The Doctor's Kitchen Podcast

Next time you look at the calories on the back of a packet or the nutritional breakdown of a recipe, remember that number doesn't tell you the whole story. 

It says nothing about the nutrients, the quality of the food, how satisfying it'll be, or even how many calories your body will actually absorb.

To unpack it all, I'm joined by Professor Giles Yeo, Professor of Molecular Neuroendocrinology at the University of Cambridge, MBE, and author of the brilliant book Why Calories Don't Count.

We cover:

I hope this changes the way you think about calories and gives you a few practical ideas you can start using straight away. If you know someone who's always checking the calorie label before anything else, send this episode their way.

As always, thanks for listening!

Dr Rupy x

More from Professor Giles Yeo

https://www.wolfson.cam.ac.uk/people/giles-yeo

https://x.com/GilesYeo

https://www.instagram.com/gilesyeo/?hl=en

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How do you become happier?

Professor Arthur Brooks describes 3 “macronutrients” for a happier life: enjoyment, satisfaction and meaning. Rather than chasing positive feelings, the idea is to build more of each into our everyday lives.

We get into some really practical ways to do this, including:

• Why being bored is good for your brain

• The three times to put your phone away each day

• How to make your downtime more meaningful

• How to find more meaning through love, awe and spirituality 

👤 About today’s guest: Arthur Brooks is a professor at Vanderbilt University, a senior fellow at Harvard Business School, a New York Times bestselling author and a leading researcher on happiness and meaning.

His latest book, The Meaning of Your Life,is out now. From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of From Strength to Strength, it's an account of how the modern world sets us up to fail at finding meaning, and a plan for finding what you seek.

More from us

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I’ve been talking a lot about eating healthy high protein. And sometimes it feels like you have to choose a side. High protein or plant-focused.

But both play really important roles for energy, appetite, muscle health, gut health and healthy ageing. 

My guest today actually describes them as a dynamic duo 🤝 They work best together. You want both on your plate, not one crowding out the other.

Dominique Ludwig is an accredited nutritionist and registered Nutritional Therapy Practitioner with more than 30 years of clinical experience helping people improve their health, energy and relationship with food.

She’s also the author of the brilliant new book ‘No-Nonsense Nutrition’, which is filled with practical, realistic advice and beautiful recipes that make healthy eating feel really achievable.

We cover:

🎬 Watch the podcast on YouTube here

📱 Download The Doctor’s Kitchen app

🌐 View full show notes, including guest details, on our website

☕️ Try Exhale Coffee here

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What if I told you that two people could eat the exact same meal, with the exact same calories, and have completely different hormonal responses because of what they believed about what they were eating?

These aren't fringe findings.

A growing body of evidence suggests that the way we think about our health can meaningfully impact our biology.

In this episode, I'm joined by nutritionist and Sunday Times bestselling author Sarah Ann Macklin to unpack four ways our thoughts can either help or hinder our health.

We explore:

• How your beliefs about food can influence hormones, appetite and metabolism

• Why the way you think about exercise may affect the health benefits you experience

• Whether your genes are really your destiny

• Why self-compassion could be one of the most powerful tools for lasting health

This is a fascinating conversation about the hidden connection between mind and body, and how changing the way we think could help shape our health for the better.

Hope you enjoy this one and find something practical you can apply to your own life.

Dr Rupy

Learn more about Sarah's work

Sarah's latest book 'Healthy Shouldn't Be This Hard' is out now

Instagram: @sarahannmacklin

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@livewellbewellsarah

Substack:https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/ 

Website: www.sarahannmacklin.com

Join the Doctor’s Kitchen

🎬 Watch the podcast on YouTube here

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I’ve been talking a lot about healthy protein and sometimes it can feel like you have to pick a side. Protein or fibre. But for long-term health, you want both on your plate.

The problem is, 96% of people still don’t hit the recommended daily fibre target. Even if you eat vegetables at every meal. 

A salad is brilliant for micronutrients and polyphenols, but alone it’s usually not enough to reach the 30g of fibre a day linked to better gut health, satiety, cholesterol and a lower risk of disease.

But for a lot of people, trying to eat more fibre comes with one big problem… bloating.

So today I’m joined by Dr Emily Leeming, former chef, registered dietitian, scientist at King’s College London and author of the new book ‘Fibre Power’, to break down how to increase fibre in a way that works for your gut.

She brings a rare combination of ongoing research, clinical practice and love for food.

We cover:

It’s a really practical episode and I hope it leaves you inspired to make a few tweaks to gently increase your fibre intake.

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What’s the healthiest way to lose weight and keep it off without counting calories?

On paper, it sounds simple. But in a modern world of ultra-processed foods, clever marketing and disrupted hunger signals, it’s rarely that straightforward.

And that’s why I think this is a conversation for everyone. Because learning to regulate your appetite is a health skill for all of us. It shapes your energy, your metabolic health, your gut and how you feel from one day to the next.

👉 I’m joined by Dr Federica Amati, PhD, a Medical Scientist and Registered Public Health Nutritionist with over 15 years of experience in research and clinical practice. 

We take a food-first approach to fat loss by focusing on key foods that improve satiety. 

And we get into a really important and often overlooked topic. What you need to know before, during and after taking GLP-1 weight loss medications.

We talk about…

The Appetite Reset: How to Eat, Drink and Thrive Before, During and After GLP-1s by Dr Federica Amati. Release 25/06/26.(Penguin Michael Joseph, £25)

And if you’re listening and wondering how to actually put this into practice day to day, that’s really the intention behind The Doctor’s Kitchen app. Every recipe is developed and tested in your London kitchen, with the pink fridge, to be high fibre, quality protein… and delicious!

More from us

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SHOW NOTES

This episode is for anyone dealing with constipation, bloating, reflux, abdominal pain or IBS.

And really, anyone who wants to protect their gut, reduce stress and feel better overall.

When we think about gut health, we usually start with food… what to eat, what to cut out, which diet or supplement to try next.

And while nutrition is foundational, there’s another side we don’t talk about enough: the constant conversation between your brain and your gut 🧠💬

My guest today is Dr Rabia Topan, an NHS consultant gastroenterologist and PhD researcher specialising in disorders of gut–brain interaction like IBS. She works at The Functional Gut Clinic with people who’ve often had “normal” tests for years, but very real symptoms.

She’s also trained in cognitive behavioural hypnotherapy and yoga, bringing a practical, mind–body approach to gut health.

We cover 👇

• Breathwork techniques and why slowing your breath to around 6 breaths per minute can shift you into “rest and digest”

• What the gut–brain axis actually is

• Simple daily movements and pelvic floor exercises to support gut function

• Practical toilet training tips for children

• How cognitive reframing and gut-directed hypnotherapy can ease bloating, constipation and IBS

• One habit you can start today to calm your nervous system and support your gut every morning

🔗 Key links

• Dr Rabia’s website with resources, yoga videos and more

• Gut–brain hypnotherapy audio you can try at home

Important disclaimer: The patient mentioned in this episode gave full consent for their story to be shared.

Hope you enjoy!

Dr Rupy x

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What we eat, and how we eat, can have a profound effect on our brain health, even influencing depression, anxiety and ADHD.

Today, we’re unpacking simple food strategies that can support your nervous system, with a big focus on the gut-brain connection.

And I have the pleasure of chatting with Dr Miguel Toribio-Mateas to explore this topic.

He’s a clinical neuroscientist, nutrition researcher and author of the brilliant new book ‘ADHD Body and Mind: A Compassionate Guide to Rewilding Your Nervous System’.

He also has a fantastic way of bringing together brain health and delicious, practical food.

We cover 👇

• Why combining foods can unlock more benefits than eating them on their own

• The shift from “more fibre” to “more variety of fibre”

• Everyday foods your gut microbes thrive on that most of us under-eat

• Why how you eat matters just as much as what’s on your plate

• The surprising impact even mild dehydration can have on focus and mood

• Easy ways to upgrade meals you’re already eating, even on low-energy days

This conversation will leave you inspired to cook your way to a healthier brain. And stick around for Miguel’s slightly unusual approach to using a slow cooker to maximise the nutritional value of his food.

​​

Dr Miguel’s socials

https://drmiguelmateas.com/

https://thecreativescientist.substack.com/

http://instagram.com/drmiguelmateas

Hope you enjoy!

Dr Rupy x

🎬 Watch the podcast on YouTube here

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🌐 View full show notes, including guest details, on our website

☕️ Try Exhale Coffee here

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I’m seeing fibre maxxing everywhere right now. And I think it might be one of the few trends actually worth paying attention to.

But as always, it’s not that simple.

This episode is a deep dive into fibre with Dr Karan Rajan, medical doctor and one of the most recognisable health voices online.

He’s built an audience of over 10 million people across social media, breaking down complex health topics with a mix of evidence, clarity and generous servings of humour.

We cover:

Quick disclaimer: I ask Dr Karan about his journey creating his own fibre supplement towards the end of the podcast, which is a really interesting process. I’m not affiliated in any way and, as you’ll hear, I’m still very much food first, with good quality, third party tested supplements as a top up when needed.

More from us

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In this episode, we're building anemotional toolkit for something a lot of us are dealing with: overwhelm.

That feeling of too much coming at you at once. The pressure to get everything right with your health, your work, your relationships and still feel like you're just about keeping your head above water.

If you've ever struggled to switch off at night, felt constantly on edge or caught yourself spiralling in your own thoughts, this is for you.

Today's guest: Dr Julie Smith 🧠

Dr Julie (@drjulie on Instagram) is a clinical psychologist and one of the most trusted voices in mental health online. Her latest book “Open When” is one of the best tools I've come across for navigating the harder moments in life. It went straight to number one and is a New York Times Bestseller.

We cover:

You'll come away with a few simple tools you can use straight away. I hope you enjoy this one as much as I did.

If you're more of a visual person, the analogy Dr Julie shows us on YouTube is one I won't forget 👇

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If there are five people in a room with eczema, they’re probably all dealing with it for completely different reasons.

And that’s something we don’t talk about enough.

Eczema, acne, psoriasis… these are rarely just skin issues. They’re often a reflection of what’s happening inside the body, particularly in the gut.

So instead of just asking what to put on your skin, this episode is about asking a better question. What’s actually driving this underneath?

My guest today is Farzanah Nasser, a registered nutritionist and certified functional medicine practitioner specialising in gut health, immune health and chronic skin conditions.

She works with people every day, dealing with long-standing skin issues using a practical, gut-first approach.

She’s also the author of “The Everyday High-Fibre Plan”, full of simple, gut-friendly recipes… including those cookies on the table if you’re watching on YouTube 👀

We cover👇🏽

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There’s a fascinating ancient system of medicine called Ayurveda, originating in India over 3,000 years ago, that has helped millions of people tune into their bodies through simple food, daily rhythms and plants.

I grew up thinking it was just a set of beliefs and traditions, but my guest today really challenged that. What I came to understand is that Ayurveda is actually a codified system of observations and experiments, documented, debated and written in Sanskrit texts.

My guest is Dr Vijay Murthy, an internationally acclaimed integrative physician who blends Ayurveda with modern, evidence-based medicine. He has over 30 years of clinical experience and regularly publishes in peer-reviewed journals.

What’s remarkable is that many of the practices we unpack today closely mirror what modern research now tells us about gut health, lifestyle medicine and nutrition.

This conversation genuinely made me reflect on my own daily routines in a different way. And there are a couple of simple practices in here that you might want to try for yourself.

We cover: 

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One of the biggest myths about brain health is that decline is inevitable as we get older. That at some point our memory fades, our thinking slows down, and there’s not much we can do about it.

My guest today argues the opposite.

Dr Tommy Wood is a neuroscientist, Professor at the University of Washington, and performance consultant to world-class athletes.

He’s published more than 100 scientific papers and has lectured all over the world on brain health, metabolism, physical activity and human performance.

He’s also the author of the brilliant new book The Stimulated Mind: Future-Proof Your Brain from Dementia and Stay Sharp at Any Age (Harmony, March 2026).

It’s a really practical conversation about small, everyday habits that can keep your mind 🧠 sharper for longer, without needing extreme diets or stacks of nootropics.

He walks us through 3 powerful levers to sharpen your mind:

How to stimulate it with specific exercises and mental challengesHow to supply it with key nutrientsAnd how to support it by changing your perspective on stress and sleep

I’ve already changed a few simple things in my daily routine, and I’ve been sharing it with friends and family because this is something that really matters to most of us: keeping our minds sharp through life. I hope you find this conversation as useful and motivating as I did.

If you want specific recipes and meal ideas, we have a whole brain‑healthy collection on the Doctor’s Kitchen app and website to help you put these principles into practice straight away.

🎬 Watch the podcast on YouTube here

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We breathe over 20,000 times a day. Those breaths do far more than just keep us alive. They shape your sleep, your focus, your energy, even your blood pressure and long-term risk of disease.

That’s over 20,000 opportunities to support your health, every single day.

The challenge is that modern life makes it harder to breathe well. We sit hunched over laptops, we’re constantly switched on, we chew softer foods, and many of us mouth-breathe, especially at night. 

My guest today is on a mission to improve our health through our breath.

James Nestor is an award-winning science journalist and author of the bestseller “Breath”. He’s travelled the world to understand how our breathing has changed, and most importantly, what simple, practical steps we can take to improve it.

This episode genuinely shifted things for my team and me. I hope it inspires you to make a few small changes too. And if you know a committed mouth breather, send it their way.

We cover:

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I talk a lot about what we eat for our health. But what about the air we breathe at home?

If you or your kids have asthma, constant sniffles, a lingering cough, sinus issues, or you’ve noticed damp patches and that musty smell, this episode could change how you think about your home.

As a new dad, I'm personally really interested in how our home environment shapes early immune development. This conversation made me think differently about ventilation, condensation and what really matters.

My guest is Dr Peter Cook, a Wellcome Trust Sir Henry Dale Fellow at the MRC Centre for Medical Mycology at the University of Exeter. His research looks at how airborne fungal spores interact with the immune system and drive allergic and asthmatic disease, an area that has been surprisingly neglected.

In this episode, we go into:

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Today we’re having an uncomfortable but very necessary conversation about antidepressants and the theory that these drugs work for those with depression by correcting imbalanced chemicals in their brain.

