024: HealthScience.org/Podcast/024-Maya-Riz

Maya Acosta and Dr. Riz Bukhari share a passion for plant-based nutrition and lifestyle medicine. Their journey began with their personal experiences with food and health, which eventually led them to create Plant-Based DFW, an organization that aims to spread awareness about plant-based nutrition and the plethora of health benefits for those who eat this way. Maya's interest in healthy eating began during a nutrition course in college, which opened her eyes to the impact of certain products on the body. Dealing with her own struggles with food, Maya transitioned to a mostly pescatarian diet, but her relationship with food was off kilter. She was afraid of gaining weight and had health problems for years, including adrenal fatigue and weight gain.  Doctors couldn't determine the cause of her health issues until a biological dentist discovered high levels of mercury in her body. This revelation made Maya realize the impact of her seafood-heavy diet and led her to transition to a plant-based diet. With the help of her husband, she was able to heal her body and overcome her health issues. Dr. Riz, a vascular specialist, has seen the impact of lifestyle changes on his patients' health outcomes. He emphasizes the importance of teaching patients to live healthier lifestyles to reduce the risks and complications of surgeries and interventions. However, he acknowledges the challenges of patient compliance with lifestyle changes and the influence of cultural, social, and psychological factors on their choices. Maya and Dr. Riz also discuss the importance of incorporating whole food, plant-based nutrition into medical education. They hope that younger generations of physicians will have a better understanding of nutrition and its impact on health and are encouraged by the interest they've seen from medical students and young doctors in training. Their passion extends beyond work into their community. They love promoting the benefits of a plant-based diet and hosting events to build a sense of community among like-minded individuals. Maya also hosts the Healthy Lifestyle Solution podcast where she highlights individuals who support healthy lifestyle choices. Overall, Maya Acosta and Dr. Riz Bukhari's dedication to promoting plant-based nutrition and lifestyle medicine is making a significant impact in their community as well as globally due to their online presence. Day by day they are achieving their goal to educate and raise awareness to help improve the health of individuals and society as a whole. http://www.HealthScience.org/Podcast/024-Maya-Riz