a 12-week high intensity interval training plus lifestyle education intervention on inactive adults with celiac disease Restaurant (Bragg Creek, AB): The Heart of Bragg Creek Justine’s Books: You’ve Got This, Healthy Mama and You’ve Got This, Mama, Too Thank you for tuning in! Make sure to subscribe to The Plant Prescription Podcast so you get notified when new episodes are published. If you enjoy our material and are listening through Apple Podcasts, please leave us a review as this will help more people discover this podcast. We would love to hear from you guys on what you thought of the episode and what you'd like to hear in the future so please connect with us on Instagram. IG: Muzammil: @dr.plantbased, Cass: @plant_fueled. Facebook: @theplantprescription. Music credit: Scott Holmes. *Please appreciate that this information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, always seek the opinion of a physician or qualified healthcare provider!*
The truth behind dairy: Hormones, pus, whey, casein, addictive nature, bioaccumulation of toxins, and more with Dr. Vivian Chen
Sep 23 2020
The truth behind dairy: Hormones, pus, whey, casein, addictive nature, bioaccumulation of toxins, and more with Dr. Vivian Chen
We’re joined today by Dr. Vivian Chen, an integrative health practitioner and a medical doctor, who truly believes that food is medicine. Dr. Chen trained as a doctor in the UK practicing as a family physician. Her own struggles with health and well-being led her to discover the power of food and the role of lifestyle medicine in disease prevention and treatment. These days, Dr. Chen runs her own company, Plateful Health, where she helps her clients take back their health and live the life they deserve. In this episode we cover: The experience with her newborn daughter that led her to question the health effects of dairy Lactose intolerance vs dairy allergies Effects of hormones naturally found in dairy The contribution of cheese and milk to saturated fat intake Bioaccumulation of environmental toxins The fact there is actual pus in milk Why dairy is physically addicting The myth that dairy is essential for strong bones (and how it may even increase fracture risk) The best plant-based sources of calcium (and the role of plant-based milks) The health effects of whey and casein Whether lactose-free and A2 milk are better alternatives mTOR, dairy, and the cancer connection The role of dairy in constipation, type 1 diabetes, acne, and heart disease You can connect with Dr. Chen on Instagram: @plateful.health and her website is here: https://www.platefulhealth.com Episode Resources: BMJ 2014: Milk intake and risk of mortality and fractures in women and men: cohort studies Osteoporos Int. 2009: Veganism, bone mineral density, and body composition: a study in Buddhist nuns NEJM 2020: Milk and Health Thank you for tuning in! Make sure to subscribe to The Plant Prescription Podcast so you get notified when new episodes are published. If you enjoy our material and are listening through Apple Podcasts, please leave us a review as this will help more people discover this podcast. We would love to hear from you guys on what you thought of the episode and what you'd like to hear in the future so please connect with us on Instagram. IG: Muzammil: @dr.plantbased, Cass: @plant_fueled. Facebook: @theplantprescription. Music credit: Scott Holmes. *Please appreciate that this information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, always seek the opinion of a physician or qualified healthcare provider!*
Lab grown meat, global effects of shifting towards eating plant-based, and the story behind Plant Based News with Robbie Lockie
Sep 6 2020
Lab grown meat, global effects of shifting towards eating plant-based, and the story behind Plant Based News with Robbie Lockie
Our guest today is Robbie Lockie, an inspiring changemaker and one of the co-founders behind Plant Based News, a global news platform for all the up to date plant-based and vegan news. He has worked with a variety of ethical brands, gives public talks, helped co-produce a short documentary, and been involved with the production of vegan ads and online campaigns. Robbie is such a force for the plant-based and vegan movement. He even initiated World Plant Milk Day, a day dedicated to promoting dairy alternatives on August 22! We hope you enjoy this conversation! In this episode we cover: Robbie’s childhood and his move to London The experiences that led him to try a plant-based diet and become vegan Why he was inspired to become an advocate for the vegan movement How Plant-Based News came into existence and what growth has looked like The problem with meat eating being an expression of masculinity His thoughts on plant-based meats and fast food restaurants offering vegan alternatives His thoughts