The recipe for good health
A doctor makes a house call, prescribing solid advice on living healthier and longer during this week’s episode of The American Legion Tango Alpha Lima podcast.
Air Force veteran Dr. Laurie Marbas, who deployed to the Middle East and South America, is a double board-certified family medicine and lifestyle medicine physician.
“We’re not a health-care system, we’re a disease-care system,” said Marbas, who has used food as medicine since 2012.
She favors a “wellness journey,” which includes regular exercise, restful sleep and a plant-based diet. It’s part of her science-based approach, which has led Marbas to see her patients decrease their inflammation, lower risk of heart disease and get healthier. One client, for example, lost 350 pounds on a plant-based diet.
“Moving in the general direction of plant based is going to be great,” she advised. “Even if someone feels they can’t go all the way on plant based, at least move in that direction. I think that there is always benefit by adding more fiber.”
Marbas understands that switching diets can be a monumental life change but recommends focusing on the benefits. “Instead of focusing on the deprivation, focus on feeling good. ‘I have tons of energy.’ ‘I sleep better.’ ‘My joints don’t hurt.’ ‘I’m feeling better.’ ‘I don’t get sick as much.’”
Through working with thousands of patients over 12 years, “I have yet to see a patient get worse on a plant-based diet,” she says.
So what does she eat? Jumbo blueberries (her favorite), smoothies, sweet potatoes, beans and more.
A plant-based diet can also improve one’s mental wellness.
“I’m so happy that people are talking about it now,” she said, noting the gut-brain connection. “What’s going on inside our body that is creating brain inflammation? These are going to be the foods.”
She points out plant-based foods create a microbiome that will boost the brain. “We want good gut bacteria. It’s a symbiotic relationship. When we feed it well, it feeds us well.”
When it comes to the question of protein, Marbas noted some of the planet’s largest animals — cows, gorillas, hippos, etc. — all eat plants. “These amazing large animals live and thrive off plants. And so can you.”
Also in this episode co-hosts Stacy Pearsall, Adam Marr and Joe Worley address:
• A pigeon that was suspected of being a Chinese spy.
• The “biggest extension of VA care in generations,” which took effect earlier this month.
• What SEAL actually stands for.
• A police bust that discovered a suspect with crack cocaine and a rocket launcher.
Check out this week’s episode, which is among more than 230 Tango Alpha Lima podcasts available in both audio and video formats here. You can also download episodes on Apple Podcasts, Google Play or other major podcast-hosting sites. The video version is available at the Legion’s YouTube channel.