Our guest to discuss this topic is Joanna Moncrieff, a Professor of Psychiatry at University College London, and works as a consultant psychiatrist in the NHS. She is author of numerous scientific papers including a major review that showed there was little evidence to support the idea that depression is caused by a serotonin abnormality. Her most recent book "Chemically Imbalanced: the making and unmaking of the serotonin myth” is what we’re going to be discussing today.

This was a complete eye opener for me. For years I believed in the pharmaceutical washed message that antidepressants worked because of a genuine brain chemical imbalance that we corrected with medications. This is not proven.

Today we’ll discuss over-use and misrepresentation of psychiatric drugs in the public sphere, the changing philosophy of mental health and how we got to a point where over 8 million people in the UK use antidepressants.

We discuss what serotonin is, how we measure it in the body, why the imbalance theory is inconclusive, whether antidepressants have good evidence that they work and their many side effects.

I want to make it clear that this episode is not meant to shame or belittle anyone on medications for mental health, but provide accurate information about how we can safely treat these problems and offer informed consent weighing up the pros and cons of medications like antidepressants. The use of these medications has well recognised withdrawal and dependency effects and should not be stopped without strict supervision of your medical practitioner. 

We’ve also linked to the Maudsley deprescribing guidelines here in the show notes for practitioners educating themselves on how to do this with their patients.

Chemically Imbalanced Book

Website: https://joannamoncrieff.com/

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Even though I’m a skeptic I love health tech. I wear a wearable, I play with red light therapy gadgets and I monitor my bloods more regularly than a lot of my peers. Rather than being overwhelmed with the data, I thrive in it, and I’m able to reasonably weigh up the information from all these inputs because of my experience of being a medical doctor for over 15 years.

But with so much health tech interest, the landscape has become confusing and it can be hard to separate health from hype.

So we’re chatting to Lara Lewington today who’s covered some of the world’s greatest innovations, presenting the BBC’s flagship technology show, Click and many more. She’s explored Artificial Intelligence in health, the use of home hormone testing and whether there are any devices that can actually help us meditate better.

This is a super fun episode where we discuss what tech is available today that can help us eat, sleep and exercise better as well as stress less and prevent disease. I learnt both about the world of breath testing to guide our food choices, an app to help you with jet lag, as well as the potential for intelligent and personalised cancer screening.

Hacking Humanity dives into this and a lot more, which is available in all good bookstores.

Some of the products discussed include:

Whoop

Oura

Omed

Dexcom and Abbot CGMs

Timeshifter App

Eli Health

BrainPatch AI

Grail Testing

Truecheck

Ezra

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Glyphosate is the world’s most widely used weedkiller. It’s found on farms, in parks, and in over 50% of UK urine samples. Today you’re going to find out more about its impact on human health and why it should be banned, from Professor Michael Antoniou.

Professor Michael Antoniou is a molecular geneticist and gene engineering expert at King’s College London, whose research explores how agricultural chemicals like glyphosate affect our bodies, our microbiome, and our long-term health.

We discuss:

🌿 What glyphosate actually is and how it works by blocking a crucial enzyme in plants and microbes.

⚗️ Why it was deemed safe and why new evidence suggests we may have underestimated its risks.

🧠 The latest research linking glyphosate exposure to gut microbiome disruption, liver disease, and cancer.

🥦 Which foods carry the highest residues and whether washing, peeling, or buying organic makes a real difference.

🧬 How chronic exposure builds up in the body and what steps you can take to reduce your exposure today.

Professor implores everyone to support the PAN movement to prevent glyphosate use in towns and across the UK food supply. You can check out the link to help create pesticide free towns here.

https://pan-uk.eaction.org.uk/pesticide-free-towns

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We’ve long been told that health starts in the gut, but what if the key to ageing well begins with your muscles?

This week I’m joined by Dr Gabrielle Lyon, physician, author of Forever Strong, and founder of the muscle-centric medicine movement. Gabrielle’s work reframes how we think about muscle not just for strength or aesthetics, but as a powerful metabolic and endocrine organ that drives longevity, energy, and resilience.

In this episode we discuss:

💥 Why muscle is the foundation for metabolic health

🥩 How much protein you really need and how to get it right

🏋️ How good muscle health impacts, inflammation and brain function

🧘‍♀️ The mindset shifts that make new habits actually stick and why we need to think about “standards” rather than goals

Whether you’re in your 30s trying to stay active, or in your 60s building strength for life Gabrielle is going to get you pumped about getting pumped! After recording this pod I wanted to run to the gym and start working out with those kettle bells! 

Dr Lyon's new book - The Forever Strong Playbook - is released on 27th January 2026.

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What we eat isn’t just about taste or health, it’s shaped by a powerful global system that connects farmers, supermarkets, climate, and culture.

This week I’m joined by Mallika Basu, food writer, consultant and author of the new book ‘In Good Taste’, to unpack how our everyday food choices link to much bigger issues from biodiversity loss to culture, inequality and the economy.

But this is a conversation about sustainable eating from a food lover's perspective.

You’re going to find out …

🐟 Why I may have to adjust my fish eating habits to avoid or reduce salmon

🍅 How traditional diets are climate friendly, and delicious!

🌱 Whether regen and organic farming is worth it

This is a conversation about how we can all influence the future of food through our choices and our love of cooking.

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Your mouth isn’t separate from the rest of your body, it’s a key part of your airway, your microbiome, and even your inflammation levels. In this episode, I’m joined by Dr Staci Whitman, functional dentist, to explore the everyday habits and products that can make a real difference to oral and whole-body health.

We talk through mouth taping and why nasal breathing matters for oral health, sleep quality, and overall physiology. Who should avoid mouth taping, and safer options.

How chronic mouth breathing affects dry mouth and the oral microbiome, gum health, cavities, bad breath, airway, sleep, and long-term facial/jaw development (especially in kids).

Ancestral diets and how that plays a role in jaw development, and the dental impact of modern snack foods. Plus nutrients for dental health like vitamin D, K2, Calcium and vitamin C.

And controversially we talk through fluoride in our water and toothpaste. What fluoride is used for and what the controversy tends to be about, and practical oral-health “non-negotiables” that matter alongside fluoride.

Dr. Staci Whitman is a board-certified functional and integrative dentist specialising in the oral-systemic connection, how the mouth links to the gut, brain, hormones, and airway health. She’s the founder of Bloom Kids (a leading functional paediatric dental practice), co-founder of the Institute for Functional Dentistry, and co-founder of Fygg, a microbiome-friendly oral care line.

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I don’t think GLP-1 meds are the answer for everyone, but I also don’t think they’re the villain of the story. For many people they can be genuinely life-changing, when they’re used with the right support. So this episode is for anyone who’s made that decision (or is seriously considering it) and wants to do it safely, sustainably, and with as much information as possible. 

-

I can’t stop you from taking these medications, but I can help you be informed: what to ask, what to monitor, what to eat, and how to protect your muscle, gut, and long-term health along the way.

Today’s episode is all about one of the biggest health conversations happening right now: GLP-1 medications.

I’m joined by Ashley Koff, RD, to give you the straight dope on what’s really going on beneath the surface: why so many of us are struggling with food noise, why some people never reach that “80% full” feeling, and what it means when your metabolic switches (the appetite and satiety systems that should be working in the background) aren’t firing properly.

We break down GLP-1s, starting with what happens in an optimally functioning body: the roles of hormones like GLP-1, GIP, PYY and CCK, and how they influence hunger, fullness, blood sugar, and cravings. We also talk through what side effects might be telling you, what to monitor if you do choose medication, and whether supplements have a role — including the so-called “GLP-1 boosters” you’ll see everywhere.

Most importantly, this episode is for anyone who wants lasting fat loss and better metabolic health, with or without drugs.

Ashley Koff is a registered dietitian and founder of the Better Nutrition Program, and she trains clinicians as course director for UC Irvine’s Integrative & Functional Medicine Fellowship. She’s also the author of the upcoming book ‘Your Best Shot’.

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I’m seeing “perfect” wellness routines everywhere! Red light masks, infrared saunas, ice baths, supplements lined up on the kitchen counter, breathwork, journaling, grounding mats… the list goes on.

And yes, my wife has been trying most of them.

So today, we’re doing something a bit different. We’re recreating those little “sofa consults” we have at home. We’ll be casually watching TV, and out of nowhere she pauses the show, turns to me dead seriously, and hits me with a question like…

“Babe… what are your thoughts on grounding mats?”

So the format is simple: she’s going to take us through her wellness routine from morning to night, and after each bit she’ll ask me what I think.

I’ll give it a verdict, the why behind it, and a quick takeaway you can actually use, so you can make a choice as to whether you want it in your routine or not.

If you liked this episode let me know by leaving a comment on Spotify, or shooting us a message on instagram. I’ll be watching out for them! 

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In 2025 we’ve had world experts come into the DK studio, meet the team, sit right here in this room and let me tease their brains, challenge their ideas and help us bring you the most up-to-date, practical advice out there.

These guests changed the way I personally eat, the way I move, the way I recover, the way I think and even the way I structure my day.

So in today’s episode, I want to share the 5 health habits I changed this year because of this very podcast you're listening to, because I’m on this journey with you.

I’ll talk about my changing perspectives on:

Red Meat and whether you can safely eat it regularly or not?

How to consume more variety of fibre

Why movement snacking is just as important as structured workouts

If sauna is worth it and what an evidence based protocol looks like

How to reduce screen time and improve your dopamine levels

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Constipation might not sound like the most glamorous topic, but it’s one of the most common and overlooked health issues in the UK. Around 1 in 7 adults and up to 1 in 3 children experience it, and it’s responsible for thousands of hospital admissions every year.

This week I’m joined by Dr Angad Dhillon, Consultant Gastroenterologist and accredited Bowel Cancer Screening endoscopist at Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust. With advanced training from St Mark’s Hospital, one of the world’s leading centres for intestinal disorders, Dr Dhillon specialises in complex endoscopy, bowel health, and digestive wellbeing. He also happens to be my best friend from medical school who I’ve literally known over 2 decades!

We talk about lesser known constipation strategies, what functional constipation means, how it can be related to other medical issues and what you should be optimising before you reach for a laxative, medications or supplements.

Today we explore:

💬 What “normal” bowel habits look like and whether the bristol stool chart is useful

🥦 How to approach constipation with a dietary approach

🧘‍♂️ Why pooping posture, breathing, and stress matter for gut health

🌙 The link between sleep, circadian rhythm, and digestion

⚠️ Red flags that mean it’s time to speak to your doctor

Dr Dhillon's research work can be found here and give him a follow on social media @the_gut_doctor

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If exercise were a pill, it would be the most powerful drug on the planet. It protects the brain, lowers the risk of heart disease and Alzheimer’s, reduces stress, boosts energy… and yet, most of us still struggle to fit it in.

Today, we’re putting together a practical, evidence-based guide to exercise for everyone. If you’re a busy parent or professional who struggles to find the time to move, we’ll show you the minimum that makes the biggest difference. If you’re older and thinking about healthy ageing, we’ll talk about protecting bone, muscle and independence as well as how to approach going to an intimidating weight section of a gym for the first time.

For teens and young people, we’ll cover how movement shapes brain health and sets you up for life. And if you’re already into fitness, we’ll dive into how to break plateaus, track progress, and optimise performance.  This episode will show you exactly how to move for a longer, healthier life.

Today I’m joined by Dr Andy Galpin, one of the world’s leading human performance scientists and the person I wish I’d had on speed dial when I first started trying to figure out how to train smart, not just hard.

Andy is a Professor at Parker University and Executive Director of the Human Performance Center. He holds a PhD in Human Bioenergetics, has published over 100 peer-reviewed papers, and has worked with some of the most elite athletes on the planet — from Olympic gold medallists to world champions across the UFC, MLB, NBA, NFL, PGA, and military special forces.

He’s also the co-founder of several innovative companies, including Absolute Rest, Vitality Blueprint, and BioMolecular Athlete, all dedicated to improving human health, performance, and recovery.

Think of this episode like a session with Andy … but for all of us! By the end, you’ll have a clear, evidence-based understanding of how to use exercise to support your health at any stage of life. Whether you’re a busy parent, professional, or already fit and active, Andy helps us understand what most people are missing from their training and how to fill those gaps.

We cover:

💪 The exercise priorities for each stage of life, from teenagers to older adults

🧬 How to personalise training using intensity, timing, and recovery data

🦴 Why bone health matters more than you think and what to do about it

⚡ The key markers for long-term fitness and how to track real progress

My hope is that this is one of those conversations that reframes how you think about movement not just for performance, but for longevity, energy, and quality of life.

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Since writing about inflammation in Eat to Beat Illness and my last book Healthy High Protein, I’ve become fascinated by how this one process connects so many of the health issues I’ve seen in thousands of patients over my career.

On the one hand, inflammation is brilliant, it helps us fight infections, repair injuries, and clear out damaged or cancerous cells. But when it doesn’t switch off or is constantly triggered, it becomes a slow burn in the background, driving heart disease, cancer, dementia, and even daily struggles like joint pain, gut problems, poor sleep, skin issues, and fatigue.

The good news? Food gives us a direct way to influence it. Every time we sit down to eat, we can either fan the flames or gently cool them.

In this episode, we explore:

🧬 What inflammation actually is (and the early warning signs of too much)

🥗 The science and benefits of an anti-inflammatory diet

🥑 My top 10 anti-inflammatory foods you can start eating today

🥩 Controversial takes on meat, dairy, and foods to limit

📊 How we measure inflammation, including our new “inflammation score” on the app

This is your practical guide to cooling chronic inflammation and protecting your long-term health, starting with what’s on your plate.

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Coming into this podcast my opinion was that multivitamins are just not worth it. Whether that’s for general wellbeing, cardiovascular health, sleep and especially mental health, I just was not convinced that they did anything at all.

But I specifically wanted to speak with Professor Julia Rucklidge, clinical psychologist and Director of the Mental Health and Nutrition Research Lab at the University of Canterbury, because she has a very different opinion.

Julia’s groundbreaking research and viral TED Talk have transformed how psychiatrists and mental health practitioners think about nutrition and mental illness, especially the potential of broad-spectrum micronutrients to support mood, focus, and resilience.

We explore:

If you’ve ever wondered whether taking a daily multivitamin is worth it or how food and nutrients impact the brain, this episode will challenge your assumptions and expand your understanding of nutrition for mental wellbeing.

Julia has made me reconsider my personal perspectives on multivitamins, and I’m excited to dive deeper into this topic on future podcasts and with our internal research team.

