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John La Puma, M.D.

Co-founder-ChefMD®, RealAge® Nutrition & Longevity Expert, Board-Certified Internist, TV Chef, Regenerative Organic Farmer, NYTimes Best-Selling Author x2.

Dr. John La Puma, M.D., is a board-certified internist, a professionally trained chef, and an organic urban farmer known for his expertise in culinary medicine, nature therapy, and nutrition.

He played a key role in introducing culinary medicine and nature therapy classes at prestigious institutions like Harvard and SUNY-Upstate.

Dr. La Puma is a prominent figure in the field of food as medicine, diabetes management, healthy aging, and clinical research.

He is a New York Times best-selling author, having written popular books such as "REFUEL" and collaborated on projects with influential figures like Dr. Oz and Jillian Michaels.

Beyond his medical and culinary pursuits, Dr. La Puma has a strong background in medical ethics, having completed postgraduate studies in clinical medical ethics at the University of Chicago.

His educational background includes studies at institutions like Harvard Medical School, Baylor College of Medicine, and Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts.

Dr. La Puma has been associated with various notable organizations, including EcoMedicine, True Health Initiative, and RealAge, Inc., where he contributed as a board member and founder.

Highlights

Aug 27 · linkedin

Let's talk about the impact of green spaces. It's easy to overlook the importance of parks, gardens, and natural areas in our communities. However, recent research has been shining a spotlight on just how crucial these green spaces are for our collective well-being.

As someone who values both scientific evidence and personal experience, I've been fascinated by the growing body of research on this topic.

Here are three key findings that stood out to me:

  1. Social Cohesion: A study in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health found that neighborhoods with more green space had significantly higher social cohesion. This suggests our local parks might be doing more than just providing a place for picnics - they're helping build stronger, more connected communities.

  2. Mental Health: Research published in Scientific Reports showed that group walks in nature were associated with lower depression, perceived stress, and negative affect. It seems that a stroll in the park could be more than just a pleasant pastime - it might be a powerful tool for mental wellbeing.

  3. Health Equity: A study in The Lancet revealed that areas with more green space had lower inequality in mortality from cardiovascular disease. This intriguing finding hints at the potential for green spaces to play a role in creating more equitable health outcomes across different demographics.

I'm curious - what has your experience been with green spaces in your community? Have you noticed any benefits?

Let's share our thoughts and experiences on this important topic in the comments!

[References: Hong et al., 2018, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health; Marselle et al., 2014, Scientific Reports; Mitchell & Popham, 2008, The Lancet]

#foodie #nutrition #healthfacts #healthyliving #outdoorliving #nature #exerciseoutside

Aug 9 · linkedin

Over half of the 2024 Olympics events (187 out of 329 to be exact) are being held outdoors. Exercise outside is good for everyone, not just top athletes.

The American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine invited me to write an editorial about exactly that, and I now believe that doctors should be prescribing exercise, outside. Here's what I've found:

  1. We Americans spend a staggering 93% of our time indoors.
  2. Exercise outside is actually better for your blood pressure, mood and pulse than exercising inside.
  3. Moving your body outdoors can be a powerful tool against obesity, depression, and cognitive decline.

Home gardening is regular exercise outside, plus you get fruit, flowers and vegetables! As food is information for our genes, outdoor nature is information for our actions and interactions.

Check out my "Prescribe Movement Outside" (it's free and open access) and share your thoughts: https://lnkd.in/gGBEQpSZ

Where do you exercise outside?

American College of Lifestyle Medicine #OutdoorExercise #HealthcareInnovation #NaturePrescription #healthfacts #healthyliving #ParisOlympics #outdoorevents #optoutside

John La Puma, M.D.
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Location

Santa Barbara, California, United States