According to the CDC, about 659,000 people in the United States die from heart disease each year. That's 1 in every 4 deaths. A staggering 100 BILLION dollars were spent several years ago on stents and bypasses. But how effective are those dangerous, invasive, and costly procedures in improving the patients' quality of life? Is there an alternative?

Today's guest is Dr. Dean Ornish, the founder and president of the nonprofit Preventive Medicine Research Institute. He is a clinical professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, and the author of seven books, all national bestsellers. Dr. Dean Ornish has directed revolutionary research proving that lifestyle changes can often reverse or undo the progression of many of the most common and costly chronic diseases and even begin reversing aging at a cellular level. He documented his findings in his landmark book UnDo It!

Dr. Dean Ornish studied medicine under Dr. Michael DeBakey, an American vascular surgeon and cardiac surgeon, scientist and medical educator known for his trailblazing efforts in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.

Today, Dr. Dean Ornish is helping people regain their health with his program, The Only Program Scientifically Proven to Reverse Heart Disease, which is reimbursed by Medicare from anywhere in the U.S. 'Nuff said! Let's dive into this eye-opening episode and UnDo It!

What we discuss in this episode:

Dr. Dean Ornish walks us through that pivotal moment when he met Woodstock Guru Sri Swami Satchidananda and how that encounter changed the direction of his life
How stress increases our predisposition to cardiovascular diseases and the worst thing about being depressed
Is there something wrong with traditional medicine?
Dr. Dean Ornish talks about the joy that his work brings, enabling people to have options vs. undergoing costly medical procedures
How to UnDo It! Eat Well, Move More, Stress Less, Love More
How comprehensive lifestyle changes influence DNA methylation and gene expression
Does eating specific foods (sweet potato meals vs. blueberry vs. cheeseburgers) influence cancer genes?
What hope do we have in getting the message to people about the way we view our health and the overall healthcare system?
Choosing a plant-based diet - What you gain is so much better than what you give up! Watch The Game Changers, a revolutionary film about plant-based eating, protein, and strength.
The Ornish Diet - What you include in your diet is as important as what you exclude.
The Gut-Brain Connection and how our bodies are affected by the food we eat
Get Dr. Dean Ornish's landmark book UnDo It! - https://undoitbook.com/
Connect with Dr. Dean Ornish on Instagram and Facebook
Check out Dr. Dean Ornish's website - https://www.ornish.com/