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How much plastic are we actually absorbing and what’s it doing to our health?

In this eye-opening episode, I’m joined by Dr. Stephanie Wright, one of the UK’s leading scientists in microplastic research, to explore what happens when plastic pollution doesn’t just affect the environment, but our bodies too.

We dive into:

🧪 What are micro- and nanoplastics, and how are they getting into our lungs, gut, and even blood?

 🌍 The biggest sources of exposure in modern life from tires to tap water and food packaging to clothes as well as the city air I’m breathing in right now

 🧬 How plastic particles could be contributing to chronic inflammation, hormone disruption, and affecting fertility

 🧼 Whether we can actually detox or eliminate plastics from our body naturally and how the liver, fibre, and exercise may play a role

 🔍 What we know so far about plastics and brain health, cancer, immunity, dementia, and more

Plus, we cover simple, science-backed strategies to help reduce your exposure from filters and cooking swaps to smarter shopping and clothing choices.

Dr Stephanie Wright is an Associate Professor in Environmental Toxicology in the Environmental Research Group at Imperial College London. She received a Ph.D. in Biosciences at the University of Exeter (2015), then completed 2 fellowships at King's College London. She has 15 years’ experience in microplastic research and lead the Microplastics Team. She’s also participated in microplastic working groups for the World Health Organisation and the European Commission.

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When we think about brain health, most of us jump straight to memory, dementia, or even Alzheimer’s. But what if the real starting point is our metabolism?

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr Shahrukh Mallik, Consultant Neurologist, to explore how conditions like insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and chronic inflammation don’t just affect the body, they directly impact the brain.

We dive into:

⚡ Why people with type 2 diabetes have up to a 50% higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s

🧬 Why the brain is more vulnerable than we think

🔗 How poor metabolic health links to dementia, stroke, migraines, depression, and more

🥗 Practical, evidence-based steps to protect your brain through food and movement

Dr. Shahrukh Mallik gained his primary medical qualification from the University of London.

He is a specialist in Neurology, having trained at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford, and the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Queen Square, London.

He has an MSc in Clinical Neurology and a PhD in Imaging in Multiple Sclerosis, both from the Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, UCL.

He also has a specialist interest in Public Health, Nutritional Physiology, and the science and practice of Longevity and Optimisation of Metabolic Health, one of the few Neurologists in the world with such an interest.

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Why is it so hard to put our phones down even when we know they’re making us anxious? Today we’re going to unpack the neurochemistry of why we get hooked on devices and games, and how to reclaim our mental wellbeing from somebody who’s helping millions of people do this everyday. 

This week I’m joined by Dr. Alok Kanojia, Harvard-trained psychiatrist and co-founder of Healthy Gamer, to discuss digital devices, the science behind dopamine loops and how to develop a healthy relationship with our phones and more.

We explore:

📲 The brain circuits behind digital addiction (dopamine, the hippocampus, nucleus accumbens + more)

⚠️ Signs your online use is tipping from healthy to harmful

👨‍👩‍👧 Parenting in the digital age how to set boundaries without battles

🧘 The surprising role of Vedic philosophy, meditation, and yoga in rewiring the brain

🔑 Dr. K’s top tools for building a healthy, long-term relationship with technology

If you’ve ever asked yourself “Am I addicted to my phone?” or struggled with screen time limits, this conversation blends science, psychiatry, and ancient wisdom to give you practical strategies for balance.

We also take a massive tangent at the end of this podcast to talk about his spiritual side, the vedic teaching around personality traits and how Alok balances his beliefs about other worlds with a purely science informed approach. This is something I’m personally very interested in and while it’s a slight departure from the rigorous evidence based medicine approach we usually maintain on the DK podcast, I wanted to share this personal perspective with you all.

Check out more from Dr.K https://www.healthygamer.gg/

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Back pain is one of the most common health issues worldwide yet it’s still surrounded by confusion, fear, and myths. In this episode, I sit down with Anthony Ghosh, Consultant Spinal Neurosurgeon, educator and founder of Spine MDT Clinic to separate fact from fiction and give you a practical toolkit for a healthier spine.

What I love about Anthony’s approach is that he created SpineMDT, a modern, multidisciplinary spine care service, that works alongside physiotherapists, osteopaths and chiropractitioners to deliver holistic care to his patients, many of whom he believes would NOT benefit from spinal surgery.

We cover:

💡 Myth-busting: running, lifting weights, posture, mattresses, and more

🧠 What’s really happening when you get back pain and when to seek help

🏋️ The most effective exercises (including the McGill Big 3) for strength and recovery

🛏️ Sleep positions, pillows, shoes and desk-friendly tips to protect your back

🔬 Why surgery often isn’t the quick fix people expect and when it truly changes lives

If you’ve ever wondered whether cracking your back is dangerous, if a herniated disc can heal, or what the best daily routine for back health looks like, this episode has the answers.

He’s also a strong advocate for educating patients and challenging outdated ideas about spine health, a message he regularly shares on his growing YouTube channel, Spine MDT and in clinical practice.

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Today we’re talking about Simon Hill’s personal experience with CVD, what prompted him to have early screening for heart disease and what his results have shown. Which is quite surprising.

Simon has early signs of heart disease and now he has a decision to make around whether he embarks on early drug treatment or delays treatment to watch how it evolves. As many of us become more pragmatic about health screening, it’s a situation that a lot of us will find ourselves in. Especially with the rise in popularity of full body scans.

We also have a discussion around fats, the types of fats in the diet and how one may choose to lower their cholesterol with diet and lifestyle.

We go on a virtual trip to the supermarket with Simon and discuss the framework for how to choose fats. The things you need to ask yourself about consuming fats, including the dose and what you’re eating it with.

Simon Hill, a physiotherapist and nutrition scientist, is dedicated to simplifying health and nutrition information. He began his career interested in the physiology and anatomy related to optimal athletic performance. Then, encouraged by his Dad's heart attack, he turned his attention to nutrition's role in preventing disease and optimising health. Concerned about misleading wellness industry trends, he completed a Master of Science in Human Nutrition at Deakin University.

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“In order to have maximum wellbeing, it’s not enough to sleep, eat well and exercise, you also need to have a purpose, including one that transcends yourself”

This conversation is so important for me personally as I navigate the complex relationship between two parts of my brain. The rational, data driven skeptical side that is unwilling to accept anything without complete proof; and the spiritual side that is inexplicably drawn to certain things and leans into a belief that we are connected to the universe in ways we cannot explain.

Tara and I have known each other for a few years, but as you can tell on this podcast we’re quite close. She unfortunately lost her partner 4 years ago to cancer, which she describes in detail in her latest book. But after his death she began to experience what she intuitively believed were signs from her partner. Highly improbable coincidences, chance happenings and events that were simply impossible to ignore.

At first, this led her down a path of first questioning her mental state, but using her experience as a medical doctor and neuroscientist she began to explore the science of consciousness and explored the possibility of trusting her instincts and intuition of what she believes to be true.

According to Tara, these strange nudges and connections with people who have died are not random, and it’s time we took them seriously.

We explore what we’ve lost in our modern lives, how our brain filters reality and what we might be missing, how to sharpen your intuition so you can spot the signs around you and finding purpose, meaning and connection in your own life.

We explore ancient practices like drumming, humming and vows of silence, as well as spending as much time in nature to connect with the wider universe and tap into our instincts, to live happier and more enriched lives.

We explore the science of terminal lucidity, near death experiences, the art of noticing and what they can teach us about life after death and why leading a spiritual life can be so healthful and healing.

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In this episode, we’re cutting through the noise around strength, longevity, and weight loss with Dr. Gabrielle Lyon, a physician and founder of the muscle-centric medicine movement.

If you’ve ever wondered how to train for long-term health, this is your practical, science-backed guide. We dive into why building and maintaining muscle is essential not just for performance or appearance but for your metabolic health, brain function, immune system, and resilience as you age.

We cover:

💪 Why muscle is the organ of longevity and how it protects against chronic disease

🥗 What a muscle-centric plate looks like

🧠 How muscle influences your mood, memory, and brain health

🏋️‍♀️ The minimum effective dose of resistance training for busy lives

Plus, Dr. Lyon answers your biggest questions about GLP-1s, sarcopenia, protein, supplements, and how men and women should train differently as they age.

If you’re in your 30s, 40s, or beyond and haven’t prioritised muscle this conversation might just change your health trajectory.

Dr. Gabrielle Lyon is an accomplished physician and the New York Times bestselling author of FOREVER STRONG: A New, Science-Based Strategy for Aging Well.

Dr. Lyon's educational and research background includes dual clinical fellowships in geriatrics and nutritional sciences at Washington University, along with undergraduate training in nutritional sciences at the University of Illinois. A highly sought-after educator and consultant, she is an authority in the practical application of protein types and levels for health, performance, aging, and disease prevention. You can find out more from Dr Lyon here at https://drgabriellelyon.com/

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If you’re often tired, struggling with dips in concentration, mood swings, or just not feeling your best your sugar intake might be playing a bigger role than you realise.

Cutting down on sugar isn’t just about reducing your risk of diabetes or heart disease later in life. It can transform how you feel today with more energy, sharper focus, lower inflammation, and a body that’s set up to age well.

In this episode, I go deeper than the usual “sugar is bad” conversation. We cover:

🔎 The hidden sources of sugar (even in so-called “healthy” diets)

🧠 Why reducing sugar really matters for your brain and body

❓ Is sugar addictive and are some types actually better than others?

🚨 Hidden signs your body is getting too much sugar

✅ My 5 practical steps to cut down without giving up everything you love

If you’ve ever wanted a clear, no-nonsense guide to lowering sugar for better health, this is it.

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What if there were chemicals in the air and energy charges in the ground that benefit your brain for better clarity and protection against mental illness? This is what today’s guest has written about in his research and why his prescriptions for better mental health include nature, food, movement, and gratitude.

In this episode I’m joined by Dr. Drew Ramsey, board-certified psychiatrist, author, and pioneer in nutritional psychiatry, to talk about how we can strengthen our mental fitness in today’s world.

We explore:

🌳 Why modern city living takes a toll on the brain and how green spaces restore it

🥦 The power of food and myokines from exercise to fight inflammation

🙏 Simple grounding practices, purpose, and gratitude as medicine for the mind

🌄 Drew’s personal journey moving to the mountains and finding balance with his family

Dr. Ramsey shares practical, science-backed tools for building resilience, protecting your mental health, and reconnecting with what matters most.

Learn how to start your own “outdoor prescription” and build lasting mental fitness for the modern brain.

DREW RAMSEY, MD is a board-certified psychiatrist, author, and leading voice in Nutritional Psychiatry and integrative mental health. He is a Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association and the founder of the Brain Food Clinic and Spruce Mental Health. For twenty years, he served as an assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at Columbia University, where he taught and supervised psychotherapy and nutritional psychiatry.

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Today I’m speaking with world-leading gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulsiewicz about how to heal your gut and keep it working at its best. We get into what inflammation really is, why it matters, and how the food you eat can help you find the right balance.

In this episode…

Dr. Will Bulsiewicz, or "Dr. B," is a celebrated gastroenterologist and gut health expert, founder of popular microbiome nutrition company 38TERA, the New York Times bestselling author of two books, the U.S. Medical Director for ZOE and Adjunct Assistant Professor at Emory School of Medicine. He is a champion for preventing and reversing disease through microbiome optimisation and shares his expertise via social media and at theguthealthmd.com.

I’m super excited about his next book coming out in January 2026, Plant-Powered Plus!

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Dementia is a disease of lifestyle. That’s what my guest Dr Louisa believes, and it’s her mission to get everyone up to speed on the science so we can delay or entirely prevent dementia around the globe.

Today we’re diving into supplements like creatine, omega 3 and vitamin D as they relate to brain health optimisation and prevention of one of the biggest killers in the UK, Dementia. I now personally take these supplements regularly as part of my daily routine and while I don’t necessarily feel immediate benefits, the research is solid enough for me to make this decision.

Dr Louisa specialises in neurophysiology, Alzheimer’s disease prevention, and the science of brain optimisation. Her mission is to live in a world where Alzheimer’s no longer exists. 

Louisa graduated from the University of Sydney Medical School, where her doctoral focus in neurophysiology spotlighted lifestyle interventions and neurodegeneration. After relocating to New York, she advanced her research career by working alongside world-class neurosurgeons, contributing to clinical investigations in cranioplasty and post-neurosurgical outcomes, with a particular emphasis on the role of exercise and nutrition in recovery and brain health.

A trusted advisor to high-performing athletes and healthcare professionals, Louisa translates complex neuroscience into actionable strategies for longevity, brain health, and performance. 

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🎙️ In today’s episode, I’m joined by Professor Ailsa Welch, a leading expert in nutritional epidemiology at the University of East Anglia. We explore the silent yet powerful changes that begin in midlife how aging affects our muscles, bones, and metabolism, and why prevention in your 40s, 50s and 60s is key. From sarcopenia and osteoporosis to frailty and fracture risk, we unpack how these conditions interact with one another, and what the latest science says about maintaining strength and vitality as we age.

We discuss ..

How muscle and bone structure evolve with age

The role of skeletal muscle in metabolising carbs, fats, and protein

Key mechanisms of aging:

The impact of diet on these processes, including nutrients like:

💡 Most importantly, we offer practical, evidence-based advice for people in midlife and beyond: what to eat, how to move, and what to look out for when it comes to micronutrient deficiencies and supplementation.

Professor Ailsa Welch led the development of dietary assessment methods for the EPIC-Study (European Prospective Investigations into Cancer and Nutrition) between 1993 & 2007. She has more than 23,000 citations!

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You may have heard of the liver king, but today we have the sprout king on the show. 

Doug Evans is the Founder and CEO of The Sprouting Company. He was a former paratrooper in the U.S. Army’s 82nd Airborne Division and an early pioneer in the natural food industry, he authored the national bestseller The Sprout Book, and he now lives in Wonder Valley Hot Springs in Southern California

Doug is on a mission to make sprouting mainstream. After learning about sprouts as the most nutritious food on the planet, he wants everyone to get as excited about sprouting as he is.

This is a fun episode where we break down a little bit about the science but also the joy around creating your own food on a counter top with the most potent ingredient we have access to. The seed.

