In this episode of the Health Science podcast, Dr. Frank Sabatino talks with a true champion of heart health, Dr. Columbus Batiste.

Dr. Batiste’s passion for promoting heart health is deeply personal, stemming from the heart-wrenching loss of both his father and father-in-law due to lifestyle-related diseases.

Dr. Batiste’s father had many healthy practices, but he was also known to disregard the dangers of excess, which led to severe diabetes and peripheral neuropathy. This caused his health to spiral downward until he could no longer walk and ultimately died a painful death.

Witnessing his father’s suffering and the same fate that befell his father-in-law due to high blood pressure and kidney failure has only strengthened Dr. Batiste’s resolve to help others live heart-healthy lives.

Dr. Batiste is committed to educating his patients and anyone who will listen about the importance of lifestyle changes in reversing and preventing diseases.

He believes that medicine is too focused on disease management and not enough on the root causes of those diseases. As a physician, Dr. Batiste sees his role as a guide, planting seeds of information for his patients and leading with love instead of criticism.

One of the exciting aspects of Dr. Batiste’s work is in community outreach, particularly in under-resourced areas. The outreach often takes place in barbershops, hair salons, and churches.

Dr. Batiste believes that healthcare needs to transition to a model where care is brought to people where they are, rather than expecting people to come to clinics during traditional business hours. He emphasizes that every person is unique, and their approach to treatment should be individualized.

Through his experiences, Dr. Batiste offers a fresh perspective on healthcare. He encourages patients to take control of their health through lifestyle changes and advocates for personalized care that meets people where they are.

His work in under-resourced communities and his upcoming book highlight the importance of holistic health practices that prioritize the well-being of the whole person.

Episode Highlights

[02:30]             A family history of disease turns the tides

[05:30]             The darkest day is upon us

[07:40]             Moderation kills

[11:30]             Is there such a thing as alternative care?

[13:00]             The spiritual foundation for health

[17:30]             The Healthy Heart Doc!

[23:00]             Broken Heart Syndrome

[27:45]             The truth about “food deserts” and other social issues

[34:00]             Transitional health choices are better than doing nothing

[42:00]             Sometimes you feel like a nut!

About Dr. Columbus Batiste  

Dr. Columbus Batiste is a board-certified Interventional Cardiologist and Assistant Clinical Professor at the University of California Riverside School of Medicine. From 2008 until 2020 he served as Chief of Cardiology. Over the years Dr. Batiste has been recognized for his work in the community and abroad by multiple organizations.

In 2010, Dr. Batiste sought to break-the-cycle of prescriptions and procedures as the sole management of chronic disease and began promoting a long-term solution for his patients through nutrition, stress reduction, and exercise. As a result, in 2011 Dr. Batiste established the Integrative Cardiovascular Disease Program (based at Kaiser Permanente). This program sought to prevent the re-occurrence of major adverse cardiac events in patients who were diagnosed with a cardiovascular disease by focusing on lifestyle modification. In 2016 Dr. Batiste led a group that collaborated with Samsung Technologies and developed a virtual cardiac rehabilitation program utilizing a Samsung wearable. Since its launch the program, which applies the principles of lifestyle, has treated nearly 10,000 patients.

Dr. Batiste’s mission is to share information so that “each-one can teach-one” about the benefits of plant-based nutrition, daily exercise, and stress reduction and therefore, provide everyone with the opportunity to take control of their health. This mission and his passion for the community has led to the formation of a non-profit organization called the Healthy Heart Nation, which provides education through lectures, newsletters, social and digital media.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/columbus-d-batiste-2127b6b4/

https://www.thehealthyheartdoc.org/journey

About Dr. Frank Sabatino

As a recognized authority on the benefits of a plant-based lifestyle, Dr. Frank Sabatino has cared for and inspired thousands of people for over 40 years. Dr. Sabatino has a PhD in cell biology and neuroendocrinology and has done extensive landmark research on calorie restriction, stress, and aging. He currently is on staff at the TrueNorth Health Foundation in Santa Rosa, CA, and serves as the Director of Health Education at the NHA.

Dr. Sabatino’s passion and life’s work include raising awareness about the benefits of whole-food, plant-exclusive nutrition (without added salt, oil, or sugar), health rejuvenation, stress

About NHA

The National Health Association (NHA), founded in 1948, is a nonprofit organization that promotes the benefits of a plant-based diet. The Association provides educational materials, educational events, and services to thousands of people around the world.

The mission of the National Health Association is to educate and empower individuals to understand that health results from healthful living. The NHA recognizes the integration of all aspects of health: personal, environmental, and social.

The NHA also provides travel experiences around the globe through the NHA Plant-Based Travel and cruise division.

More information: https://www.healthscience.org/

Conference (75^th Annual)

A one-of-a-kind experience, the annual NHA Conference features top leaders in the plant-based movement. Attendees of the in-person event enjoy 100% no SOS plant-exclusive meals.

To learn more and reserve your spot, visit  https://www.healthscience.org/2023-nha-conference/

Scholarships

A unique benefit of the NHA Conference is the selection of two medical students who receive a full scholarship to the conference.

Contact Wanda Huberman for more information on how to apply for the scholarship.  [email protected]

NHA membership

For a very nominal investment, you can enjoy incredible benefits of the NHA membership.

Members of the NHA enjoy a subscription to the award-winning quarterly health journal, Health Science, access to the “Members Only” section of the NHA Website (which contains all 43 years of back issues of the magazine),  the ability to download for free many classic out of print eBooks on the history of the Natural Hygiene Movement, including Fasting Can Save Your Life and The Greatest Health Discovery, discounts on books, and early notice of the NHA events.

Only $35 a year for basic membership within the United States.  https://www.healthscience.org/join-renew/