This webinar will dive into essential strategies to impact heart disease with a look at AHA's Life's Essential 8 ^TM, how essential fats tie in with the latest research, and how to provide balance to navigate the noise in the media about seed oils with some essential facts. With cardiovascular risk persisting as the leading cause of death worldwide, public health organizations, governmental and not-for-profit institutions, researchers, and clinicians continue to work toward reducing risk of heart disease and death by identifying strategies to prevent, reverse or mitigate disease, and optimize heart health and longevity. In the summer of 2022, the American Heart Association debuted Life's Essential 8TM, updating their multi-pronged, evidenced-based assessment and behavioral approach to tackling heart disease. Lifestyle components, among them diet quality, remain a significant part of this. We will discuss eating patterns within the Life's Essential 8 framework focusing on the latest research on dietary fats (including a major 2022 meta-analysis), particularly how PUFAs and the essential fats –omega-3s and omega-6s – can help improve the fatty acid profile of the diet to support cardiovascular health and improve nutrition overall. And not to be remiss—and the cause of some recent controversy—we will have a discussion of seed oils and how RDNs and NDTRs can help navigate the buzz to bring balance to the partial or misinformation as trusted experts. Finally, helping us bring the science to the table, a talented Le Cordon Bleu-trained chef will join us to share how to best use culinary oils for the best flavor and health, while maximizing the overall nutrition on our plates.

Sponsored by: SOW Seeds of Wellness

Speakers

Wendy Bazilian, DrPH, MA, RDN

Wendy Bazilian, DrPH, MA, RDN is a writer, educator, food enthusiast and award-winning journalist. She graduated summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa with a B.A. from Tufts University, received her M.A. from UC, San Diego, and completed her Doctorate in Public Health and Nutrition from Loma Linda University summa cum laude where she was awarded the prestigious Chancellor’s Award, the top university honor. She is a registered dietitian nutritionist and American College of Sports Medicine Certified Exercise Physiologist. Dr. Bazilian is author of Eat Clean, Stay Lean series (Rodale), The SuperFoodsRx Diet (Rodale), and has contributed to several books including the James Beard- and IACP-nominated Golden Door Cooks at Home, and the original New York Times bestseller SuperFoodsRx. She maintains a busy private practice with individuals from CEOs, artists, and actors, to professional athletes, parents and children seeking to improve their and their family’s nutrition, fitness and health. Wendy is an expert consultant to the spa industry, to start-up and established food and commodity groups, and to the health care industry. She is on the Board of Directors for the California Academy Foundation, and active advocate for students and others pursuing scholarships, fellowships, research and educational grants, and paid internships—and becoming part of mentoring relationships. She was honored as Nutrition Entrepreneur of the Year for 2022 within the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ Nutrition Entrepreneurs dietetic practice group. A frequent nutrition and wellness presenter at scientific, medical, corporate, culinary and public conferences and festivals, Dr. Bazilian’s expertise is featured in and she also writes for a variety of national print and digital media. She has been an expert contributor and returning guest on NBC’s TODAY show and GMA for many years. She is a frequent guest and nutrition expert on Live with Kelly and Ryan.

Chef Dean Rucker

Chef Dean Rucker is a classically-trained Chef and California Culinary Academy alumni with more than 30 years in the culinary industry. Chef Rucker is Culinary Director and Corporate Executive Chef, leading all product development and culinary innovation, at FreshRealm, a nationwide fresh meal delivery company focused on connecting the people they serve through meals. He is the former Executive Chef of the renowned Golden Door destination spa and resort and author of the acclaimed cookbook, Golden Door Cooks at Home, Recipes from the Celebrated Spa. Chef Dean is an expert in innovative and approachable cuisine, health-forward ingredients and menu creation, and working directly with onsite culinary gardens and local farmers to bring that day’s harvest directly to the plates of his clients and guests—always with a focus on flavor and satisfaction. He is also an experienced and passionate presenter and teacher, having taught weekly classes for more than a decade. Chef Rucker is a James Beard Nominee and a Food Network's Chopped! Champion.