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Did you know that you’ve already got a secret weapon at your disposal that can help protect you from COVID-19? Yep, you do — it’s your fork. And today’s podcast guest, Dr Neal Barnard, is here to tell us how to load that fork with the most strategic, nutrient-dense foods on the planet, that can support your immune system and increase your odds of fighting off any virus, whether you’re in a pandemic or not.

Neal Barnard, MD, FACC, is an Adjunct Professor of Medicine at the George Washington University School of Medicine in Washington, DC, and President of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine.

Dr. Barnard has led numerous research studies investigating the effects of diet on diabetes, body weight, and chronic pain, including a groundbreaking study of dietary interventions in type 2 diabetes, funded by the National Institutes of Health, that paved the way for viewing type 2 diabetes as a potentially reversible condition for many patients. He has authored more than 90 scientific publications and 20 books for medical and lay readers, and has hosted four PBS television programs on nutrition and health.

As president of the Physicians Committee, Dr. Barnard leads programs advocating for preventive medicine, good nutrition, and higher ethical standards in research. His research contributed to the acceptance of plant-based diets in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. 

If you’re as much of a nutrition nerd as I am, you’re going to FLIP OUT when you hear this conversation. Dr Barnard brings the most epic, groundbreaking science to this topic, and reveals so much about the interplay between the food on our plates and the health of our cells.

So if you want to learn how to eat your way to exceptional health and peak fertility, protect yourself from the lifestyle diseases that kill millions every year, and stack the odds in your favour during the COVID crisis, then pop in those earbuds IMMEDIATELY… this episode is for you.

In this episode we chat about: 

• The life-changing experience that made him turn vegan on the spot (09:13)
• The shocking truth about wet markets across the globe (12:48)
• The best foods to boost your immune system against ANY virus — including COVID-19 (such fantastic info here) (15:38)
• His epic lifestyle advice to achieve peak health and strengthen your mindset (19:14)
• The hidden factors throwing your hormones out of whack (and how to rebalance them — fast) (24:19)
• The common foods you MUST avoid if you want to bring your body back into balance (31:05)
• Want a pain free period? Avoid these foods at all costs. (Wish I’d known this years ago!) (37:56)
• How animal products could be affecting your fertility (and how to ramp up your odds of falling pregnant) (40:05)
• The ideal foods for fertility and pregnancy, to ensure you and your baby are as epically healthy as possible (43:17)
• Plus so much more!

Episode resources: 

• Plant Proof Podcast (podcast)
• Your Body In Balance by Dr Neal Barnard (Amazon)
• CarbonWorks Youtube Channel (YouTube)
• Happy Herbivore  (website)
• Undo It! by Dr. Dean Ornish (Amazon)
• Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease by Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn (Amazon)
• How Not to Diet by Michael Greger (Amazon)

Thank you so much for listening to this episode. I’m so honored that you’re here and would be so grateful if you could take 2 minutes to leave me a 5-star review in iTunes or on your podcast app, that way we can inspire even more people together.

P.S. Please seek advice from a qualified holistic practitioner before starting any new health practice.

P.P.S. If you’re looking for a high-impact marketing opportunity for your business and are interested in becoming a sponsor for The Melissa Ambrosini Show podcast, please email pr@melissaambrosini.com for more information.