Unlocking the benefits of seeds via sprouting has been a game changer for me and my health. I use lentil, mung bean, broccoli and sunflower sprouts weekly in my meals and whenever I share them online, I always get asked about where they come from. I spoke about how to sprout in my first cook book, but now you can sprout your own using handy tools like Doug's Sprouting jars (that you can see for yourself on YouTube). You can find them in health food stores, but they’re so easy to make yourself at home, giving you access to nature's true multivitamin!

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Longevity is exploding in popularity. On my recent trip to LA it’s very apparent that bio hacking has morphed into a genuine branch of medicine that legitimate medical researchers and doctors are practicing. One of those people at the forefront is Dr Darshan Shah, a board certified surgeon who has performed over 20,000 surgical operations, including trauma and complex reconstructive procedures. As a Longevity Medicine specialist, he has advised thousands of patients on how to optimize their well-being and extend their healthspan and lifespan.

Dr. Shah earned his medical degree at the age of 21, becoming one of the youngest doctors in the United States. He continued his training at the Mayo Clinic, has authored numerous papers and patented medical devices. Dr. Shah’s belief in continual education and self-improvement has earned him alumni status at Harvard Business School, Singularity University, and other prestigious institutions.

Today I sat down with Darshan at one of his Next Health Clinic branches in West Hollywood to discuss the 4 pillars of longevity, which are …

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Could modern life be a little too comfortable for our ancient bodies? This week, I’m exploring the idea that our 21st-century lifestyle might be mismatched with what our biology evolved for and how reintroducing a few ancient challenges could help you feel sharper, calmer, and more resilient.

Without going full caveman, there are a few mild and ‘natural’ stressors that may have benefits to our bodies and considering how comfortable our lives are today, would require us to purposely reintroduce.

I dive into:

Today’s episode was influenced by the conversation I had with Dr Leo Pruimboom about the science of ‘intermittent living’. The benefit of these challenges isn’t in the challenge itself, it’s in the recovery. And fasting, movement, temperature, and more mirror the environments we evolved in.

To enjoy the benefits of these, I don’t think it requires a complete lifestyle overhaul, I see these as gentle nudges to remind your body what it was built for. The key is dose. Not too much, not too little. 

Remember, this isn’t a one-size-fits-all formula. It’s a curious invitation to explore how mild, short-term stressors can unlock long-term health. These aren’t replacements for healthy habits, just small extras that might make a big difference.

This area of research is still evolving. Not all ancient humans lived the same way. There wasn’t one perfect lifestyle. And while the theory behind intermittent living is fascinating, it’s not a prescription.

Think of it as adding a few evolutionary ingredients back into your modern life!

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Nutrition today is noisy. If you spend five minutes on Instagram or YouTube, you’ll see someone telling you that seed oils are poison, soy will mess up your hormones or butter in your coffee will make you live forever.

The truth is, fear sells really well. But real life is usually a bit more simple and a lot more nuanced.

So, how do we make sense of all this in our day-to-day lives? That’s what we’re tackling today. I’ve got Max Lugavere with me. He’s a health and science journalist and New York Times best-selling author on a crusade to help you live longer and feel better.

We don’t agree on everything, which is exactly why this will be a good one to listen to. We’re going to unpack some of the biggest myths that confuse people right now, where these ideas come from, what current research actually shows and what both of us think is a reasonable middle ground.

If you’ve ever stood in the oil aisle wondering if sunflower oil is going to kill you or if you should swap it for beef tallow, stick around. Let’s get into it.

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This episode is for anyone whose life doesn’t always follow a perfect routine. Shift workers, new parents, students, frequent flyers... basically, all of us at some point. 💤🌍✈️

If you’ve ever felt out of sync, foggy, tired at odd hours, or struggled with digestion or mood your circadian rhythm might be to blame.

Today I dive into …

We can’t always control our schedule but we can work with our biology, not against it.

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“You can take a human out of being in nature, but you can’t take nature out of the human being” This is the statement I pose to Dr Leo right at the beginning of our chat today, and I think it encapsulates the essence of our conversation.

Today we’re going to discuss the comfort crisis and the importance of ‘ancient stressors’ to support modern health.

To give some context to this discussion, it seems like we’ve made life easier than ever. Meals on demand, warmth at the press of a button, and barely a reason to move. But this relentless convenience could be silently eroding our health. In this episode, we ask the provocative question: Has modern comfort become our newest disease? 

In other words, our biology still expects challenge. When we remove all friction from daily life, we also remove the very triggers that kept us metabolically flexible, mentally sharp, and emotionally resilient.

From fasting and thirst to cold plunges and plant toxins, we explore the science of intermittent living, the idea that reintroducing short bursts of ancient stressors might act like a vaccine against the chronic diseases of modern life.

We unpack:

Dr Leo Pruimboom is a physiologist, medical biochemist, who has dedicated his

life to the development of PNI as a clinical science converting a translational

medical science into a solution focused discipline in which the body is considered

a complete interconnected soma in which everything is everywhere at the same

time. 

In 1987 he established the European Academy of CPNI and collaborated with

multiple international Universities. Today, Pruimboom Institute holds 10 different

Campuses worldwide to provide specialised CPNI training to medical professionals

and other healthcare practitioners.

Throughout his career, Dr Pruimboom has helped thousands of patients from

around the world and has become an internationally recognised researcher and

lecturer.

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Let’s unpack the world of probiotics. What they are, how they work, and who might actually benefit from taking them.

Today you’ll learn about the science behind probiotic strains, explore whether fermented foods like kefir and kimchi are enough, and discuss when probiotics may help with issues like IBS, supporting our immune health, or even preventing antibiotic related side effects.

To help us with this complicated topic, we have Dr Megan Rossi on the show today. She’s the founder of The Gut Health Doctor®, and is one of the most influential gut health specialists internationally, and a leading Research Fellow at King’s College London. She’s a registered dietitian and nutritionist but Dr Megan has an award-winning PhD in Probiotics.

She is also the founder of the gut health food brand, Bio&Me, and she has launched a targeted range of clinically-proven live bacteria supplements, SMART STRAINS®.

Dr Megan also shares how to navigate the supplement aisle with confidence, what to look for on a label (such as the Genus, Species and Strain), and how probiotics compare to other foods with probiotic-like effects and other foundational gut health habits like fibre and plant diversity.

There is no financial affiliation of any kind with Doctor’s Kitchen and Dr Megan’s brand of probiotics.

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If you ordered a steak at a restaurant are you essentially ordering a heart attack or a nutrient-rich whole food?

Few foods spark more debate than red meat. It’s been blamed for heart disease, cancer and diabetes, but some people praise it for being high in iron, zinc, vitamin B12 and quality protein. So, if you add red meat to your plate is it helpful or harmful?

Whether you eat meat or avoid it, I think you’ll find today’s conversation cuts through the noise of social media and clears up a lot of confusion in the nutrition space. I wanted to disentangle the obvious issues surrounding environmental concerns of eating animal products from today's discussion, and simply talk through the data as we have it. It’s given me a lot to think about when it comes to recommendations for people, as well as how concerned I would be about red meat consumption overall.

Today we’re chatting with researcher and academic Dr. Kevin Maki, PhD, who specialises in clinical studies on nutrition, metabolism, and chronic disease risk factors. He's also an Adjunct Professor at Indiana University School of Public Health, a Master and Past President of the National Lipid Association, and a Fellow of the American Heart Association and The Obesity Society. Dr. Maki has participated in over 300 clinical trials and published more than 250 scientific papers, books and book chapters.

You’re going to learn about:

We also talk about seed oils, plus high protein diets and their relationship to kidney disease, longevity and diabetes risk.

The 4 big takeaways I got from this episode were:

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Are you truly allergic to dairy or just intolerant? Can headaches, joint pain or fatigue be signs of hidden allergies? And what about those online food intolerance tests? Can you trust them?

In this episode, Dr Helen brings clarity and evidence to the confusing world of food allergies, intolerances and sensitivities.

We cover:

We also explore rising allergy rates, the hygiene hypothesis, environmental triggers including plant-based proteins, and what is actually working in clinics today, such as immunotherapy and support networks.

If you or someone you love is navigating the food allergy maze, this episode is full of practical and science-based insights.

Dr Helen Evans Howells is a GP with a Master's in Allergy with distinction from the University of Southampton. She trained and worked with the hospital’s allergy team for over four years. She now runs a specialist allergy clinic offering food immunotherapy for children and lectures widely across the UK and internationally. Dr Helen is a trustee of Anaphylaxis UK, Chair of its Clinical and Scientific Panel and former Chair of the Primary Care Group at the British Society of Allergy.

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Have you ever wondered if some people simply have a fast metabolism? You know the kind of people that seem to be able to eat anything and still maintain a healthy weight? Does your metabolism slow as you age? What about the effect of the menopause? And are intermittent fasting and certain supplements evidence based ways to speed up your metabolism?

These are the questions I put to Dr Adam Collins, researcher at University of Surrey where I completed my Nutritional Medicine Masters. Dr Collins is a well-known expert in metabolism and nutrition science. He's done a lot of research on energy expenditure, intermittent fasting, and how different diets affect metabolism.

Topics we cover include …

🔬 What is metabolism?

🐢 Can you actually have a “slow” metabolism?

📉 Metabolism and aging

❄️ Cold exposure for metabolism

😰 Stress and metabolic dysfunction

🔁 What is metabolic flexibility?

❤️ Why it matters (beyond weight)

⚡ Carbs vs fat—who fuels what?

🧠 How to boost metabolic flexibility

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Up to 40% of cancers are attributable to modifiable risk factors, including diet, obesity, alcohol, tobacco use, and physical inactivity. The WCRF estimates that about 1 in 3 cancer cases in high-income countries could be prevented by healthier diets, maintaining a healthy weight, and regular physical activity. And according to the National Cancer Institute in the US, physical inactivity is a recognized risk factor for colon, breast, and endometrial cancer.

But even with the best intentions there’s a lot of confusion around lifestyle and cancer. One day it’s red meat, the next it’s microwaves. We hear about them in headlines, social media posts or passed around in conversation, which can make it really hard to know what matters most.

I’m joined today by Professor Robert Thomas, an NHS oncologist and researcher who’s spent decades studying how lifestyle (from food and movement to gut health and supplements) affects cancer risk and recovery.

We talk about …

🧠 Common cancer myths - mushrooms and herbs

🥗 Anticancer diets – What to eat to reduce your risk.

🦠 Gut health & cancer – The powerful connection between your microbiome and cancer.

🔥 Inflammation & risk – How chronic inflammation increases cancer susceptibility.

🏃‍♂️ Exercise & cancer – The science behind how movement helps fight cancer cells.

🧴 Microplastics & personal care products – The hidden risks in everyday items.

💄 Aluminium in makeup & deodorants – Investigating the potential health impacts.

👶 Fertility impact – How lifestyle and environmental exposures may affect reproductive health.

He’s also recently appointed Head of Integrative Oncology at The Royal London Hospital for Integrative Medicine making him the UK’s first NHS Integrative Oncologist, to complement his existing role as an NHS Consultant Oncologist at Addenbrooke's and Bedford Hospitals. He is also a Clinical Teacher at Cambridge University. At the start of our conversation we talk about his new role and the types of patients he encounters.

View the podcast on our YouTube Channel

You can find out more from Professor on his YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@ProfThomasMD

Books: How to Live, Keeping healthy with Cancer

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Today marks the 300th episode of The Doctor’s Kitchen podcast!

I started this journey 8 years ago and since then I’ve sat down with world-class researchers, doctors, nutritionists, neuroscientists, exercise physiologists and many more, all with the aim of sharing their knowledge so you can improve your health and understanding of food and lifestyle medicine.

What has made the biggest difference to me personally are a few simple rituals I return to, even when I am sleep deprived, overwhelmed… or caring for a very cute but very demanding newborn.

In this episode, I’m walking you through the daily and weekly habits, shared by some of our amazing guests, that have actually stuck. The ones that help me feel better, think more clearly and stay grounded, no matter what the week throws at me.

Episodes referenced in this podcast:

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It’s World Gut Health Day this week (officially known as World Digestive Health Day), and I wanted to do a dive into something I get asked about more frequently. And that’s leaky gut.

I’m cutting through the supplement marketing and scary-sounding terms to talk about:

For gut-friendly recipes, check out our collection in the Doctor’s Kitchen app and website – all designed with fibre, polyphenols and plant variety in mind to support a healthy gut.

👉 https://tdk.link/gut-health-recipes

Papers referenced

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6790068/#S10https://www.clinicalnutritionjournal.com/article/S0261-5614(21)00416-7/fulltexthttps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29519916/https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8427160/#s1

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We brush our teeth every day. It’s one of those things we do without thinking. But your mouth is doing so much more than just housing your teeth. It has a strong link with protecting your heart, avoiding type 2 diabetes and even potentially preventing dementia. 

In fact having a regular hygienist appointment can improve your blood sugar levels and significantly reduce inflammation in the body.

Flossing, brushing properly and even tongue scraping is far more than keeping your teeth looking spick and span, it’s critical to keeping inflammation in balance which could extend to longevity benefits. But what about fluoride in toothpaste, mouth washes, antibacterial gums and prebiotic flossing?

Today, I’m joined by Dr Victoria Sampson - a functional dentist and researcher who’s changing how we think about oral health. She’s helping us understand that the mouth isn’t separate from the rest of the body, it’s also where chronic disease shows up.

Today we’ll discuss:

👄 The 5 signs your mouth is trying to tell you about your health

🧠 What your oral health reveals about your brain, heart and gut

🦷 How to care for your mouth in under 5 minutes a day

👩🏽‍⚕️ The daily routine a dentist wants you to follow

💦 Why saliva is much more important than you think

🔬Whether we should be testing our ‘oral microbiome’?

We’ll also talk about why I’m going to be adding propolis, mouth taping, chewing gum and tongue scraping to my regime. If you’re interested in learning more about Dr Victoria’s clinic and tests, check the show notes or head to https://thslabs.co.uk

Oral Microbiome Test (ORALIS-1): https://thslabs.co.uk/

@Drvictoriasampson

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I asked some of the brilliant minds we've had on The Doctor’s Kitchen Podcast (doctors, neuroscientists, psychiatrists, nutritionists) one question: What’s your number one tip for better mental health? 

