The Doctor's Kitchen Podcast

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:Why your gut might need support even if you feel totally fineWhy gut health is linked to bloating, fatigue, brain fog and moreWhat “leaky gut” actually meansCan you test for leaky gut, and are the online kits worth itMy favourite foods for a healthy gutFor 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.

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:

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:TJ Power, neuroscientistDr Romayne Gadelrab, Consultant Psychiatrist Julia Samuel, psychotherapistKiran Chopra, Sport and Exercise PhysiologistDr Megan Rossi, dietitian & researcherDrew Ramsey, PsychiatristDr. Amrita Vijay, researcherDr Miguel Toribio-Mateas, neuroscientistI'll be giving you the low down on food and mental health to kick off the episode too!

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:Why inflammation is not just good or badHow your immune system changes with ageWhat to focus on in your 20s, 40s and beyondThe role of inflammation, infection and stress in ageingSupplements like creatine, collagen, taurine, peptides and nootropic mushroomsFollow @dr_jenna_macciochi and preorder the book “Immune to Age”

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:Why seasonal allergies seem to be getting worseThe role and potential risks of antihistamines5 daily habits that could ease allergy/hay fever symptomsQuick 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.SourcesAntihistamines: Sue et al. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2024. PMID: 38935035.Vitamin D: Malik et al. European Respiratory Journal. 2015 Dietary diversity: Nakamoto et al. Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2019Fibre: Sdona et al. Clinical and translational allergy. 2022Polyphenols, chlorophyll, quercetin, vitamins C, D and E: Pellow et al. Complement Ther Med. 2020Fruits & vegetables: Kusunoki et al. Pediatr Allergy Immunol. 2017 | Oh et al. Pediatr Allergy Immunol. 2020Probiotics: Ried et al. Frontiers in Nutrition. 2022Ginger & curcumin: Yamprasert et al. BMC Complement Med Ther. 2020 | Wu et al. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2016Saline rinse: Wang et al. Allergologia et Immunopathologia. 2020Steam inhalation: Vathanophas et al. Asian Pac J Allergy Immunol. 2021

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:

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:The prebiotic potential of omega-3Why not all dietary fibres can be considered equal. The influence of culture and heritage on our dietary habits and why acknowledging these factors is essential for driving meaningful and sustainable dietary changes. 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 GuideDoctors Kitchen Bread

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:

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:

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 healthWe'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. Squat2. Deadlift3. Bench or Chest Press4. Pull Up5. Lunges / Farmers Walk6. PlanksAnd as always, give us feedback to help us make the podcast even better.

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:#281 How Phone Fasting and Nature Can Build Dopamine and Support Your Brain with TJ Power#280 The Cholesterol Numbers We Should All Know with Professor Kausik Ray#285 What a Gut Healthy Day Looks Like with Dr James Kinross PhD, FRCS#286 Why Looking at Your Poo Is Key to Understanding Your Health with Dr Emily Leeming#267 Think Clearer and Stay Sharp with These Brain Health Strategies from Neurophysiologist Dr Louisa Nicola#282 How to Move Better with Exercise Strategies for Longevity, Fat Loss, and Sharper Brains with Kiran Chopra#251 Women's Health and Problem Periods with Dr Anita Mitra#279 How to Make Habits Stick with Dr Rangan ChatterjeeWe want to hear from you!

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:What pesticides are and why they're used?Whether washing fruit and veg actually removes themAnd if organic is worth it and if so, which ingredients are the most important to go organic?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.

“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:Why I think the protein guidelines are set too lowHow eating more protein affects brain health, metabolic health and energyHow to eat more protein in a healthy way that supports your gut and reduces inflammationPlus, my favourite protein sources and how I use them in recipesBuy Healthy High Protein here

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:

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:What to look for in your poop and how to tell that your digestive system is working optimally.Whether the evidence for eating 30 Plants a week is actually that strongHow menopause can affect the gutHow long it would take to reset or ‘heal' the gut after years of excess sugar, poor eating or antibioticsWe 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.

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 of Dark Matter, to explore the science behind our gut microbiome—and how we can take actionable steps to support it every single day.

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:

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.

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.

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 phoneThe impact of nature on our brainsPush up challenges to boost endorphinsHow doing hard things changes our physical brain and can help us stay more disciplined and motivatedCold and Heat therapiesTJ 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.

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.

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!

