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 between human, animal and environmental health.  

Given that most emerging infectious diseases originate in animals, we explore how the One Health approach reveals the links between how we farm animals, our relationship with wildlife, and the risk of future pandemics.

The conversation examines the evidence linking habitat loss, biodiversity decline and the expansion and intensification of animal agriculture with zoonotic disease risk. Esme sets out the case for addressing our human impact to reduce the risk of future pandemics and more.

To connect with Esme:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/esme-primrose-wheeler-aa275a23b/

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the podcast and leave us a rating or review- it really helps others discover the podcast.

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 more sustainable future please join the Plant-Based Health Professionals UK following the link below:

https://plantbasedhealthprofessionals.com/membership

You don't have to be a health care professional to join, but by doing so you’re not only supporting our work, you'll be improving your own health;  with membership starting from as little as £15 a year, join us now and be part of the change you want to see.

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 like to support our work and be part of a growing community of like-minded people working towards creating a healthier and more sustainable future please join the Plant-Based Health Professionals UK following the link below: 
⁠https://plantbasedhealthprofessionals.com/membership⁠
 You don't have to be a health care professional to join, but by doing so you’re not only supporting our work, you'll be improving your own health;  with membership starting from as little as £15 a year, join us now and be part of the change you want to see.
References:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2950248926000040
https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp048039
Animals, viruses, and us. ⁠https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZq-OnumvtU⁠

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 everything we need to know about a food's health effects? And how should we think about plant-based meat within the context of an overall healthy dietary pattern?
Ginny is the author and co-author of several influential books, including Vegan for Life, and Even Vegans Die. She has spent decades helping people adopt nutritionally adequate plant-based diets grounded in science  In this episode she brings her trademark evidence-based and nuanced perspective to explore:
• What the science actually says about plant-based meat alternatives
• The strengths and limitations of the NOVA classification system
• Whether all ultra-processed foods should be viewed equally
• The role of plant-based meats in supporting dietary transitions
• Nutrient considerations for vegans and vegetarians
• How to separate nutrition science from social media sensationalism
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/nutrition/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1641234/full

To connect with Ginny: 
Website: The Vegan RD
https://www.theveganrd.com
Substack: Resistance Kitchen
https://theresistancekitchen.substack.com
Books:
https://www.theveganrd.com/mybooks/
Vegan Nutrition Resources:
https://www.theveganrd.com/vegan-nutrition-101/
If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, and sharing it with someone who may be interested in learning more too. 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 more sustainable future please join the Plant-Based Health Professionals UK following the link below:
https://plantbasedhealthprofessionals.com/membership
You don't have to be a health care professional to join, but by doing so you’re not only supporting our work, you'll be improving your own health;  with membership starting from as little as £15 a year, join us now and be part of the change you want to see.

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 more sustainable future please join the Plant-Based Health Professionals UK following the link below: ⁠
https://plantbasedhealthprofessionals.com/membership⁠ You don't have to be a health care professional to join, but by doing so you’re not only supporting our work, you'll be improving your own health;  with membership starting from as little as £15 a year, join us now and be part of the change you want to see.
https://plantbasedhealthprofessionals.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Cancer-factsheet-03.02.25.pdf
https://www.winchester.ac.uk/study/Short-courses/Courses/Lifestyle-medicine-for-cancer-prevention-and-survivorship/
https://acsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/cncr.70437
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40361185/

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 working closely with clients as a dental hygienist and earning a graduate degree in public health, Elizabeth has expanded her focus beyond oral health to support overall wellbeing. She now helps individuals make sustainable lifestyle changes through her work as a health and wellness coach and educator.
Elizabeth explains how the mouth is not an isolated part of the body but a gateway to overall health. We discuss how lifestyle factors such as nutrition, stress management, physical activity, and other pillars of lifestyle medicine can influence oral health, inflammation, and risk of disease.
We also dive into emerging research linking oral bacteria to chronic conditions, including Alzheimer's disease, and discuss why oral health professionals are increasingly recognising their role in supporting broader health outcomes.
Whether you're interested in prevention, healthy ageing, nutrition, or simply understanding your body better, this conversation highlights why oral health plays an integral part of the health discussion.
To find out more and contact Elizabeth:⁠https://preventionistas.com/
For Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine Conference tickets:
https://nlmc.org.uk/nlmc-2026/nlmc26-live/
If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, and sharing it with someone who may be interested in learning more too. 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 more sustainable future please join the Plant-Based Health Professionals UK following the link below:https://plantbasedhealthprofessionals.com/membership
You don't have to be a health care professional to join, but by doing so you’re not only supporting our work, you'll be improving your own health;  with membership starting from as little as £15 a year, join us now and be part of the change you want to see.