on “lab meat” or cellular agriculture Why shifting to a more plant-based economy will benefit global society The future for Plant Based News You can connect with Robbie on Instagram: @robbie_lockie, Facebook: @veganchangemaker and Twitter: @robbielockie Follow Plant-Based News on Instagram: @plantbasednews and Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/plantbasednews/ The main Plant-Based News website is here: https://www.plantbasednews.org and YouTube channel is here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJRjK20fHylJyf-HiBtqI2w Episode Resources: Film: Forks over Knives Film: Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead Film: Food Inc. Film: Earthlings Thank you for tuning in! Make sure to subscribe to The Plant Prescription Podcast so you get notified when new episodes are published. If you enjoy our material and are listening through Apple Podcasts, please leave us a review as this will help more people discover this podcast. We would love to hear from you guys on what you thought of the episode and what you'd like to hear in the future so please connect with us on Instagram. IG: Muzammil: @dr.plantbased, Cass: @plant_fueled. Facebook: @theplantprescription. Music credit: Scott Holmes.
The health effects of chicken and eggs put to the test with Dr. Michael Greger
Aug 31 2020
The health effects of chicken and eggs put to the test with Dr. Michael Greger
This episode features the incredible Dr. Michael Greger, physician, internationally recognized public speaker, and New York Times bestselling author of multiple books including the popular How Not to Die and most recently How to Survive a Pandemic. He is the creator of the nonprofit charity, NutritionFacts.org and a founding member and fellow of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine. We were honoured to share this time with Dr. Greger and took a deep dive into all things chicken and eggs! In this episode we cover: Why there is so much confusion surrounding the health effects of eggs How the egg industry designs misleading studies What to keep in mind when interpreting studies The effects of choline and cholesterol on health Whether egg whites have a place in a healthy diet Which diseases eggs are associated with If chicken is really a healthy choice when it comes to animal protein The true saturated fat and sodium content of chicken How chickens are linked with antibiotic resistance The connection between chicken and urinary tract infections and lymphoma Why the chicken industry may be the cause of the next global pandemic You can find Dr. Greger on Instagram: @michaelgregermd and @nutrition_facts_org, Facebook: @NutritionFacts.org and Twitter: @nutrition_facts And be sure to check out nutritionfacts.org for the latest in clinical nutrition! Episode resources: Book: How Not to Die Book: How to Survive a Pandemic Video: How the Egg Board Designs Misleading Studies Video: Egg Industry Response to Choline & TMAO Video: Eggs, Choline, & Cancer JAMA Intern Med. 2020: Association between plant and animal protein intake and overall and cause-specific mortality JAMA. 2019: Associations of dietary cholesterol or egg consumption with incident cardiovascular disease and mortality Int J Cancer. 2016: Associations between unprocessed red and processed meat, poultry, seafood and egg intake and the risk of prostate cancer: A pooled analysis of 15 prospective cohort studies Thank you for tuning in! Make sure to subscribe to The Plant Prescription Podcast so you get notified when new episodes are published. If you enjoy our material and are listening through Apple Podcasts, please leave us a review as this will help more people discover this podcast. We would love to hear from you guys on what you thought of the episode and what you'd like to hear in the future so please connect with us on Instagram. IG: Muzammil: @dr.plantbased, Cass: @plant_fueled. Facebook:
Optimize brain health and prevent Alzheimer's & dementia with neurologists Drs. Dean & Ayesha Sherzai
Aug 24 2020
Optimize brain health and prevent Alzheimer's & dementia with neurologists Drs. Dean & Ayesha Sherzai
