CA

Meet Jay I am a speaker and nutritionist. I was an Education Specialist with two hospitals in Ventura County. I have a Health Science background as well as special certifications to teach DEEP (Diabetes Empowerment Education Program) and CDSMP (Chronic Disease Self Management Program), now Healthier Living. I volunteer with Ventura County Public Health where I have assisted with events, screenings, and taught nutrition education for after school programs. I work with local and international health care professionals to bring health empowerment to as many people as we can. Health is my passion. I am regularly dismayed by the powerlessness I feel from people with respect to their health. We are told over and over things like genetics, chronic diseases, and decline due to aging are all inevitable and unavoidable. Yes, we do get older, but things that are typically seen as an inevitable part of aging, like high blood pressure, may be prevented or even reversed by making healthier choices. One day several years ago I went to my doctor with an unrelated issue and discovered that I had stroke level blood pressure. I was 35. The worst part was that I thought I ate pretty healthy. I hear that all the time. “I eat pretty healthy.” Those exact words. Well, when I started to do proper research. When I finally tuned out all of the latest “information” in the media, that is when I discovered the truth.  Let me help you eat your way to your best YOU!

I have been a Whole Food, Plant-Based eater since 2016.  I lost 60# with Bright Line Eating in 2016 and reversed hypertension, obesity, and borderline diabetes.  Both plans are the most effective and sustainable for accomplishing improved health and optimal weight.  I am a Family Nurse Practitioner working at Harbor Community Health Center in San Pedro, CA.  I am available to assist anyone who is interested in learning more about these two ways of eating to improve his or her health.  I can prescribe medications for those who need them, with a goal of weaning off medications as your diet improves.  Our clinic accepts self-pay or various insurances, including Medicare, MediCal, and several HealthCareLA plans.    

“The mouth is the mother of all disease.” – Traditional Chinese Proverb.  
I’m a professional, licensed Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist, and Certified Specialist in Renal Nutrition. Please visit my website www.ambinourish.com, or contact me for more information.
Over 24 years of experience in clinical nutrition gives me a depth of knowledge to share with you. Particularly if you are concerned with weight, diabetes, digestive/bowel and kidney diseases. Maybe you are confused by all the ‘chatter’ out there. My approach is to always start with the ‘science’. And the science supports Plant-Based Nutrition as our best defense in this challenging world.  
After reading ‘The China Study’ by T. Colin Campbell, I completed the eCornell University Plant Based Nutrition course in 2013. Following that our team of Educators, Dietitians and Doctors at Kaiser Permanente Northern California East Bay Region developed the curriculum for Plant-Based Nutrition classes.

When I graduated from UCLA with my Master’s in Public Health in 1988, I had a very important decision to make. Do I, or do I not return to UC Davis School of Medicine to complete my training to become a physician? (I had spent 3 years at UC Davis) I realized that I was passionately committed to promoting health and preventing disease, and that I was no longer interested in treating disease. I made a bold decision to pursue studying Lifestyle Medicine on my own and went into healthcare administration and eventually consulting. But along the way, I was busy conducting my own research, delivering seminars and even wrote a book on health called Evolving Health, endorsed by Dr. Neal Barnard. In 2016, I attended the Plant-based Nutrition Healthcare Conference and learned about the American College of Lifestyle Medicine. I was so thrilled! In October 2017, I attended my first Lifestyle Medicine Conference and was delighted to have found my tribe. They announced the board certification for physicians and for professionals. I was in! In October 2018, I attended my second Lifestyle Medicine Conference and passed my board exam! I am so proud to officially be a Lifestyle Medicine Professional!  For the longest time, I have believed that a whole food, plant-based diet is fundamental to empowering people to prevent, reverse and treat chronic disease. I have had the good fortune to have helped hundreds to do just that. 

I am an interventional cardiologist who is skilled at performing angioplasty. However, I prefer to use my knowledge of medicine, nutrition, and exercise science to help my patients stay heart healthy. As a competitive triathlete and follower of a plant-based diet for over ten years, I set a healthful example for my patients.