The truth is, there’s no single fix. Mental health is a mosaic of biology, lifestyle, connection, meaning and nourishment. It’s not something we “deal with” when things fall apart. It’s something we need to tend to every day, like we do with brushing our teeth or watering plants.

These insights are not only evidence-based, but deeply human. I hope you find something in this episode that resonates with you, whether it’s a small shift, a fresh perspective or a reminder to care of yourself.

You’ll hear from:

I’ll be giving you the low down on food and mental health to kick off the episode too!

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What if ageing well had less to do with your genes, your skincare routine or the supplements you take ... and more to do with your immune system?

Most of us think about immunity as something that only matters when we’re fighting off a cold or flu. But actually, it’s quietly working behind the scenes every single day shaping how we feel, how we recover and how long we stay well.

Our immune health is also constantly evolving and changing over our lifecycle. From birth to our 20s, midlife and beyond our immune system plays a critical role in how we feel, our risk of disease and how well we age.

Dr Jenna Macciochi is an immunologist specialising in the intersection of nutrition, movement, mind-body practices and lifestyle with the immune system in health and disease. 

She’s also a brilliant science communicator who has a beautiful way of weaving science with story. In her new book, Immune to Age, Dr Jenna reframes immunity not as a fortress that springs into action, but as a lifelong partner guiding us through the seasons of our lives from the day we’re born to the way we age.

We dive into:

Follow @dr_jenna_macciochi and preorder the book “Immune to Age”

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Seasonal allergies seem to be getting worse. A lot of people are feeling it now.

It’s common to reach for antihistamines without really thinking about it. They definitely have their place and can be really helpful when symptoms are bad. But taking them every day is something we still don't fully understand, especially when it comes to long-term effects.

If you deal with allergies for months each year, it’s worth pausing and exploring strategies that might be more sustainable.

Many healthy habits that support overall health can also help manage inflammation, immune function and allergy symptoms. They’re not always as quick as taking a capsule, but they can make a real difference over time.

In this episode, I'm sharing:

Quick note about nettle: I didn't find much strong research, but that doesn't mean it couldn't help some people. It just shows how much more there is to learn.

Sources

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In today’s episode, I’m talking all about protein - why it matters, how much you really need, and how it could be the missing piece in your approach to health.

I’ll dive into:

 🍳 Why protein is essential for everything from muscle maintenance to hormone production

🌿 The link between increased protein intake and menopausal health

⚖️ How eating more protein can prevent unwanted weight gain

🥣 Why I believe getting enough protein and fibre at breakfast is one of the smartest moves you can make for long-term health and longevity

🚨 The signs and symptoms of low protein intake, and how to spot them before they affect your energy, immunity, or mood

👥 Who’s most at risk of under-consuming protein, and how to make simple, sustainable changes

🥩 What is the best quality protein source

Whether you’re navigating menopause, trying to improve energy levels, or just want to eat in a way that supports your body as it ages, this episode is packed with practical tips and grounded in science.

Grab the new book Healthy High Protein here.

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Today we invite Dr Amrita Vijay to the podcast. She is a leading scientific advisor and researcher specialising in the intersection of diet, the gut microbiome, and health. With a strong background in conducting nutritional interventions in both India and the UK, Dr Vijay explores how food influences inflammation, mood and overall well-being.

We discuss:

We also discuss the differences between pre and probiotics, which probiotics may actually have evidence behind them and her thoughts on gut supporting diets, diversity scoring and lots more.

Dr Vijay was recently awarded the Best Research Award from the University of Nottingham. Passionate about translating cutting-edge science into practical strategies, Dr Vijay is dedicated to empowering individuals with evidence-based insights on how diet and lifestyle can optimise health and well-being.

Probiotic Guide

Doctors Kitchen Bread

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What if everything you thought you knew about cholesterol, fat, and metabolic health was up for debate? As someone interested in nutrition research, I’m always up for exploring differing points of view especially when they come from a rigorous scientific background and can speak to the evidence base. 

So in this episode, I sit down with Dr Nick Norwitz PhD, to challenge some of my long held positions in nutrition science and break down keto.

He’s a researcher and expert in ketogenic diets, lipid metabolism, and metabolic health as well as a current medical student at Harvard Medical school.

We discuss:

🔥 Nick’s personal journey with IBD and the ketogenic diet

🥑 Whether saturated fat actually causes heart disease?

📉 Cholesterol confusion – and whether we should all aim for a lower LDL-C or ApoB by any means necessary?

💡 Keto as a metabolic state vs. a diet – what it means for fat loss

📊 The problems with nutrition research

Plus, we explore how to measure metabolic health, keto adaptation, and whether a high-fat, high-animal-protein diet can be optimal for longevity.

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Today I’m joined by personal trainer Sophie Waplington to break down one of the biggest concerns for plant-based eaters: getting enough protein and maintaining strength.

We tackle common fears around plant-based eating, including:

🥩 "Am I getting enough protein without meat?"

💪 "Will I lose muscle if I switch to a plant-predominant diet?"

💰 "Is plant-based eating too expensive or complicated?"

Together, we explore the science of protein quality, practical meal-building tips, and effective training strategies to support muscle health and strength.

We discuss:

🏋️‍♀️ Resistance Training & Muscle Strength

🍽️ What Does This Look Like in Real Life?

Sophie Waplington is a celebrated plant-based chef, content creator and a highly sought-after fitness expert. Sophie's influence spans the globe with a dedicated fan-base of over 1 million followers. Sophie is steadfast in her mission: to prove that plant-based cuisine can be delicious, nutritionally- robust and protein- packed.

Grab her new book Sophs Plant Kitchen here!

Double Chocolate Cookies!

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Today, I’m joined by Professor Leigh Breen, a leading expert in muscle health and ageing. He’s Professor of Translational Muscle Physiology at the University of Birmingham, where he researches how exercise and nutrition can help us maintain muscle as we get older.

We’ll be covering:

✅ Why strength training is essential for healthy ageing

✅ The key exercises every older adult should be doing

✅ How much protein you actually need as you age

✅ Is walking enough to keep your muscles strong?

✅ How to start strength training if you’ve never done it before

✅ The hidden benefits of exercise, from sharper thinking to blood sugar control

✅ Supplements, new therapies, and what’s on the horizon for muscle health

We’ll also talk about the most important muscle groups for longevity, the best compound exercises to focus on, and how progressive overload can help you stay strong for life.

This is essential information, whether for you, your parents, or someone you love. So share this episode with family and friends who need to hear it! And as always, let us know your thoughts—your feedback helps make the podcast even better.

“Couch to Compound” exercises. These are the ones that give you the most bang for your buck and focus on the muscles that you need to prioritise for healthier ageing.

1. Squat

2. Deadlift

3. Bench or Chest Press

4. Pull Up

5. Lunges / Farmers Walk

6. Planks

And as always, give us feedback to help us make the podcast even better.

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Before we dive in, my new cookbook Healthy High Protein is out now…and it’s a Sunday Times bestseller! I'm super proud of this book and hope you love it too. You can get your copy here.

We know it can be hard to keep up with hours of podcast content every week. In fact, over the past couple of months alone, we’ve shared more than 48 hours of conversations!

So in today’s episode, we’ve distilled some of the key takeaways to save you time and go straight to the expert advice they’ve so generously shared.

If you’re a regular listener, you’ll recognise some familiar voices. You can find the full episodes on The Doctor’s Kitchen website:

We want to hear from you! 🎙️ Ask questions, give feedback and help shape the podcast!

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Is ‘organic’ worth it or just clever marketing? We’ve all been there, standing in the supermarket, holding two identical-looking apples and wondering if the price difference is actually doing anything for our health. And if we want safer food, how do we push for a system where pesticide-free isn’t just for those who can afford organic? Today, I’m asking these big questions to Nick Mole from PAN UK.

We’ll dive into:

This is a scary topic that goes beyond food, and where you may find a lot of people on the internet making definitive claims about the harms of pesticides and GMO, the honest answer to a lot of these questions is unfortunately … we don’t know.

But from what we do know, I think we can all afford to be more pragmatic, skeptical and aware, particularly when it comes to the “cocktail effect”, as we get into later.

Pesticide Action Network UK (PAN UK) is the only UK charity focused solely on tackling the problems caused by pesticides and promoting safe and sustainable alternatives in agriculture, urban areas, homes and gardens. 

Nick joined PAN UK in 2007, having previously worked as a campaigner for the Environmental Investigation Agency. He leads on PAN’s national policy work, undertaking research, analysing data and gathering evidence to support the organisation’s calls to government, regulators, policy-makers, industry and retailers to reduce the impacts of harmful pesticides to both human health and the environment.  

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“High protein” has turned into a bit of a marketing buzzword. I’m seeing it plastered on everything from snack bars to cereals and even crisps. Is this actually necessary? 

Are we getting enough protein in our diet, or are some of us actually under-consuming this vital macronutrient? Do we need supplements and powders or are whole foods enough? And what about the debate between animal based proteins and plant based?

That’s why I’ve put everything I’ve gleaned from the research and years of cooking into my new book, Healthy High Protein, which is out tomorrow.

I’m sitting down with our Science Content Lead, Sakina, to share my take on some of these big questions about protein.

We’ll discuss:

Buy Healthy High Protein here

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Feeding children can feel like a minefield. When should you start weaning, what should you start with, how to handle fussy eaters, and whether certain foods should be avoided altogether? In this episode with Charlotte Stirling-Reed, we’re diving into the science and practicalities of feeding babies, toddlers, and beyond to help parents feel more confident and less overwhelmed .. like me!

We explore weaning from the ground up, covering key questions like:

✔ How do you know when your baby is ready for solids?

✔ Should you start with vegetables?

✔ Is baby-led weaning (BLW) the best approach?

✔ What foods should be avoided in the early years?

But we don’t stop at weaning—we tackle common struggles like:

🥦 How to encourage kids to eat more than just beige foods?

🍽️ Managing food refusal and picky eating (why toddlers reject food at home but eat it at nursery!)

🥕 The best ways to sneak more fruit and veg into your child’s diet

🥜 Navigating food allergies and safe school lunch alternatives

This episode is packed with practical tips, expert insights, and realistic strategies to help make mealtimes smoother and healthier. Charlotte Stirling-Reed, known as “The Baby & Child Nutritionist”, is a registered nutritionist, bestselling author, and founder of SR Nutrition. 

She started her career in the NHS before specialising in maternal, baby, and child nutrition. Charlotte is the author of the Sunday Times bestseller How to Wean Your Baby, an incredible book. Her latest book “The Ultimate Weaning & Toddler Cookbook” will be a go to for me and my family for sure!

And here are links to some of the articles we mentioned during the podcast:

Probiotics and Children, Kids eating fish, Kids throwing food, Vegan weaning

Note: At one point, we said "normal birth" but quickly corrected it to "non-C-Section birth". Some people use "normal birth" to mean vaginal birth, but that can be a bit confusing because vaginal birth isn't always the "normal" choice for everyone.

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What is your gut trying to tell you? It might not speak in words, but it’s always sending signals through your energy levels, mood or even our skin. But most of us don’t think about those little signs as part of a bigger picture.

And a blatant way your gut communicates your general state of health, is through the state of your poo! Quickly flushed away, many of us don’t take the time to examine our poop for signs of health, but if you’re interested in gut health, keeping a track of your stools could be more informative than any wearable or microbe test you can buy!

Today, we’re diving into the world of what our poop says about our gut health with Dr. Emily Leeming, a scientist at King’s College London, registered dietitian and the author of Genius Gut.

You’ll learn:

We also talk about the superpowers of fibre. How it creates “an obstacle course for sugar”, how it can stretch the gut and signal to your brain that you’ve eaten enough and even how it can lower your cholesterol.

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We know that gut health plays a crucial role in everything from digestion to immunity, weight management, and even mental well-being. But what does looking after your gut actually look like in practice?

In this episode, I’m again joined by Dr James Kinross a senior lecturer in colorectal surgery and consultant surgeon at Imperial College London, he’s a researcher, and author ofDark Matter, to explore the science behind our gut microbiome—and how we can take actionable steps to support it every single day.

🔍 Key Topics We Cover:

But rather than just theory, today’s episode is all about practical strategies. We walk through what an ideal gut-health day looks like—from the moment you wake up to your morning routine, commute, meals, work stressors, and even how you wind down at night. Dr. Kinross breaks down:

✔ The best foods to start your day for optimal gut function

✔ What supplements to take (or avoid) for microbiome health

✔ How movement, stress, and even pollution affect your gut

✔ Why gut bacteria plays a role in breaking down food, recycling nutrients, and producing essential compounds

✔ How gut health shifts across different life stages—from newborns to aging adults

We also dive into some big health questions, including:

🧠 The gut-brain connection – how microbes influence serotonin, dopamine, and mood

💊 Post-antibiotic recovery – what to do if you’ve just finished a round of antibiotics

⚖️ Weight control – how gut microbes affect appetite, fat burning, and metabolism

🦠 Cancer risk – why are cases of bowel cancer rising in younger people?

If you’ve ever wondered how to support your gut and why it matters, this is the episode for you.

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What makes a mushroom ‘medicinal’ and are they worth the hype? How do these fungi differ from the everyday varieties we cook with? On this week’s episode of The Doctor’s Kitchen podcast, we’re diving deep into the fascinating world of mushrooms with our expert guest Tom Baxter. 

From Lion’s Mane to Reishi, we’ll explore the unique healing properties of these incredible organisms and what the research reveals about their potential benefits. We’ll discuss their effects on cognitive function, stress, fatigue, and even menopausal symptoms. 

You’ll learn:

🍄 How to source high-quality mushroom products to avoid contaminants

🧑🏽‍🍳 The culinary and nutritional benefits of everyday mushrooms and their environmental impact

🧠 Whether there is evidence that mushrooms can improve mental well-being and support immunity. 

🔎 Whether you’re a skeptic, a mushroom enthusiast, or just curious about these fascinating fungi, this episode is packed with insights to inspire you to add more mushrooms to your diet and daily life.

Tom Baxter is a farmer and founder of The Bristol Fungarium, which produces the UK's first organic certified medicinal mushrooms. Ever conscious of the unfolding ecological collapse that confronts us, Tom made the fateful move away from city life in 2008 to find meaning through working the land. After several educational years establishing his organic vegetable farm and two decades of largely unsuccessful foraging excursions he pivoted from farming and invested everything into creating The Bristol Fungarium, pioneering organic medicinal mushroom production in the UK.

