In a Nutshell: The Plant-Based Health Professionals UK Podcast

When we think about pandemic prevention, we may think about vaccines, surveillance and emergency preparedness. But what if the most effective way to prevent the next pandemic starts much earlier- by reducing the conditions that allow new diseases to emerge in the first place? In this episode, we are joined by Esme Wheeler, a science policy and advocacy professional specialising in the connections...

If you've ever felt the need to nod seriously when zoonoses are mentioned, but had the thought 'I'll look that up later', then this week's nugget could be for you. We're unpacking a little more about diseases that first infect animals and then pop up in humans. A bit of homework, if you like, before we get deeper into the issues in next week's full episode. If you'd...

In this episode, we are joined by registered dietitian and public health nutritionist Ginny Messina, MPH, RD, one of the most respected voices in plant-based nutrition. We dive into the growing controversy surrounding plant-based meat alternatives and ultra-processed foods (UPFs). Are plant-based burgers and sausages really as unhealthy as some headlines suggest? Does the UPF label tell us everyth...

A study published at the end of May provides more evidence that adherence to lifestyle recommendations endorsed by the World Cancer Research Fund and the American Institute for Cancer Research reduces the risk of dying from any cause. This week's nugget explains more. If you'd like to support our work and be part of a growing community of like-minded people working towards creating a healthier and...

When we think about oral health, most of us think about brushing, flossing, and avoiding cavities. But what if the health of your mouth could influence your overall health and well being? In this episode, we're joined by Elizabeth Peters, a board certified Lifestyle Medicine Professional, to explore the fascinating connection between oral health and whole-person health. With more than 30 years...

Can we boost our health with a beverage? In this week's nugget we ask whether the green powder that is matcha is worth our attention. Can it perhaps help with attention (and cognition, and energy levels)? Would productivity in the work place go up if we replaced the 'Bean to Cup' machine with ceremonial grade matcha powder and a bamboo whisk? Disclaimer: this last question may not be f...

In this episode, we’re joined by Dr Ayesha Sherzai MD, neurologist, researcher, and co-author of  The 30 Day Alzheimer’s Solution,  to explore one of the most important questions in modern medicine: how much control do we really have over the future health of our brains? For decades, cognitive decline and dementia were often viewed as an inevitable consequence of ageing or genetics. But emerging r...

In this week's nugget we are back to evidence-based myth busting! So, the American dietary guidelines favour olive oil, butter, and beef tallow. And urge caution on seed oils. This isn't the first we've heard of it. Most of us have seen seed oils discussed in the context of ultra processed foods, leading us to wonder whether we should worry about cooking in a bit of sunflower or rapese...

In this episode, we sit down with Kate Strong - multiple record-breaking cyclist, age-group World Champion triathlete, climate-activist adventurer, motivational speaker, ex aerospace engineer and of course Plant-Based Health Professionals UK Ambassador. Kate shares her journey from competitive sport and plant-based performance to becoming a leading voice in sustainability and systems thinking. Amo...

Oat milk has enjoyed growing popularity in recent years. Despite a flurry of questions around its healthfulness, this is a plant milk generally accepted for its taste, and which is widely available. It's also often calcium fortified to the same level as dairy. Nevertheless, concerns remain  regarding the swap from cow's milk. Perhaps you've even been persuaded to wear a continuous gluc...

In this episode we are joined by Dr. David Jenkins, MD, PhD, DSc, a globally recognised leader in nutrition science, research and metabolic health. Dr Jenkins is best known for developing both the Portfolio diet and the Gycaemic Index. His work has shaped how we understand the relationship between carbohydrates and blood sugar, lipids and heart health, and continues to influence how clinicians and...

This week the hosts of In a Nutshell ask an important question. Can you get enough calcium on a plant-based diet without fortified foods? And even if you can, do you have to have a degree in nutrition to do the planning? Daisy and Clare provide a lively listen helping us to understand the role of calcium in the diet, and how to make sure you have a good intake as a plant-based eater without obsess...

In episode 8 of this season we discuss the food industry's role in green washing, health washing, and welfare washing.   Nicola Wilks from Adfree Cities describes how advertising seeks to influence our eating habits and planetary health choices, and why we'd probably be better off making choices without adverts.  We also hear how cities in the Netherlands want to promote plant-based diets, and on...