This episode features the incredible powerhouse husband and wife couple of Drs Dean and Ayesha Sherzai, two neurologists who are passionate about cutting-edge brain science and educating people on how to prevent cognitive diseases and achieve long term health and wellness. They are both co-directors of the Alzheimer’s Prevention Program at Loma Linda University Medical Center. In this episode we cover: How Dean and Ayesha met Why they coined the term preventative neurology The role of genes vs lifestyle Underlying mechanisms behind Alzheimer’s disease development How to prevent Alzheimer’s The dietary pattern best for brain health The type of fats the brain needs Eggs, coconut oil, avocado, olive oil and brain health Why Paleo and ketogenic diets may not be optimal How we should be evaluating nutritional research Carbohydrates as brain fuel Their thoughts on recent studies showing vegan diets are “bad for brain health” Diet and migraines The importance of exercise, stress management, and sleep You can Dean & Ayesha on Instagram: @teamsherzaimd,Twitter: @TeamSherzai, FaceBook: @TeamSherzaiMD Their website is here: https://teamsherzai.com and YouTube channel is here: https://www.youtube.com/teamsherzai And be sure to pick up a copy of their book, The Alzheimer’s Solution Episode Resources: J Neurol Sci. 2018: Insulin resistance and cognitive test performance in elderly adults: National health and nutrition examination survey (NHANES) Epidemiol. 2013: Mediterranean diet and cognitive function in older age: results from the Women’s Health Study Arch Neurol. 2003: Dietary fats and the risk of incident Alzheimer disease (Chicago Health and Aging Project) Dement Geriatr Cogn Disord. 2009: Midlife serum cholesterol and increased risk of Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia three decades later (Kaiser Permanente database) @thesciencekids on Instagram Thank you for tuning in! Make sure to subscribe to The Plant Prescription Podcast so you get notified when new episodes are published. If you enjoy our material and are listening through Apple Podcasts, please leave us a review as this will help more people discover this podcast. We would love to hear from you guys on what you thought of the episode and what you'd like to hear in the future so please connect with us on Instagram. IG: Muzammil: @dr.plantbased, Cass: @plant_fueled. Facebook: @theplantprescription. Music credit: Scott Holmes.
Cholesterol and saturated fat, keeping healthy eating inexpensive, and practicing Lifestyle Medicine with Dr. Michelle McMacken
Aug 4 2020
Cholesterol and saturated fat, keeping healthy eating inexpensive, and practicing Lifestyle Medicine with Dr. Michelle McMacken
Dr. Michelle McMacken is an internal medicine physician and assistant professor of medicine at NYU School of Medicine. After attending a lifestyle medicine conference in 2013, she was inspired to integrate lifestyle changes and a whole food, plant-based diet into her clinical practice. She works tirelessly to educate patients and health care professionals alike, is the author of multiple research articles, and speaks regularly at medical conferences. Dr. McMacken is also the director of the NYC Health and Hospitals/Bellevue Plant-Based Lifestyle Medicine Program.  In this episode we cover: How she transitioned into medicine from being an English major Discovering lifestyle medicine and integrating it into her practice Why physicians should not assume patients are not willing to change How she discusses food and diet with her patients All about The Plant-Based Lifestyle Medicine Program at NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue Common nutrition myths Optimal protein sources and why protein combining isn't necessary How a plant-based diet can be cost effective Talking nutrition with patients below the poverty line The relationship between dietary cholesterol, saturated fat, and LDL cholesterol Why it's ok if your HDL drops when you go plant-based Remission of type 2 diabetes in patients who adopt a whole food, plant-based diet You can connect with Dr. McMacken on Instagram: @veg_md and Twitter: @Veg_MD Information about the Plant-Based Lifestyle Medicine Program is here: https://www.nychealthandhospitals.org/bellevue/health-care-services/plant-based-lifestyle-medicine-program/ Episode resources: Front Nutr. 2019: An economic gap between recommended healthy food patterns and existing diets of minority groups in the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2013-14 ACC Expert Analysis: Quality Over Quantity: The Role of HDL Cholesterol Efflux Capacity in Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Drugs Context. 2018: High-density lipoprotein (HDL) functionality and its relevance to atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease J Am Coll Cardiol. 2006: Consumption of Saturated Fat Impairs the Anti-Inflammatory Properties of High-Density Lipoproteins and Endothelial Function EAT Lancet Summary Report Canada’s Food Guide Thank you for tuning in! Make sure to subscribe to The Plant Prescription Podcast so you get notified when new episodes are published. If you enjoy our material and are listening on Apple Podcasts, please leave us a review as this will help more people discover this podcast. We would love to hear from you guys on what you thought of the episode and what you'd like to hear in the future so please connect with us on Instagram. IG: Muzammil: @dr.plantbased, Cass: @plant_fueled. Facebook: @theplantprescription. Music credit: Scott Holmes.