If you’re in the mood for mushrooms, one of my favourite recipes on the doctors kitchen app is the “Cashew Curry with Chickpeas and Crispy Mushrooms” or better still, type in mushroom into the search bar at doctorskitchen.com to see what comes up ;)

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In February 2018, Rebecca Devine, a mum of 4 children, was diagnosed with Glioblastoma (GBM), an aggressive form of brain cancer, and given just 12-15 months to live.

Remarkably in 2025 she’s still here. And today we’re going to talk about her incredible story from diagnosis and treatment, to continual perseverance and ongoing health.

I met Rebecca recently at a small gathering hosted by Dr William Li for the angiogenesis foundation, a non profit whose mission is to beat cancer by targeting blood vessels that feed tumours. And it was there that I first came across her story that I’m privileged to share with you today.

Today we’ll talk about how Rebecca’s first experience with cancer was over 20 years ago when her mother was struck with the same diagnosis, and the emotional and physical journey Rebecca went on since 2018. We’ll talk about her blend of conventional therapy, diet and lifestyle pursuits as well as the novel vaccine based treatment that she currently uses to keep her condition in remission.

Peptide vaccine technology is an emerging immunotherapy strategy aimed at stimulating the immune system to target tumor-specific antigens. GBM, is aggressive and resistant to standard therapies and peptide vaccines hold potential for transforming treatment by leveraging the immune system for tumor-specific targeting.

I also firmly believe that the use of novel treatments combined with Rebecca's tenacity, mindset and unwillingness to give up is the reason why she’s defied all odds and is currently thriving.

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I spend a ton of time exercising, but more recently I’ve wondered if I can direct my training to be as efficient as possible. If I’m going to spend hours each week on this activity, I want to ensure that I’m extracting the maximum amount of value I can from this time investment.

Coupled with the new perspective of being a father, I’m also interested in staying as fit, healthy and mentally sharp as I can. That’s why at the start of 2024, I decided to invest in a few investigations to determine my level of fitness and direct my training for efficiency.

On the pod today is Mr. Kiran Chopra a highly skilled Sport and Exercise Physiologist who actually performed my investigations that you’ll be able to see on YouTube if you’re interested in seeing me huff and puff, sweating away on a watt bike with my top off.

Kiran specialises in physiological testing, evaluation, and strength as well as reconditioning. He has expertise working with both athletic and non-athletic populations and has a strong research interest in muscular physiology, environmental performance physiology, and blood flow restriction training.

Today we’re going to focus our conversation around 3 tests that he believes are just as useful as cholesterol testing and blood pressure monitoring, which are RMR, Dexa and VO2 Max.

If you’ve never heard of these, don’t worry we’re going to break down what they are and why they’re useful as a guide to what you should be eating and how you should be exercising to keep you strong and fit into your later years. Of course, the first uphill battle is to make exercise a habit, but once you have it as a non-negotiable in your week like myself, the next step would be how to prioritise specific types of exercise to make your training as efficient as possible.

We also talk about protein requirements, how training changes as we age, the effect of exercise on our mitochondria, what we should eat if we train late in the evening and whether fasted cardio is better for fat burning.

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In this episode, TJ is going to walk us through a single day in the life of your brain through the lens of 4 neurochemicals - dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin, and endorphins. 

From the moment you wake up to the way you wind down at night, TJ will guide us through the incredible influence of our brain chemistry and how simple, everyday habits can reshape our mental and physical health.

TJ’s new book, The DOSE Effect, shares practical tools to unlock the power of your brain chemistry and create a happier, healthier, and more connected life. Available in all good book stores.

We talk about the importance of “fasting” from your phone

The impact of nature on our brains

Push up challenges to boost endorphins

How doing hard things changes our physical brain and can help us stay more disciplined and motivated

Cold and Heat therapies

TJ is a renowned neuroscientist, international speaker, and co-founder of Neurify, an organisation dedicated to transforming mental health through accessible, science-backed strategies. He’s worked with 1000s of people helping them break down the barriers between modern lifestyles and optimal mental well-being.

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Something I’ve become a lot more knowledgeable about after my training as a GP, is cholesterol. It’s probably the most important measurement every primary care doctor should know about, along with measures of metabolic health like weight, insulin resistance and blood pressure, but perhaps the least well understood.

On today's episode we do a deep dive into all things cholesterol and cardiovascular disease with Professor Kausik Ray, Professor of Public Health and Honorary Cardiologist at Imperial College London and President of the European Atherosclerosis Society, and perhaps the most knowledgeable person I could talk to on this subject who has both research and clinical expertise in this area. 

We define exactly what we’re referring to when we say cardiovascular disease (CVD) and atherosclerosis. What that entails and why it’s important, being the leading cause of death globally. 

We discuss the importance of cholesterol in the body. Without cholesterol there is no life. Cholesterol is the precursor to our hormones, it forms the structural components of our cells, and most of our cells are able to create the cholesterol we require hence why there is no nutritional need to consume cholesterol.

And, hopefully at the end of this episode you’ll learn more about why the trifecta of high cholesterol, inflammation and damage to the arteries leads to disease, what blood measurements we should all have to calculate our risk, including apolipoprotein-B containing lipoproteins, Non-HDL and Lp(a), as well as the strategies to reduce risk with drugs and lifestyle.

I’ve done other episodes on specific foods and dietary patterns to reduce cholesterol, but this I think is a necessary episode to give the backdrop to why this is important for everyone to know their numbers.

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Going into 2025, we all want to make changes. But instead of focusing on new goals, and perhaps stacking more habits on top of ones that you’ve already got, or failed at before, maybe it’s time to break free from habits that hold you back? Perhaps this is the reason why you struggle to make changes that last?

On today’s episode,  Dr Rangan and I unpack some of the concepts in his latest book “Make Change that Lasts”, diving into topics like minimal reliance. Rangan questions whether reliance on things like comfort, being liked and even experts, is actually holding us back from our true selves.

You can grab a copy of his book online and in good bookstores.

We explore concepts such as reframing, not taking offence and even the courage to be disliked, which incidentally is the name of one of my favourite books by Ichiro Kishimi, which explains Alfred Adler's philosophy of not living to satisfy the expectations of others.

Dr Rangan Chatterjee is one of the most influential doctors in the UK with over two decades of experience as a GP. He now hosts Europe's biggest health podcast, Feel Better, Live More,he is the author of 5 Sunday Times bestsellers.

I think this is going to be a powerful conversation to hear and I hope you enjoy it!

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Welcome to this quarterly reviewepisode with Sakina, science writer & researcher at Doctor’s Kitchen. Every quarter, we pull together insights from recent expert-packed podcasts into one episode - to make it easier to take action.

👉 Tell us what you think & ask questions here.

Today, we dive into pain, which affects so many of us – whether it’s back pain, joint pain, headaches, IBS or chronic conditions like fibromyalgia and endometriosis. Even menstrual pain, often brushed off as “normal”, can significantly disrupt daily life. This episode is all about giving you tools and ideas to feel better.

 We cover:

If you want to dive deeper into the full episodes:

Papers we referenced:

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Dr Mindy Pelz is back on the show talking about what foods to break your fast with, the fat burning potential of specific ingredients and how she thinks about cooking food for health and vitality.

I love talking to various thought leaders across the health and wellbeing space, which is why I’ll speak to a professor of immunology, a psychologist and a chiropractitioner all on the same podcast. You don’t get many people in the nutrition space willing to engage people from other disciplines that they don’t get along with.

I’ll be honest, some of the terminology I hear online like detox, fat burning and immune boosting does get my back up. But it’s also the simple way people think about complex subjects. In a similar vein you still get medical doctors referring to cholesterol as good and bad, which is completely incorrect. So we can’t be too judgmental.

I love chatting with and hanging out with Mindy Pelz, she’s full of energy, motivational and has helped countless women around the world take control of their health. Her new book, “eat like a girl” is a fantastic recipe book that dives into what and how we should be eating whether or not you choose to fast. We also cooked one of her recipes in the kitchen which was awesome.

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Today we’re diving into how nutrition intersects with the complicated world of pain. Today I have former guest and colleague Prof. Dr Deepak Ravindran to talk to us about how our immune system can impact our perception of pain, the different types of pain patients and how we can do better as medical professionals in the management of chronic pain.

This topic covers IBS, pelvic pain, chronic cystitis, fibromyalgia, migraine, functional gut disorders, long covid and more. Pain cannot be explained by a singular pathway, and I think there is so much we could all learn from Deepak's insights on this topic.

We discuss the different types of pain patients, how the immune system trains our responses to pain, how trauma in childhood can impact our responses to pain and why food plays a pivotal role.

Deepak is Honorary Professor at Teesside University and has worked as an NHS Consultant in Pain management, he’s author of the “Pain Free Mindset” a fantastic book that I recommend to both patients and medical colleagues. His new role is Director of Lifestyle Medicine for a primary care network (PCN) of GP practices in Reading, UK, working upstream to bring these insights early in the chain of pain management.

We talk about the use of fasting, anti-inflammatory diets, the importance of gut supportive diets and key ingredients that could be useful for chronic pain sufferers.

🎬 Watch the podcast on YouTube here

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*The Doctor's Kitchen App gives you access to all of our recipes, with specific suggestions tailored to your health needs and new recipes added every month. We’ve had some amazing feedback so far and we have new features being added all the time - check it out with a 14 day free trial too.

Do check out this week’s “Eat, Listen, Read” newsletter, that you can subscribe to on our website - where I send you a recipe to cook as well as some mindfully curated media to help you have a healthier, happier week.

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I’m often asked by colleagues and patients for a full breakdown of what I say in clinic with patients with type 2 diabetes or who are at higher risk of this condition to help them better manage it before medications. But it takes time. And no GP in the NHS or elsewhere has over an hour to explain this in enough detail such that people can understand how to take action themselves.

The recommendations for medical professionals is for them to explore diet and lifestyle options before turning to pharmaceuticals for the management of type 2 diabetes. But with less than 10 minutes per appointment, this is an impossible task.

This is the basis of today's podcast. If I had an hour with you, or your loved one, this is how I would explain what type 2 diabetes is, why sugar control is so important and what things you can do to prevent or better manage the condition and even potentially put it into remission.

I would love to know your comments and feedback on today's episode, so if you have any suggestions, please leave a comment on YouTube and do share this with anyone who you feel could benefit from the information.

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*The Doctor's Kitchen App gives you access to all of our recipes, with specific suggestions tailored to your health needs and new recipes added every month. We’ve had some amazing feedback so far and we have new features being added all the time - check it out with a 14 day free trial too.

Do check out this week’s “Eat, Listen, Read” newsletter, that you can subscribe to on our website - where I send you a recipe to cook as well as some mindfully curated media to help you have a healthier, happier week.

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Six conditions cause the majority of deaths in the world, these include dementia and cardiovascular disease. Traditionally, we’ve looked at these conditions through the lens of what goes wrong individually, such as blocked arteries around the heart or tangles of proteins that impair electrical signalling in the brain. But the common denominator is actually ageing.

As grandiose and esoteric as that sounds, ageing and the processes that govern ageing are what we need to be tackling if we want to better manage or even prevent these conditions of older age.

And with me to discuss why and how we age is Richard Faragher. He’s Professor of Biological Gerontology at the University of Brighton, and has dedicated his career to understanding the ageing process and what we can do to improve this inevitable phase of life.

As you can tell from today's episode, Richard is a passionate advocate for older people and can wax lyrical about the history of the gerontology field.

A few definitions before we dive into the episode I think will be helpful for people who are new to the research.

There are agreed “hallmarks” of ageing that are a description of processes, such as metabolism and DNA repair functions, that go awry as we grow older. Ageing is caused by these changes at the molecular level that lead to downstream effects like disease and degeneration.

Cell senescence is what happens at the end of a cell's lifespan, where they become dysfunctional and need to be removed by immune cells. However in older age, it can become more troublesome for your immune system to clear away these senescent cells and increasing inflammation ensues.

Senolytics are compounds or drugs that have been designed to selectively eliminate these senescent cells. And the hope is that they can mitigate a range of age-associated conditions like arthritis, cataracts, dementia and more.

Trigger warning. We discuss a graphic analogy for senescent cells using suicide, so I just wanted to give a heads up for anyone who might find that analogy uncomfortable.

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Karen O’Donoghue is a champion for not only better bread, but also better food quality, choices and better growing methods.

We originally recorded this session in the studio as a recipe to be cut down and edited for YouTube. But when I watched it back I thought that this could easily be a podcast episode. The way Karen breaks down in simple terms the benefits of processes like soaking to maximise the accessibility of nutrients in the flour, is perfect for a long form listen. 

You can watch the full episode on YouTube if you’re interested in how this recipe turned out, but I think you’ll be able to imagine just how good it looked, smelt and tasted from our descriptions alone.

Karen and her company, Happy Tummy Co inform people about the need to spend more on health by spending more on better quality food, invest in the soil and re-engage with the food supply. You can check out Karen’s bread, recipes and idyllic bakery in Ireland at www.thehappytummyco.com PLUS, we cook up a bunch of different bread recipes on our YouTube channel, just search ‘Karen’ on The Doctor’s Kitchen to find the videos.

🎬 Watch the podcast on YouTube here

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*The Doctor's Kitchen App gives you access to all of our recipes, with specific suggestions tailored to your health needs and new recipes added every month. We’ve had some amazing feedback so far and we have new features being added all the time - check it out with a 14 day free trial too.

Do check out this week’s “Eat, Listen, Read” newsletter, that you can subscribe to on our website - where I send you a recipe to cook as well as some mindfully curated media to help you have a healthier, happier week.

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I recently had the pleasure of hosting a panel of experts at London’s Fortnum and Mason's Food & Drink Studio at their Piccadilly store to discuss the wonderful world of mushrooms with Tim Spector, Tom Baxter and Ester Gaya.

We discussed a range of topics including, what nootropic effects we know about with specific mushrooms and what research underpins this understanding. The use of psychedelic mushrooms and their potential uses in mental health and trauma. As well as how culinary mushrooms can enhance our health.

Tom Baxter, founder of The Bristol Fungarium, producing the UK's first organic certified medicinal mushrooms.

Tim Spector is a Professor of Genetic Epidemiology at King’s College London, director of the Twins UK study and one of the world’s leading researchers, trained in rheumatology and epidemiology.

