Month: September 2026

What if getting older didn’t have to mean slowing down?

At 84, *Vesanto Melina, MS, Registered Dietitian*, is living proof that our later years can still be active, productive and full of purpose. She’s still writing books, speaking, counseling clients and hitting the gym for five fitness classes a week. And she has decades of science and experience behind what she teaches.

Vesanto is the author or co-author of *15 books on plant-based nutrition*, including books recognized by the American Library Association as go-to resources in the field. Her latest, _Plant-Powered Seniors_, was written with Brenda Davis, RD and Dr. Charlyn Black. She also co-authored the #1 Amazon bestseller _Plant-Powered Protein_. Vesanto has taught nutrition at *Bastyr University and the University of British Columbia*, received both the Ryley-Jeffs Memorial Award and a lifetime achievement award as a dietitian and served as lead author of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ position paper on vegetarian diets across the life cycle.

In this episode of *NHA Today*, Dr. Stephan Esser talks with Vesanto about what she’s learned from more than three decades of vegan living and a lifetime spent studying nutrition. They dig into why she now emphasizes a *well-planned plant-based diet*, why legumes deserve a bigger place on our plates and the nutrients that become especially important as we age, including protein, calcium, vitamin D and omega-3s.

They also explore the other side of healthy aging: staying strong and independent. Vesanto shares how exercise supports bone health, balance and fall prevention, why small changes can make a meaningful difference and why it’s never too late to improve the way you eat and live.

Whether you’re already in your 70s or 80s or thinking about the health you want decades from now, this conversation offers a different vision of aging and practical ways to stay strong, active and engaged for the years ahead.

LINKS AND RESOURCES

Order_Plant-Powered Seniors_:
https://plant-poweredp…

Learn more about Vesanto Melina:
https://nutrispeak.com/

Follow Dr. Esser on Instagram:
@esserhealth

NHA Today on YouTube:
    / @nationalhealthassocia…  

National Health Association:
https://www.healthscie…

This video explains the nature of chronic pain and how to manage it by retraining the brain and nervous system.

Key Takeaways:

Pain is brain-generated: Pain is a universal experience produced 100% of the time by the brain, regardless of its intensity or duration (0:07).

Acute vs. Chronic Pain: Acute pain (weeks to months) is often linked to tissue damage (e.g., an injury), whereas chronic or persistent pain (3+ months) usually persists after tissues have healed, indicating a sensitive nervous system rather than structural damage (0:21–1:45).

A Broad Management Approach: Rather than relying solely on medication or surgery, the video suggests a structured, active plan to address the complexity of chronic pain (2:06–2:45). This includes:

Thoughts and Emotions: Managing stress and beliefs can help “wind down” the nervous system (2:56–3:22).

Lifestyle Factors: Assessing diet, smoking, and nutrition can reduce systemic sensitivity (3:24–3:48).

Personal Story: Understanding the context of when the pain developed can provide insights into healing (3:53–4:16).

Physical Activity: Gradual, fear-free movement is recommended to help restore function and stop the brain from using pain as a protective mechanism (4:19–4:32).

https://www.foxnews.com/health/popular-artificial-sweetener-linked-potentially-dangerous-heart-risk

https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2026-08-26/popular-sugar-substitute-linked-to-higher-heart-risk