Seb Alex discusses human rights, animal rights and speciesism in the animal agriculture industry
Jul 27 2020
Seb Alex discusses human rights, animal rights and speciesism in the animal agriculture industry
Seb Alex, an animal rights activist, joins us today. Seb was born and raised in Lebanon and later moved to Europe to pursue a career in sustainable architecture. However, after a year in the corporate world, he made the bold decision to step away from that life and follow the path of his heart: to spend all his time advocating for the animals. Now he advocates through social media, helps organize grassroots events and gives presentations across the globe on veganism, animal exploitation, speciesism, and sustainability. Seb truly has the most beautiful, kind soul, and we were grateful to share this conversation with him. In this episode we cover: Seb’s childhood and growing up in Lebanon Why he initially became vegan and eventually a vegan activist What is veganism? Common logical fallacies people use to justify eating animals Why milk is also called “white blood” and how dairy is unethical What the egg industry does to male chicks Industry practices that are considered “humane” The truth behind “grass fed beef” and “free range eggs” Why it is harmful and unnatural for chickens to produce eggs daily What is a sentient being and what is speciesism? Why cultural differences do not justify immoral practices How supporting the honey industry doesn’t help the environment How farmers are not the problem, public demand is The subsidies given to animal agriculture Human rights violations in slaughterhouses The impact of slaughterhouses on the surrounding communities Seb’s love of ice baths If you would like to connect with Seb, you can find him on Instagram: @seb.alex and FaceBook: @sebalexactivism His website is here: https://www.sebalex.org and his YouTube channel is here: https://www.youtube.com/sebalex And be sure to download a copy of Seb’s FREE ebook, When Animals and Logic Meet. It is available here: https://www.sebalex.org/ebook Episode Resources: Film: Dominion (YouTube) Film: Okja (Netflix) Film: What the Health Video: Meet your Meat Article: Slaughterhouse Workers (Food Empowerment Project) Thank you for tuning in! Make sure to subscribe to The Plant Prescription Podcast so you get notified when new episodes are published. If you enjoy our material and are listening through Apple Podcasts, please leave us a review as this will help more people discover this podcast. We would love to hear from you guys on what you thought of the episode and what you'd like to hear in the future so please connect with us on Instagram. IG: Muzammil: @dr.plantbased, Cass: @plant_fueled. Facebook: @theplantprescription. Music credit: Scott Holmes.