Ester Gaya, Senior Research Leader in Comparative Fungal Biology at Kew Gardens, who have a strong track record in fungal diversity research and are home to the largest fungarium in the world, holding over 1.25 million fungal specimens.

🎬 Watch the podcast on YouTube here

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*The Doctor's Kitchen App gives you access to all of our recipes, with specific suggestions tailored to your health needs and new recipes added every month. We’ve had some amazing feedback so far and we have new features being added all the time - check it out with a 14 day free trial too.

Do check out this week’s “Eat, Listen, Read” newsletter, that you can subscribe to on our website - where I send you a recipe to cook as well as some mindfully curated media to help you have a healthier, happier week.

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Increasing fruit and vegetable consumption sounds so trivial, but I honestly believe that concerted efforts to increase this key measure of our diet quality would culminate in success. And by success I mean successfully improving people's health, but also increasing the wealth of our communities and alleviating our nation's food supply insecurity.

To explore this concept further with me is Jonathan Pauling, CEO of Alexandra Rose, one of my favourite charities and one that Doctor’s Kitchen supports.

10 years ago Jonathan helped develop its new mission - to improve access to healthy and affordable food for all. They built the ‘Rose Vouchers’ for Fruit & Veg Project to pioneer the use of financial incentives to help families on low incomes avoid food insecurity, nutrition insecurity and food related ill-health. From small pilots in London supporting 45 families, this work has now spread around the UK supporting 3,500 families every week.

The scheme works by giving families literal cash in the form of rose vouchers that can be used at local food markets in exchange for fresh produce. It’s increased fruit and vegetable consumption by a staggering amount as we’ll get into during the podcast, and I was genuinely shocked at some of the impressive numbers that Jonathan shared with me.

Today we explore the economic and health incentives for why this scheme should be adopted across every local authority and NHS commissioners to not only help the millions of people living in financial hardship in the UK, but also to alleviate the burden on our health system.

🎬 Watch the podcast on YouTube here

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🌐 View full show notes, including guest details, on our website

*The Doctor's Kitchen App gives you access to all of our recipes, with specific suggestions tailored to your health needs and new recipes added every month. We’ve had some amazing feedback so far and we have new features being added all the time - check it out with a 14 day free trial too.

Do check out this week’s “Eat, Listen, Read” newsletter, that you can subscribe to on our website - where I send you a recipe to cook as well as some mindfully curated media to help you have a healthier, happier week.

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This episode of the podcast is a fun one with myself, Mrs Doctor’s Kitchen (Rochelle) and Dr Anita Mitra where we explain a bit of Rochelle’s journey through pregnancy.

We discuss what she’s been eating, how I’ve been thinking about nutrition for her and what questions I’ve been dealing with over the preceding months to do with lifestyle, ingredients to support fetal development and prevent nausea.

Dr Anita Mitra is an NHS doctor based in London working in Obstetrics & Gynaecology, with experience in both clinical medicine and research. She’s worked in a research lab on the anticancer mechanisms of various phytonutrients and she has recently completed her PhD on the vaginal microbiome in cervical precancer.

🎬 Watch the podcast on YouTube here

📱 Download The Doctor’s Kitchen app for free*

🌐 View full show notes, including guest details, on our website

*The Doctor's Kitchen App gives you access to all of our recipes, with specific suggestions tailored to your health needs and new recipes added every month. We’ve had some amazing feedback so far and we have new features being added all the time - check it out with a 14 day free trial too.

Do check out this week’s “Eat, Listen, Read” newsletter, that you can subscribe to on our website - where I send you a recipe to cook as well as some mindfully curated media to help you have a healthier, happier week.

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On today's episode of the Doctor’s Kitchen I sit down with Sakina Okoko, science writer and researcher at Doctor’s Kitchen, to discuss the most impactful tips from recent pods: Brain fog, gut health, alcohol, spices to beat colds and more.

We have so many fascinating conversations with experts in their fields who not only expand our understanding of specific topics but also inspire us to change or add certain habits even in the office.

But with so much content that we’re putting out, there’s not always enough time in the day to listen to every single discussion. So we’ve pulled together our favourite insights from our recent episodes over the last quarter. Everything you need to know in one place!

If you want to dive into the full pod episodes, check them out here:

🎬 Watch the podcast on YouTube here

📱 Download The Doctor’s Kitchen app for free*

🌐 View full show notes, including guest details, on our website

*The Doctor's Kitchen App gives you access to all of our recipes, with specific suggestions tailored to your health needs and new recipes added every month. We’ve had some amazing feedback so far and we have new features being added all the time - check it out with a 14 day free trial too.

Do check out this week’s “Eat, Listen, Read” newsletter, that you can subscribe to on our website - where I send you a recipe to cook as well as some mindfully curated media to help you have a healthier, happier week.

🥗 Join the newsletter and 7 day meal plan

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We would love to get your feedback on the subject matter of these episodes - please do let me know on our social media pages (Instagram,Facebook & Twitter) what you think, and give us a 5* rating on your podcast player if you enjoyed today’s episode

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There’s now so much research has shown that ultra-processed foods have been linked to high-blood pressure, heart disease and other serious illnesses, yet the average person in the UK gets a whopping 56% of their calories from UPFs, with an even higher figure for children. 

But all this information can be quite overwhelming. And what we need are strategies to overcome this problem rather than reminders of how bad the issues are.

Melissa has long been an advocate for making wholesome, healthy food at home and is passionate about providing solutions for people who are scared by the headlines, and keen to make cost- and time-effective changes that help us un-process our everyday diet.

Real Healthy is a life-friendly cookbook for time-poor people who want healthy food that’s quick, convenient and tasty, too. Melissa provides simple, doable, and delicious recipes to help you tackle those every day tricky problem areas – on-the-go breakfasts, al desko lunches, satisfying snacks, and easy to make sweet treats.

🎬 Watch the podcast on YouTube here

📱 Download The Doctor’s Kitchen app for free*

🌐 View full show notes, including guest details, on our website

*The Doctor's Kitchen App gives you access to all of our recipes, with specific suggestions tailored to your health needs and new recipes added every month. We’ve had some amazing feedback so far and we have new features being added all the time - check it out with a 14 day free trial too.

Do check out this week’s “Eat, Listen, Read” newsletter, that you can subscribe to on our website - where I send you a recipe to cook as well as some mindfully curated media to help you have a healthier, happier week.

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We would love to get your feedback on the subject matter of these episodes - please do let me know on our social media pages (Instagram,Facebook & Twitter) what you think, and give us a 5* rating on your podcast player if you enjoyed today’s episode

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Is fruit juice just as bad as added sugar?

What are the healthiest vegetables to eat for longevity?

Is dairy helpful or harmful for our health?

These are just some of the questions myself and Professor Tim Spector discuss on today’s podcast. It’s the third time we’ve sat down on the podcast and I’m sure it won’t be the last. 

Our chat today dives into the 6 strategies for healthy eating that Tim details in his new book, including eating 30 Plants a Week, Pivoting Proteins from animal based to plants, and trying Time-Restricted Eating.

In his new Food for Life Cookbook, Tim shares his knowledge of how simple it can be to eat for both pleasure and health. The book will help you make better food choices every day, whatever your starting point. We even made some of the pecan, chocolate cookies in the Doctor’s Kitchen Studio which were incredibly delicious. Made with flax egg, ground almonds and a seed mix, I was genuinely surprised at how tasty they were. You can catch that recipe on the Doctor’s Kitchen YouTube channel where you can also watch the podcast!

Tim Spector, is Professor of Epidemiology at King’s College London. He is the bestselling author of The Diet Myth, Spoon-Fed and Food for Life and co-founder of ZOE, the science and nutrition company. With a focus on cutting-edge science and honoured with an OBE for his impactful work in fighting Covid-19, Tim stands at the forefront of his field.

🎬 Watch the podcast on YouTube here

📱 Download The Doctor’s Kitchen app for free*

🌐 View full show notes, including guest details, on our website

*The Doctor's Kitchen App gives you access to all of our recipes, with specific suggestions tailored to your health needs and new recipes added every month. We’ve had some amazing feedback so far and we have new features being added all the time - check it out with a 14 day free trial too.

Do check out this week’s “Eat, Listen, Read” newsletter, that you can subscribe to on our website - where I send you a recipe to cook as well as some mindfully curated media to help you have a healthier, happier week.

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According to Alzheimer's research UK, over 50% of everyone listening to this podcast will be affected by dementia by either contracting the disease ourselves, caring for somebody with the disease or both.

Dementia is due to impact 130 million people globally by 2050, and today it is the biggest killer in the UK. But we have no effective treatments, it’s diagnosed late in the disease process and prevention is hardly mentioned.

Today I’m joined by Dr Louisa Nicola who has been studying this disease throughout her career and is currently completing her Doctorate with the University of Washington focused on Alzheimer's. She also runs a human performance clinic, Neuro Athletics, where the goal is to prevent and delay dementia as well as advise on what activities we can do today to keep our brains sharp. 

We’ll talk through brain boosting exercises and the reasons why certain exercises are good, plus the nutrients we need to feed ourselves to support our neurological needs.

You’ll get an idea of the routines, habits and practices that are not only necessary for elite athletes to optimise performance, but also for us if we want to do our best to avoid dementia.

I’ll also get Dr Louisa’s thoughts on protein, as well as omega 3, electrolytes and creatine supplements.

🎬 Watch the podcast on YouTube here

📱 Download The Doctor’s Kitchen app for free*

🌐 View full show notes, including guest details, on our website

*The Doctor's Kitchen App gives you access to all of our recipes, with specific suggestions tailored to your health needs and new recipes added every month. We’ve had some amazing feedback so far and we have new features being added all the time - check it out with a 14 day free trial too.

Do check out this week’s “Eat, Listen, Read” newsletter, that you can subscribe to on our website - where I send you a recipe to cook as well as some mindfully curated media to help you have a healthier, happier week.

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We would love to get your feedback on the subject matter of these episodes - please do let me know on our social media pages (Instagram,Facebook & Twitter) what you think, and give us a 5* rating on your podcast player if you enjoyed today’s episode

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Mallika Basu is one of my absolute favourite people in food. Not only is she hilarious, she’s a writer, commentator and board adviser in food, drink and hospitality with two published cookbooks (Miss Masala: Real Indian Cooking for Busy Living and Masala: Indian Cooking for Modern Living). She writes a fantastic newsletter “More than Curry” covering the link between food, people and planet, as well as recipes with spice and flavour and stories on food and culture in other publications.

During the pandemic, Mallika developed proprietary thinking on food, culture and diversity covering cultural appropriation, language and labels and representation which she has delivered to almost 900 individuals at organisations including Penguin Random House, Jamie Oliver Group, Tesco and Waitrose.

Today we chat about

🎬 Watch the podcast on YouTube here

📱 Download The Doctor’s Kitchen app for free*

🌐 View full show notes, including guest details, on our website

*The Doctor's Kitchen App gives you access to all of our recipes, with specific suggestions tailored to your health needs and new recipes added every month. We’ve had some amazing feedback so far and we have new features being added all the time - check it out with a 14 day free trial too.

Do check out this week’s “Eat, Listen, Read” newsletter, that you can subscribe to on our website - where I send you a recipe to cook as well as some mindfully curated media to help you have a healthier, happier week.

🥗 Join the newsletter and 7 day meal plan

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We would love to get your feedback on the subject matter of these episodes - please do let me know on our social media pages (Instagram,Facebook & Twitter) what you think, and give us a 5* rating on your podcast player if you enjoyed today’s episode

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This podcast is primarily about nutrition and lifestyle, so why should we care about consciousness and self awareness?

This is something I put today to Professor Anil Seth, a neuroscientist who has pioneered research into the brain basis of consciousness for more than twenty-five years. He is Professor of Cognitive and Computational Neuroscience and Director of the Centre for Consciousness Science at the University of Sussex and his TED talks on how your brain hallucinates reality have been viewed more than sixteen million times.

Even though this topic is slightly outside the realm of what we usually talk about, I think this subject matter is important for anyone who wants to learn more about how to live their best life. A physically healthier and psychologically happier one.

Today we discuss how our brain can be tricked by simple visual illusions and what this tells us about perception of our every day.

The importance of interoception and how we can become more interoceptive, and aware of our bodily functions, our emotions and corresponding behaviours.

We also talk about what we can learn from spiritual practices and ancient philosophy, and where correlations exist between what we now know is underpinned by the science.

A conversation about psychedelics ensures, whether it’s accurate to state that we can experience a “higher state of consciousness” and whether AI can ever become conscious.

His best selling book “Being You” is an incredible read that I highly recommend. We also get on to talk about gratitude and Anil’s tips for being more aware and how that may translate into a happier state of mind.

🎬 Watch the podcast on YouTube here

📱 Download The Doctor’s Kitchen app for free*

🌐 View full show notes, including guest details, on our website

*The Doctor's Kitchen App gives you access to all of our recipes, with specific suggestions tailored to your health needs and new recipes added every month. We’ve had some amazing feedback so far and we have new features being added all the time - check it out with a 14 day free trial too.

Do check out this week’s “Eat, Listen, Read” newsletter, that you can subscribe to on our website - where I send you a recipe to cook as well as some mindfully curated media to help you have a healthier, happier week.

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In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Kyle Stewart, NHS GP, Clinical Entrepreneur Fellow, and co-founder of Prof & Doc, to explore the surprising health benefits of watercress.

We’re going to dive into how watercress could be a game-changer for skin health, helping with conditions like nappy rash, eczema, and more. Dr. Stewart shares insights from his pioneering work in phytochemical manipulation over the last 8 years and developing innovative skincare solutions that he’s now brought to market at www.profanddoc.com.

We also talk more broadly about how the application of research looking at ingredients from the brassica family are just waiting to be explored. You’ll also learn about some of the other vegetables and plants that Kyle would explore if he wasn’t so obsessed with Watercress!

As a former NHS GP myself, I’m so impressed at how Kyle’s been able to navigate the world of entrepreneurship whilst maintaining a practice. I see really impressive things with his work and it hopefully paves the way for more research in the phytochemical world.

🎬 Watch the podcast on YouTube here

📱 Download The Doctor’s Kitchen app for free*

🌐 View full show notes, including guest details, on our website

*The Doctor's Kitchen App gives you access to all of our recipes, with specific suggestions tailored to your health needs and new recipes added every month. We’ve had some amazing feedback so far and we have new features being added all the time - check it out with a 14 day free trial too.

