“It’s The Food”: Dr. Niki Davis on Lifestyle Medicine, Deprescribing, and Heart-Healthy Habits

“Not being afraid to stop medications day one—because you believe in your patient—is part of the work. When people change their lifestyle, blood pressure and blood sugar can improve fast. We get out ahead of it so they’re not overmedicated."- Dr. Niki Davis

 

Episode description

• Dr. Niki Davis, a board-certified family and lifestyle medicine physician, joins Kylie to share her journey from space shuttle engineer to “food-as-medicine” clinician. She explains how lifestyle medicine differs from traditional primary care, why longer telehealth visits unlock real behavior change, and how patients can safely reduce medications as health improves. They dig into practical, evidence-based strategies for cardiovascular health, the power of fiber, mindset, and community support—plus Dr. Davis’s favorite quick meals and a gorgeous Utah hike.

Key takeaways

• Lifestyle medicine vs. traditional care: Longer, focused visits center on prevention, behavior change, and root-cause reversal—while still using labs and medications when needed.
• Deprescribing done safely: As patients improve diet and habits, blood pressure and glucose can drop quickly. Skilled clinicians proactively adjust meds to avoid overmedication.
• Your “why” drives consistency: Clarify goals (labs, energy, weight, function) and personal reasons (family, longevity, adventures) to navigate social pressure and marketing.
• Big rocks for heart health: A whole-food, plant-based pattern, daily movement, restorative sleep, stress management, strong social connections, and no tobacco.
• Cholesterol basics: Reducing saturated fat and dietary cholesterol (primarily from animal foods) lowers LDL; fiber helps remove excess cholesterol.
• Fiber is foundational: Most Americans fall short. Emphasize legumes, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables to support cardiometabolic health and the microbiome.
• Telemedicine advantages: Convenient access anywhere, no waiting room, and the ability to personalize guidance (even a “show me your pantry” moment).
• Progress over perfection: It’s a lifelong skillset—plan ahead, learn from lapses, and build supportive community (yes to plant-based potlucks and walking buddies).

Sources and resources mentioned

• Lifestyle Telemedicine (Dr. Davis’s practice) https://lifestyletelemedicine.com
• Dr. Niki Davis bio https://lifestyletelemedicine.com/find-your-doctor/niki-davis/
• Dr. Niki Davis personal site wwwdrnikidavis.com
• American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM) https://lifestylemedicine.org/
• The Starch Solution — John A. McDougall, MD (book) https://www.drmcdougall.com/books/the-starch-solution/
• Dr. McDougall Program and recipes (including app) https://www.drmcdougall.com/
• Ornish Lifestyle Medicine and heart disease reversal research https://www.ornish.com/
• Caldwell B. Esselstyn Jr., MD—heart disease reversal resources https://www.dresselstyn.com/
• TrueNorth Health Center (water-only fasting, plant-based care) https://www.healthpromoting.com/

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