The nutrition we wish we learned in medical school with Dr. Klaper
Jul 22 2020
The nutrition we wish we learned in medical school with Dr. Klaper
Today we are honoured to bring you Dr. Michael Klaper. Dr. Klaper is a strong proponent of utilizing a whole food, plant-based diet and balanced lifestyle to help patients achieve optimal health and truly heal disease instead of just treating the symptoms. He is passionate about educating health care professionals, physicians, and especially medical students. Dr. Klaper helped form the Moving Medicine Forward initiative and in what he considers the most important work of his career, he now lectures at medical schools teaching students how to use plant-predominant nutrition and lifestyle to heal their patients. In this episode we cover: His experience in medical school that inspired him to adopt a plant-based diet Becoming plant-based and removing all violence from his life Telling a patient for the first time to stop their medication What runs through your bloodstream following a meat-based meal His Moving Medicine Forward initiative to educate future physicians How most diseases can be healed instead of simply treated His thoughts on consuming fish The difference between fats coming from plant vs animal sources Why there is such a thing as too much protein If organic produce is necessary for health benefits The effect soy phytoestrogens have on the body The effect real estrogens (found in dairy) have on the body How to start changing your eating habits (and those of your patients) If you would like to connect with Dr. Klaper, you can find him on FaceBook: @michaelklapermd and Instagram: @doctorklaper  His website is here: https://www.doctorklaper.com and YouTube channel is here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJRelOFC3i5aJBobazfaonA Episode Resources: Find a plant-based physician: plantbaseddoctors.org or https://plantbaseddocs.com Plant-Based Telehealth Moving Medicine Forward initiative The True Health Initiative TrueNorth Health Center Video: What I Wish I Learned About Nutrition in Medical School Dr. Michael Klaper TEDx Talk: The Most Powerful Strategy for Healing People and the Planet Register for Dr. Klaper’s Master Class in Plant-based Clinical Nutrition Thank you for tuning in! Make sure to subscribe to The Plant Prescription Podcast so you get notified when new episodes are published. If you enjoy our material and are listening through Apple Podcasts, please leave us a review as this will help more people discover this podcast. We would love to hear from you guys on what you thought of the episode and what you'd like to hear in the future so please connect with us on Instagram. IG: Muzammil: @dr.plantbased, Cass: @plant_fueled. Facebook: @theplantprescription. Music credit: Scott Holmes.
Being fiber fueled and optimizing your gut microbiome with Dr. Will Bulsiewicz
Jul 17 2020
Being fiber fueled and optimizing your gut microbiome with Dr. Will Bulsiewicz
Dr. Will Bulsiewicz (aka Dr. B) joins us today for an information packed conversation all about gut health, the gut microbiome, and why fibre is so important! After following the research and using plant-based nutrition to turn his own health around, he started sharing this knowledge with his patients and with the world. Dr. B truly practices medicine based on cutting edge, evidence-based research to help his patients not just treat the symptoms of their conditions, but get to the root underlying cause and fix it for good. In this episode we cover: Where his passion for nutrition came from and falling in love with fibre What gastroenterology entails How he incorporates plant-based nutrition into his practice What the gut microbiome is How our microbes contribute to gut health and overall health How diet changes the gut microbiome  The importance of fiber and why we need to eat a wide variety of plant foods Why short chain fatty acids are so great How animal products negatively impact gut health Prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics The microbiome’s role in body weight and metabolism Gut dysbiosis and autoimmune diseases The gut-brain connection “Superfoods” for gut health What a healthy bowel movement routine should look like The story behind the cover of his new book, Fiber Fueled Why you need a bidet If you would like to connect with Dr. B, you can find him on Instagram: @theguthealthmd and his website is here: https://theplantfedgut.com You can register for his upcoming course here: https://the-plant-fed-life.teachable.com/p/sales-page Finally, be sure to pick up a copy of his new book, Fiber Fueled, available wherever books sold! Episode Resources: Nature 2014: Diet Rapidly and Reproducibly Alters the Human Gut Microbiome mSystems 2018: American Gut: an Open Platform for Citizen Science Microbiome Research Science 2013: Cultured gut microbiota from twins discordant for obesity modulate adiposity and metabolic phenotypes in mice Thank you for tuning in! Make sure to subscribe to The Plant Prescription Podcast so you get notified when new episodes are published. If you enjoy our material and are listening through Apple Podcasts, please leave us a review as this will help more people discover this podcast. We would love to hear from you guys on what you thought of the episode and what you'd like to hear in the future so please connect with us on Instagram. IG: Muzammil: @dr.plantbased, Cass: @plant_fueled. Facebook: @theplantprescription. Music credit: Scott Holmes.