Do check out this week’s “Eat, Listen, Read” newsletter, that you can subscribe to on our website - where I send you a recipe to cook as well as some mindfully curated media to help you have a healthier, happier week.

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We would love to get your feedback on the subject matter of these episodes - please do let me know on our social media pages (Instagram,Facebook & Twitter) what you think, and give us a 5* rating on your podcast player if you enjoyed today’s episode

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Chet Sharma’s culinary intrigue, coupled with his academic and scientific interests, have made for an impressive and expansive career in hospitality.

During his university studies, which ultimately led to a PhD in physics from the University of Oxford, he worked part time at a number of London’s leading Michelin-starred restaurants, including Benares and Locanda Locatelli. After discovering a passion for hospitality, he went on to work at two Michelin-starred Mugaritz, Simon Rogan’s Umbel Restaurant Group, two-starred Mark Birchall’s Moor Hall, and the late, also two-starred, The Ledbury.

In 2017, Chet moved to become Group Development Chef at JKS Restaurants – with whom he eventually opened BiBi in September 2021. A progressive restaurant serving dishes inspired by ingredients and memories from the Indian subcontinent. BiBi draws on the years Chet has spent cooking and sourcing ingredients for some of the most esteemed Michelin-starred restaurants in the world, whilst also embracing the full multicultural span of Indian cuisine. BiBi was GQ Restaurant of the Year 2022.

Today we talk about:

🎬 Watch the podcast on YouTube here

📱 Download The Doctor’s Kitchen app for free*

🌐 View full show notes, including guest details, on our website

*The Doctor's Kitchen App gives you access to all of our recipes, with specific suggestions tailored to your health needs and new recipes added every month. We’ve had some amazing feedback so far and we have new features being added all the time - check it out with a 14 day free trial too.

Do check out this week’s “Eat, Listen, Read” newsletter, that you can subscribe to on our website - where I send you a recipe to cook as well as some mindfully curated media to help you have a healthier, happier week.

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Today we're diving into the fascinating world of genomics and personalised nutrition. We're joined by Dr. Stuart J. Grice, a distinguished biologist and former academic at the University of Oxford, whose groundbreaking research has explored the biological mechanisms behind neuromuscular disease, neurodegeneration, and neuropsychiatric disorders. 

Together, we'll explore the big question: How can understanding your genetics shape your long-term health? We'll discuss the usefulness of genetic testing when it comes to nutrition and health, and how it fits alongside other testing technologies like blood tests, gut microbiome analysis, and continuous glucose monitoring. Dr. Grice will introduce the concept of having a personalised profile that helps predict your future health trajectory based on current data.

We discuss the differences between genes that are deterministic, probabilistic and informative and whether we can predict what might happen to us in the future, even if we’re healthy now? We’ll also cover the importance of balancing different aspects of our biology to live a healthy, fulfilling life.

After completing his doctorate at Oxford, Stuart co-founded FitnessGenes where he currently holds the position of Chief Scientific Officer (CSO). The company is 11 years old and has received numerous awards for its innovative work in preventative healthcare. Moreover, FitnessGenes is the first company in the world to secure a patent that identifies how better health predictions can be made by combining genetic and lifestyle data.

🎬 Watch the podcast on YouTube here

📱 Download The Doctor’s Kitchen app for free*

🌐 View full show notes, including guest details, on our website

*The Doctor's Kitchen App gives you access to all of our recipes, with specific suggestions tailored to your health needs and new recipes added every month. We’ve had some amazing feedback so far and we have new features being added all the time - check it out with a 14 day free trial too.

Do check out this week’s “Eat, Listen, Read” newsletter, that you can subscribe to on our website - where I send you a recipe to cook as well as some mindfully curated media to help you have a healthier, happier week.

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We would love to get your feedback on the subject matter of these episodes - please do let me know on our social media pages (Instagram,Facebook & Twitter) what you think, and give us a 5* rating on your podcast player if you enjoyed today’s episode

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World-leading microbiome scientist and surgeon with over two decades of experience, Dr James Kinross, is on the podcast today talking about everything to do with the gut. Dark Matter is his first book and I highly recommend you check it out. http://dark-matter.org.uk/

We talk about: 

Dr James Kinross is a senior lecturer in colorectal surgery and consultant surgeon at Imperial College London and a visiting professor at the Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland. He leads a research team defining how the microbiome causes cancer and other chronic diseases of the gut. 

🎬 Watch the podcast on YouTube here

📱 Download The Doctor’s Kitchen app for free*

🌐 View full show notes, including guest details, on our website

*The Doctor's Kitchen App gives you access to all of our recipes, with specific suggestions tailored to your health needs and new recipes added every month. We’ve had some amazing feedback so far and we have new features being added all the time - check it out with a 14 day free trial too.

Do check out this week’s “Eat, Listen, Read” newsletter, that you can subscribe to on our website - where I send you a recipe to cook as well as some mindfully curated media to help you have a healthier, happier week.

🥗 Join the newsletter and 7 day meal plan

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We would love to get your feedback on the subject matter of these episodes - please do let me know on our social media pages (Instagram,Facebook & Twitter) what you think, and give us a 5* rating on your podcast player if you enjoyed today’s episode

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On today’s episode I’m diving into the science of weight loss. This episode is all about how to lose weight in a healthy way, maintain that weight loss and live a healthier life.

We haven’t discussed weight loss in detail on the podcast before, but enough people have asked me about it so I thought we could dive into some common questions and misconceptions about weight loss. I’ll dive into:

I’ll discuss calorie restriction, popular weight loss diets (keto, low carb), fasting, the microbiome, plus the lifestyle factors that lead to weight gain. I’ll also discuss obesogens, the effects of stress and poor sleep on weight gain as well as evidence based supplements that can help you lose weight.

🎬 Watch the podcast on YouTube here

📱 Download The Doctor’s Kitchen app for free*

🌐 View full show notes, including guest details, on our website

*The Doctor's Kitchen App gives you access to all of our recipes, with specific suggestions tailored to your health needs and new recipes added every month. We’ve had some amazing feedback so far and we have new features being added all the time - check it out with a 14 day free trial too.

Do check out this week’s “Eat, Listen, Read” newsletter, that you can subscribe to on our website - where I send you a recipe to cook as well as some mindfully curated media to help you have a healthier, happier week.

🥗 Join the newsletter and 7 day meal plan

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We would love to get your feedback on the subject matter of these episodes - please do let me know on our social media pages (Instagram,Facebook & Twitter) what you think, and give us a 5* rating on your podcast player if you enjoyed today’s episode.

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On today’s episode I have a good friend of mine, Camille Vidal, creator of Mindful Cocktails and founder of La Maison Wellness, to talk to me about reducing alcohol consumption and improving our relationship with drinking.

Camille Vidal is a globally recognised bartender and drinks expert turned mindfulness, Yoga and Meditation teacher. 

And she’s a true pioneer in this field. Camille (aka @mindfullycami), is on a mission to inspire the world to bring mindfulness into the glass, showing that Tasty doesn’t have to be Boozy.

For some people, abstinence is absolutely necessary and the number of sobriety tools and programmes are increasing. But for many of us, myself included, we still want to enjoy the very occasional alcoholic drink whilst being mindful of the ill effects.

As somebody who is consciously trying to reduce my own alcohol intake I loved chatting through the statistics regarding how many other people are trying to cut down rather than abstain completely from alcohol. I’m somebody who  appreciates a chilled rose or a glass of fine red with a meal, and I’m excited to explore a new world of no and low alcohol drinks that put my health first whilst still being able to enjoy a refined and sophisticated pairing with food.

We talk about:

🎬 Watch the podcast on YouTube here

📱 Download The Doctor’s Kitchen app for free*

🌐 View full show notes, including guest details, on our website

*The Doctor's Kitchen App gives you access to all of our recipes, with specific suggestions tailored to your health needs and new recipes added every month. We’ve had some amazing feedback so far and we have new features being added all the time - check it out with a 14 day free trial too.

Do check out this week’s “Eat, Listen, Read” newsletter, that you can subscribe to on our website - where I send you a recipe to cook as well as some mindfully curated media to help you have a healthier, happier week.

🥗 Join the newsletter and 7 day meal plan

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We would love to get your feedback on the subject matter of these episodes - please do let me know on our social media pages (Instagram,Facebook & Twitter) what you think, and give us a 5* rating on your podcast player if you enjoyed today’s episode

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Today we’re going to be reviewing early signs to detect dementia as well as food and lifestyle that can potentially prevent dementia.

The estimated total societal cost of dementia in 2019 in the US was $1313 billion and with the number of people suffering dementia set to increase by 300% globally over the next 20 years, this is something we need to address as early as possible.

We have many examples of “successful cognitive agers” who have lived vibrant lives well into their 80s and 90s – and there is a clear influence with lifestyle habits.

The key questions we’re going to review are …

I’ll also talk through a day in the life of a successful brain healthy day utilising all of these habits we’ve discussed at the end of the podcast

🎬 Watch the podcast on YouTube here

📱 Download The Doctor’s Kitchen app for free*

🌐 View full show notes, including guest details, on our website

*The Doctor's Kitchen App gives you access to all of our recipes, with specific suggestions tailored to your health needs and new recipes added every month. We’ve had some amazing feedback so far and we have new features being added all the time - check it out with a 14 day free trial too.

Do check out this week’s “Eat, Listen, Read” newsletter, that you can subscribe to on our website - where I send you a recipe to cook as well as some mindfully curated media to help you have a healthier, happier week.

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Today’s episode is a dive into the evidence-based diet and lifestyle habits to ease the menopause transition.

This is based on research we did for our latest health goal on the Doctor’s Kitchen app that has now launched! Due to huge demand our internal and external research team reviewed the nutrition literature to identify beneficial foods and nutrients specifically to help with the “Menopause”.

You can now find a large selection of recipes and personalised suggestions based on your dietary preferences on the Doctor’s Kitchen App specifically for menopause. And this complements the many other health goals we have including heart health, brain health, anti-inflammation and many more!

Just click on the link in the show notes to check out the app.

For more about HRT treatment options, navigating early menopause, the physical, emotional and psychological signs/symptoms of menopause and tips for choosing herbal remedies, we’ve done a few deep dives with Menopause experts that you can find in the show notes too.

HRT - https://thedoctorskitchen.com/pod-lp/menopause-with-dr-louise-newson

Herbal remedies for menopause - https://thedoctorskitchen.com/podcasts/157-natural-menopause-remedies-with-dr-anne-henderson

🎬 Watch the podcast on YouTube here

📱 Download The Doctor’s Kitchen app for free*

🌐 View full show notes, including guest details, on our website

*The Doctor's Kitchen App gives you access to all of our recipes, with specific suggestions tailored to your health needs and new recipes added every month. We’ve had some amazing feedback so far and we have new features being added all the time - check it out with a 14 day free trial too.

Do check out this week’s “Eat, Listen, Read” newsletter, that you can subscribe to on our website - where I send you a recipe to cook as well as some mindfully curated media to help you have a healthier, happier week.

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We would love to get your feedback on the subject matter of these episodes - please do let me know on our social media pages (Instagram,Facebook & Twitter) what you think, and give us a 5* rating on your podcast player if you enjoyed today’s episode

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Today we’re diving deep into the wonderful world of coffee with my good friend Alex Higham. 

In this episode we talk about the attributes of coffee and why it seems to have benefits for brain and heart health. We also talk through the healthiest brewing methods for coffee from espresso, to aeropress, to cafetiere and Alex’s experiments looking at the caffeine content of different brewing styles.

We talk about how sourcing and roasting methods can affect the polyphenol concentration of the coffee beans and hence the health benefits and how you can choose the best tasting coffee with these in mind. I also ask Alex the questions that I get asked all the time such as how often should I change the beans, when should I drink coffee and what if I can’t tolerate caffeine?

Alex is co-founder of Exhale Healthy Coffee, the UK’s first coffee crafted for health. After 8 years grappling with auto-immunity, Alex is now on a mission to help others regain control of their health starting with the thing most people consume vast quantities of, their coffee.

As a disclaimer, I must mention that I am an advisor to Exhale coffee the company, and I sincerely love everything that Exhale is about. From rigorous sourcing and independently lab testing their beans to ensure no contaminants, it’s how food products should be made, and it’s a privilege to be part of their incredible journey.

🎬 Watch the podcast on YouTube here

📱 Download The Doctor’s Kitchen app for free*

🌐 View full show notes, including guest details, on our website

*The Doctor's Kitchen App gives you access to all of our recipes, with specific suggestions tailored to your health needs and new recipes added every month. We’ve had some amazing feedback so far and we have new features being added all the time - check it out with a 14 day free trial too.

Do check out this week’s “Eat, Listen, Read” newsletter, that you can subscribe to on our website - where I send you a recipe to cook as well as some mindfully curated media to help you have a healthier, happier week.

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This podcast is a deeply personal one for me. Not just because I resonate so much with Jassa and his experience of not having a true sense of identity, but because I’m expecting a child with my wife late this year who will be of mixed heritage. 

My wife is Italian and I’m Indian so our child will be both Indian and Italian, rather than half Indian and half Italian. I never really thought of being half something and half something else as ever really something to pay attention to, but recording this podcast with Jassa and reading his story has made a real impact on me.

In the same way John Agard educated us all with his wildly popular poem “half caste”, about the impact of words on people's sense of worth, I feel Jassa has educated me on the use of my words and thoughts, regardless of whether there is ill intent or malice behind them. Words mean so much and I’d never want anyone, let alone my unborn child, to feel anything other than a whole person.

Jassa Ahluwalia is a British actor, writer, filmmaker and trade unionist. Born in Coventry to a white English mum and a brown Punjabi dad in 1990, he attended school in Leicester and was raised in an extended family environment. He spoke English in the playground, Punjabi with his grandparents, and spent various summer holidays in India. He came to prominence as Rocky in the hit BBC Three series Some Girls, followed by starring roles in Unforgotten, Ripper Street, and Peaky Blinders. He’s also one of the funniest comedians I’ve ever come across on social media. Please watch some of his sketches online!

Jassa created the hashtag #BothNotHalf to explore mixed identity in light of his own British-Indian heritage. His TEDx talk on 'How Language Shapes Identity' has clocked up over 170k views and his BBC One documentary Am I English? won an Asian Media Award in 2022.

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