Amelia interviews Dr Renae Thomas, an Australian-born lifestyle medicine doctor in Loma Linda, California. Loma Linda is one of five extensively researched Blue Zones, which are places in the world where people live longer and healthier than anywhere else on earth. The average lifespan of Loma Linda residents is 10 years longer than the US national average, and they are 10 times more likely to live to 100 than typical Americans. And they aren’t just living long either—these people are living into old age while remaining active and healthy, and often without medication or disability.

How is this possible? What role does nutrition play? We talk about this and so much more. Dr Thomas' enthusiasm is truly contagious and uplifting, and you’ll finish this episode feeling inspired and amazed at the power we have to transform our own lives.

We talk about:

• Her dad's cancer diagnosis and why she went plant-based over 30 years ago (before “plant-based” was a word!)
• Why she decided to go to medical school after first starting a career in health and nutrition journalism
• How she managed to land her dream job in Loma Linda, and what researchers have learned from studying this population about the relationship between dietary patterns and the prevention or reversal of diseases such as diabetes, cancer, heart disease, stroke, Alzheimers, and more.
• Her work at the clinic in nearby San Bernadino, one of the poorest zip codes in California where the people suffer from very poor health and short lifespans, and some incredible inspiring stories of patients who have transformed their lives
• How the media and nutrition education we receive is strongly influenced by industry interests and economics rather than science
• How preventative and lifestyle medicine is changing lives everywhere and revolutionizing the medical system (and society)
• how we can inspire, motivate and support others to make positive lifestyle changes in a love-centred way

About Dr. Renae Thomas:

Dr Thomas is completing a masters in Public Health (Population Medicine), is a published co-author and an international speaker on nutrition and health, is the co-Vice President of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine Trainees, is on the lifestyle track committee for the American College of Preventive Medicine, a Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine spokesperson, and a qualified yoga teacher. Her greatest passion is empowering people to optimize their health through lifestyle choices in an evidence-based, gimmick-free and fad-free fashion.

Website: drrenaethomas.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drrenaethomas/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-renae-thomas-md-2b71b0aa/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Drrenaethomas/
Email: [email protected]