Welcome to this quarterly review episode 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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:#267 – Brain Health with Louisa Nicola #263 – Gut health with Dr James Kinross Bonus – Mindful drinking with Cami Vidal#253 - Healing herbs and spices with Simon Mills

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.

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.

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.

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 aboutGoing from Indian cooking to commenting on culture and diversity, getting the facts right on cultural appropriationWhy the planet piece matters for food and drink loversThe everyday challenges of feeding a family. I have two teens and am a single parent with a solo household half the week.How she diverts them away from UPFs

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.

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.

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:Chet's transition from a science background into foodSmall scale farmers in the UK and India to champion forgotten ingredientsHis ongoing research with the British Library into pre-colonial Indian foodWe also talk about the stress of the job and how, to this day, Chet lives with Ramsay Hunt Syndrome, a reactivation of Varicella Zoster Virus that affects his facial nerve brought on by stress during the pandemic.

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.

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: Signs that your poop is unhealthySome of James favourite foods and nutrition strategies to improve the gutWhy we need to think like conservationists, and recognise that our guts are being radically altered and destroyed by our environmentWe also talk about functional gut disorders and why trauma, stress and childhood health are some of the first things James will ask about before ever reaching for a prescription pad, if at allWe talk about the estrobolome - the interaction of hormones and our microbesWhether our gut can dictate food choicesJames opinions on probiotics, gut health tests and their validityAs well as the relationship between our gut and brain health including ASD and dementiaDr 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.

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:The science of weight lossWhether there are diets that are best for weight loss?Are there foods that aid weight loss?Are there foods that burn fat?Can you target weight loss in specific areas of the body?Can you target “belly fat” with specific foods or exercises?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.

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:The difference between Sobriety and Mindful drinkingThe Diuretic effects of alcoholStrategies to reduce alcohol such as, Remove replace reduce and Bookending

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 …What are some of the early warning signs of dementia and Alzheimer's?What are some of the foods I should avoid to help prevent dementia & brain decline?What are some of your favourite brain-boosting foods I should add to my diet every week?What are some of the common lifestyle habits that can improve my brain?Are there supplements you recommend taking to help boost brain health & prevent decline?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

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

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.

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.

If you've suffered heartburn, reflux, bloating, indigestion, stomach pain or nausea, this is the episode for you. Today we're giving you an integrative approach to help with gastritis – combining pharmaceuticals with lifestyle and alternative tools.I'll be talking thoughCauses, symptoms and medications for gastritis and when to see a doctorWhat specific lifestyle factors can influence gastritisFoods to eat and avoidProtective eating habitsHerbal/alternative therapiesAnd my gastritis routine i.e. what I would do every day if I had symptoms and wanted to control themA special thanks to our research team at Doctor's Kitchen, our science writer Sakina Okoko and GP and CEO of Culinary Medicine, Dr Sumi Baruah helped out hugely with this episode. My sincere thanks to them both for helping review multiple sources of information including patient information websites, NHS clinical summaries and academic papers reviewing lifestyle and herbal remedies.

Vinegar shots, gummies and acetic acid based drinks are everywhere. But what's the evidence behind them and can they live up to the claims of improving blood sugar regulation, prevent type 2 diabetes and even lowering cholesterol.Well the team and I decided to deep dive into this subject and we found some surprising results. Is it worth a shot, listen on to find out our take on vinegar for health benefits and how to source and prepare your vinegar if you're interested in giving it a go yourself!

Today's snacksize Doctor's Kitchen podcast is about how Dr Louise Newson figured out she was menopausal.Why women struggle with weight during and after the menopause, is the key question I'm put to Dr Louise Newson on #223 What Women need to know about the Menopause.But during this episode, Louise told me the story of how she figured out that she was menopausal, and despite being a specialist, an experienced GP she still missed the key obvious signs.

Dr. Uma Naidoo has spent her life exploring the unique connection between food and brain health. Her first book, 2020's groundbreaking This Is Your Brain on Food, offered readers around the world a better understanding of the many ways our diets impact our mental, emotional, and cognitive wellbeing, and provided a useful blueprint for working through conditions like depression, OCD, PTSD, dementia, and more.Her next book “Calm your mind with food” is a deeper exploration of this. Today we talk about:• How inflammation affects everything from anxiety and depression to Alzheimer's disease• How the trillions of bacteria living in your gut are key to controlling anxiety• The six pillars for calming the mind• What to eat to balance the appetite hormone leptin, a key link between the central nervous system and metabolic processes• How to incorporate anxiety-busting foods into your diet, from ashwagandha to vitamin C