Dr. Laurie Marbas, a board-certified physician in both family and lifestyle medicine, initially trained in a traditional medical setting before her practice and perspective evolved toward integrating plant-based nutrition into her medical approach. Her journey toward plant-based medicine began serendipitously after a patient in Rifle, Colorado, shared remarkable health improvements following dietary changes. Intrigued by her patient’s experience with eliminating meat and dairy, Dr. Marbas began researching plant-based diets, eventually encountering The China Study, a pivotal moment that deepened her commitment to using diet as a preventive measure in healthcare.

Impact of Plant-Based Diet on Chronic Illness

Dr. Marbas shares compelling stories from her practice, including patients with serious autoimmune conditions like lupus. She describes the transformative impact of plant-based diets, exemplified by a lupus patient who saw significant health improvements, including weight loss, reduced inflammation, and a notable decrease in medication dependence. For Dr. Marbas, the results in her patients reinforced the power of nutrition, convincing her to adopt a fully plant-based approach in both her personal and professional life.

Implementing Plant-Based Programs in Hospitals

In collaboration with colleagues and plant-based chefs, Dr. Marbas implemented a study in Colorado’s Grand River Hospital to test the effects of plant-based meals on hospital employees. Over 30 days, the program yielded promising results, including weight loss and a decrease in pre-diabetic conditions. This experience highlighted the potential for plant-based interventions within healthcare settings, extending beyond patient care to improve employee wellness.

Founding of the Plantrition Project and Plant-Based Telehealth

A visionary in plant-based medicine, Dr. Marbas co-founded Plant-Based Telehealth, a virtual medical service focused on plant-based health and wellness. After a successful start, Plant-Based Telehealth was sold to Whole Foods founder John Mackey in 2022. Dr. Marbas’ involvement in the Plantrition Project, an organization dedicated to educating healthcare professionals on plant-based nutrition, further solidified her commitment to expanding the reach of nutrition-based preventive medicine.

Challenges and Successes in Telehealth and Insurance-Based Models

Attempting to expand the plant-based telehealth model through insurance proved challenging for Dr. Marbas. Although initial patient interest was strong, navigating insurance requirements and the complexities of scaling proved cumbersome. Despite ultimately shutting down the expanded telehealth service, Dr. Marbas gained invaluable experience in both the logistical and patient engagement aspects of telehealth.

The Healing Kitchen: A Collaboration with Chef Brittany Giroudi

In 2023, Dr. Marbas joined forces with Brittany Jaroudi to create The Healing Kitchen, a program blending medical advice with plant-based cooking. The program offers live weekly sessions, where Brittany provides recipes and Dr. Marbas addresses medical inquiries, providing a practical, community-based resource for those pursuing plant-based health. Upcoming expansions include a course on transitioning to a plant-based diet, giving participants access to recipes, medical advice, and ongoing support.

Focus on Menopause and Women’s Health

Recently, Dr. Marbas expanded her focus to include women’s health, particularly menopause and perimenopause. Through research and certification in menopause, she now leads coaching groups that emphasize plant-based dietary adjustments, lifestyle changes, and medical support for women navigating hormonal shifts.

Embracing Minimalism: Life on the Road

Dr. Marbas and her husband recently downsized to a mobile lifestyle, traveling the country in an RV. This decision reflects her commitment to a simplified, intentional life and aligns with her holistic approach to health and well-being, integrating movement, mindfulness, and a whole-food, plant-based diet into her daily routine.

Final Words of Encouragement: The Power of Small Changes

Dr. Marbas encourages individuals to embrace small, manageable lifestyle changes, sharing inspiring patient stories to illustrate the ripple effect of positive habits. Through her work, Dr. Marbas advocates for empowering patients to take control of their health, one small change at a time. Her ongoing work continues to shape the narrative around plant-based living, medical innovation, and the importance of lifestyle medicine in preventive care.

For more on Dr. Marbas’ work, visit drmarbus.com, where her resources, including The Healing Kitchen program, offer invaluable insights for anyone interested in plant-based health and wellness.

Episode Highlights

[00:00]                  Introduction.

[02:00]                  As a military physician, Dr. Marbas had unique challenges.

[05:00]                  Healthcare runs in the Marbas’ family.

[07:10]                  The science and patient stories were all the evidence Dr. Marbas required for her shift.

[12:30]                  Plantrician Project raises awareness.

[16:30]                  Plant-Based telehealth victories and challenges.

[25:00]                  A focus on menopause.

[28:00]                  Pillars of Lifestyle Medicine.

[30:00]                  The RV lifestyle appeals to Dr. Marbas and her husband.

About Dr. Laurie Marbas

Laurie Marbas, MD, MBA is a double board-certified family medicine and lifestyle medicine physician, who has been utilizing food as medicine since 2012. She currently holds 50 state medical licenses (plus DC) across the United States. She has a small concierge practice and is accepting new patients at drmarbas.com (http://drmarbas.com/). She is co-founder of The Healing Kitchen (https://www.drmarbas.com/the-healing-kitchen), with Brittany Jaroudi, where a chef and doctor come together in the kitchen to provide a recipe of health.

She was a former co-founder of Mora Medical and Plant Based TeleHealth. She was instrumental in creating and was the first Managing Editor for the Plantrician Project’s International Journal of Disease Reversal and Prevention. She is also the host of the Dr. Laurie Marbas podcast, whose mission is to provide resources that will empower individuals with the knowledge, mindset, and inspiration to successfully adopt lifestyle interventions and achieve health and wellbeing.

In Colorado, Laurie persuaded a large hospital to create a lifestyle medicine program centered around a WFPB diet; the program showed resounding success. At another hospital, she conducted a one-month study of 26 employees on a WFPB diet. All employees were fed from the hospital’s kitchen, and each individual experienced improved health. She has spoken at the Golden VegFest in Colorado, the International Plant-based Nutrition Healthcare Conference, and other venues teaching about the value of the WFPB diet.

Laurie received her dual degrees (MD and MBA) from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine and TTU School of Business. She was awarded the Texas Tech University School of Medicine Gold Headed Cane Award, a symbol for excellence in the art of medicine and the care of patients. She wrote seven books while in medical school, six of which were in a series called “Visual Mnemonics.” These books used cartoons to help people memorize vast amounts of information—a system that helped her personally when she was a mom attending medical school. As a United States Air Force veteran, she served in the Middle East and South America. She is also a wife, mom of three grown children, author, speaker, and avid runner.

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 and stress management.

Dr. Sabatino is the author of Weightless: Compassionate Weight Loss for Life, a groundbreaking guide to sustainable weight loss through a compassionate, plant-based lifestyle. Drawing on extensive clinical and personal experience, Dr. Sabatino offers practical strategies to overcome food addiction and avoid fad diets, risky drugs, and surgeries. The book provides meal plans, recipes, and lifestyle tips, emphasizing whole, plant-based foods and addressing the role of stress, sleep, and environmental toxins in weight management. “Weightless” empowers readers to achieve their weight goals healthily and sustainably, benefiting both people and the planet.

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/

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.  whuberman@healthscience.org

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/