Dean Ornish

For the past year and a half, we’ve been creating quarterly episodes centered on a singular theme offered as an RRP Masterclass. These compilation episodes are derived from multiple past guests, and today, we focus our attention on plant-based nutrition.To gain the greatest insight into this topic, my team and I mined wisdom from the most esteemed doctors and the foremost experts in nutrition science that have graced the show—individuals who have direct experience with the impacts of a standard American diet, treatment protocols that include lifestyle changes toward plant fuel, the impact, and reversal of serious cardiovascular issues. The full guest list with links to their full episodes is below.Guest list: #678 – Dr. Gemma Newman #664 – Simon Hill #410 – Dr. Dean Ornish #79 – T. Colin Campbell #522 – Dr. Michael Greger #150 – Dr. Garth Davis #507 – Dr. Michael Klaper #492 – Dr. Neal Barnard #140 – Dr. Robert Ostfeld  #589 – Drs. Dean & Ayesha Sherzai #349 – Dr. Joel Kahn #325 – Dr. Kim Williams #541 – Dr. Alan Goldhamer Show notes + MOREWatch on YouTubeNewsletter Sign-UpPeace + Plants,Rich

Dean Ornish, founder of the Preventive Medicine Research Institute, shares insights on transformative lifestyle changes for improving cognition in early dementia. He discusses groundbreaking research showing significant cognitive enhancements through non-drug interventions. The importance of social support and cognitive engagement is emphasized, highlighting how meaningful conversations can uplift those affected by dementia. Ornish also explores the success of remote clinical trials during the pandemic and the potential for Medicare to cover these life-changing strategies.

Dr. Dean Ornish, a leading physician and researcher in lifestyle medicine, reveals groundbreaking insights into reversing early Alzheimer's through a whole-food, plant-based diet. He shares details from his clinical trial, where 71% of participants experienced cognitive improvement. The discussion highlights the essential roles of exercise, stress management, and social support in enhancing brain health. With nearly 7 million affected by Alzheimer's, Ornish's findings provide hope and empower listeners to adopt transformative lifestyle changes for better cognitive function.

Dr. Dean Ornish, a pioneer in lifestyle medicine and founder of the Preventive Medicine Research Institute, shares insights on heart health and stress reduction through lifestyle changes. He emphasizes the transformative power of community and authentic relationships in fostering well-being. Ornish discusses overcoming chronic diseases through emotional vulnerability and connection, highlighting how happiness stems from within. With a unique blend of diet, exercise, and mindfulness, he advocates for a holistic approach that revolutionizes health.

Today we explore what it truly means to live healthy and well. It's obvious that diet and exercise play a crucial role in this equation. Of course, mental health is key. And we're waking up to the importance of meditation and mindfulness. But what about spirituality? What role do connection, relationships and love play in the wellness equation? And how important is purpose?In truth, attention to all such factors is crucial. Because they are indeed connected. Interdependent. And absolutely necessary to live your best life.Our guides for this discussion are Dean Ornish, MD & Anne Ornish — the world-renown, pioneering power couple of lifestyle medicine.An early advocate and practitioner of preventive medicine long before it was trendy, Dr. Ornish is an absolute legend in the plant-based nutrition movement for his groundbreaking work in the holistic prevention and reversal of chronic lifestyle diseases such as atherosclerosis, America's #1 killer.Perhaps best known as the doctor who assisted President Clinton post heart procedure, Dean was trained in internal medicine at the Baylor College of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, and the prestigious Massachusetts General Hospital. He is currently a Clinical Professor of Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco and the president and founder of the nonprofit Preventive Medicine Research Institute in Sausalito.The author of six best-selling books, Dean was recognized as a “Time 100 Innovator”; by Life magazine as “one of the 50 most influential members of his generation”; by People as “one of the most interesting people of the year”; and by Forbes as “one of the world’s seven most powerful teachers.Highly trained and experienced in lifestyle medicine, yoga therapy, mobile applications and web design, Anne Ornish is extraordinary in her own right. The creator behind Ornish Lifestyle Medicine's digital platform, Anne is the powerhouse behind a new paradigm for health care by way of a groundbreaking program that trains health care professionals to support healthy lifestyle progression, better clinical outcomes, larger cost savings, and better adherence than ever before documented.Together they have co-authored a fantastic new book entitled, Undo It!: How Simple Lifestyle Changes Can Reverse Most Chronic Diseases* — a comprehensive and scientifically proven plan to help you prevent and reverse everything from cancer and diabetes to heart disease, weight gain, and even the aging process itself. A must read, it bookstores everywhere January 8 and is currently available now for pre-order now*.Given Dean and Anne's background, it would be fair to suspect that today’s conversation would be monopolized by diet. Of course we cover nutrition, including the scientific, peer reviewed research supporting the benefits of a plant-based lifestyle and how it measures up against other popular diet and nutrition protocols. But this exchange is also about the myriad of other crucial (and often overlooked or under-appreciated) factors imperative to consider in our personal health, wellness and longevity equation.We discuss the destructive role of stress and anxiety on the immune system.Enjoy!Rich