This week a listener question has prompted us to discuss iron absorption and the effect of anti-nutrients. In particular, do phytates and oxalates in plant foods put us at risk of iron deficiency? Daisy and Clare conclude the answer as ever may be to focus on eating a diverse range of plant foods and not to go too much into the weeds (unless of course they are dandelions- an important source of ir...

In this episode we’re joined by registered dietitian Soraya Pineda, to explore the science of weight loss, satiety, and appetite regulation. Soraya has extensive experience supporting individuals with weight management, metabolic health, and behaviour change. Her work focuses on helping people move away from restrictive dieting towards sustainable, evidence-based approaches that prioritise long-te...

Ever found yourself drawn to a supplement and don't know why? With brand names like  Bulk, Impact,  and  Warrior,  it's no wonder you may have asked yourself more than once whether you should be taking a daily dose. In this week's Nutshell nugget you will find our attempt to cut through the advertising to take a look at the science to date on the pros and cons of supplementing. We hope...

What children eat at school has the potential to shape their health for decades to come. In this episode, we speak with Sophia Millar from ProVeg UK about the School Plates initiative- a programme working with schools and local authorities to support more plant-rich, nutritious, and sustainable meals for children across the UK. For healthcare professionals concerned with prevention, childhood nutr...

This week's nugget discusses the evidence around including oil in our diets, showcasing a special interview with expert patient Sue Brewer who in recent years has been managing the cardiovascular consequences of 40 years on dialysis with an oil-free plant-based diet. https://plantbasedhealthprofessionals.com/oil-or-no-oil-a-viewpoint https://plantbasedhealthprofessionals.com/seed-oils-bad-pres...

In this episode we explore how agricultural systems shape human and planetary health. We are joined by Professor Amir Kassam, a globally recognised expert in conservation agriculture (CA), whose work has helped advance sustainable farming systems worldwide. Professor Kassam explains the scientific foundations of CA and how it differs from the increasingly popular concept of regenerative agricultur...

This week on the Nutshell , Daisy and Clare discuss whether paying more for organic produce pays off in terms of health benefits. There are lots of things to think about from pesticide burden to the nutrient values in the foods themselves. But with ever rising food bills,  should you prioritise organic, or can we afford not to?  Smith-Spangler C, Bravata DM, Hunter-Goren A, et al. “Are organic foo...

From fears around hormone disruption, thyroid health, breast cancer, fertility, and even feminising effects in men, soy has been surrounded by controversy for many years. Yet at the same time, populations consuming soy regularly tend to have lower rates of chronic disease and longer life expectancy. So what does the totality of the scientific evidence actually say? To answer that question we’re jo...

In this week's nugget, Plant-Based Health Professionals' founder, Dr Shireen Kassam takes us through two recently published papers exploring what oncologists may and may not know about diet and cancer, the reasons for this, and what they tell their patients. Kassam S, Kassam Z, Nemirovsky D, et al. Oncologists Knowledge and Attitudes Towards Providing Dietary Guidance to Patients With Cancer. Amer...

This week on the podcast we speak with nutritionist, author, and retired ITU nurse, Karen Lee. Karen shares her journey of following a whole-food plant-based diet to help manage her symptoms of the autoimmune disease, multiple sclerosis. We cover the research showing how whole-food, plant-based dietary patterns may help reduce systemic inflammation, improve gut microbiome diversity, and improve sy...

In this week's nugget, we explore some of the knowns and  unknowns when it comes to eating farmed animals who may carry bacteria known to cause disease in humans. The spotlight is on  helicobacter pylori, campylobacter jejuni, and e.coli. You might think twice about what you store in the freezer or throw on a barbeque.  The Ingest podcast: https://www.pcsg.org.uk/podcast/h-pylori/ Almagro-Martínez...

This week we are thrilled to be speaking with Dr Michael Klaper, M.D. Dr Klaper is an experienced physician, educator, and author who has spent decades advocating for a preventive approach to healthcare grounded in healthy, whole-food, plant-based diets. Through the non-profit organisation  Moving Medicine Forward , Dr Klaper’s current work centres on integrating nutrition and lifestyle education...