#109 Making Illness Optional with Naveen Jain and Momo Vuyisich

Why should we stop ageing? Today we talk about everything to with ageing, why it occurs, why there’s renewed interest in it and what we can do about it. Sue beautifully lays out the history of longevity research, the origins of this fascinating scientific discipline and what the latest research means for you.We’re taking a short break on the podcast this week so we’re diving into the rich archives of The Doctor’s Kitchen Podcast to resurface one of my favourite conversations from 2 years ago.Sue Armstrong is a writer and broadcaster specialising in science, health and development issues and author of one of my favourite books on longevity, “Borrowed Time – The science of how and why we age”.Today we discuss how Sue's career got started as well as her experience reporting on Nelson Mandela’s release from prison as well as her time spent researching HIV.We talk about:The origins of ageing researchThe different theories of why we ageCellular senescence The ageing immune systemCalorie restriction and its pros and consAnd lots more🎬 Watch the podcast on YouTube here📱 Download The Doctor’s Kitchen app for freeYou can download The Doctor’s Kitchen app for free to get 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. On Android? Join the waitlist here!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📷 Follow on Instagram🐦 Tweet me Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

3 Maj 20231h 34min

Today’s episode is a live recording from my first supperclub of my book tour to promote the latest cookbook “Dr Rupy COOKS” and it was recorded in front of a live audience in London where we got to enjoy some beautiful food from the book prepared by Hanna Geller and her team who hosted the event at her home and interviewed me!We talk about the mission for Doctor’s Kitchen, where I started, why I wrote this new book and also what I’m up to with the app, the non-profit work and future aspirations to change the way we look at food as medicine.After two decades working as an interior designer, creating comfortable and invitingspaces, Hanna turned her attention to food. Combining these two great passions, shestarted the Building Feasts blog to share not only recipes and stories about the dishesshe developed, but her philosophy on designing ways to bring people together around aTable. And it’s this passion for food that brings out a little debate element of this interview which I personally really enjoyed.Hanna also teaches regular cooking classes, hosts Supper Clubs, pop ups and other events including collaborations with Pump Street Chocolate & Bakery, Honey & Co to name a few. You can find out more about it at www.buildingfeasts.com.🎬 Watch the podcast on YouTube here📱 Download The Doctor’s Kitchen app for freeYou can download The Doctor’s Kitchen app for free to get 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📷 Follow on Instagram🐦 Tweet me Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

26 Apr 202350min

Warning: Today’s episode contains strong languageI’m chatting with Johann Hari today, the international bestselling author of ‘Chasing the Scream’, ‘Lost Connections’ and the latest book ‘Stolen Focus’. Today’s conversation is fascinating. I often find myself opening tabs and not remembering why I opened it, or walking out of my house and having to remind myself why I’m leaving. I naturally assumed it was just me. Overworking and undersleeping is bound to have this effect, but there appears to be something more insidious going on as Johann explains in todays episode. And if you’re like me, you’re definitely not alone.There are 5 core ideas that we explore today:One: Your attention didn’t collapse - it was stolen.Two: If your Screentime shows that you spend more than three hours a day on your phone, then you are losing far more than just time. Your brain can only produce one or two thoughts in your conscious mind at once. We’re very, very single-minded.Three: The covid crisis has flipped many of us into a state called hypervigilance, which is ruining our focus.Four: The way we eat in the Western world is severely damaging our attention and focus.Five: We can only get out of this crisis if we respond as individuals, by making changes in our own lives and our children’s lives, to protect ourselves from forces invading our attention. But we also need to campaign for more humane technology, forcing them to adopt a different business model that isn’t reliant on interrupting, distracting and monetising our attention.We talk about:Our ‘attentional pathogenic culture’Switch cost effectsTapping into flow statesReading as a gym for empathyUniversal basic incomeAnd of course, technology🎬 Watch the podcast on YouTube here📱 Download The Doctor’s Kitchen app for freeYou can download The Doctor’s Kitchen app for free to get 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📷 Follow on Instagram🐦 Tweet me Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

19 Apr 20231h 22min

Dr Chi-Chi Ekhator is a GP in London and probably one of the most motivating people I’ve ever met. You’re in for an absolute treat today, especially if you’re a passionate medic with a penchant for nutritional medicine like me, because this doctor is making some huge waves.Chi-Chi is also a GP Appraiser for NHS England and Vice Chair of Ascension Trust, an organisation known for initiatives that seek to help the vulnerable in society. And leads the AT Beacon Project, a health initiative of Ascension Trust working on the ground in the heart of neighbourhoods to address health inequalities. We met up at one of their health and wellbeing hubs in the inner city estate of Brixton, but they also operate out of social supermarkets, barber shops, churches and wherever you find vulnerable people that they can help to live healthier, flourishing lives.As we were in the middle of an outreach clinic you’ll hear some activity during todays recording and if you want to see it in action, check it out on YouTube!🎬 Watch the podcast on YouTube here📱 Download The Doctor’s Kitchen app for freeYou can download The Doctor’s Kitchen app for free to get 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📷 Follow on Instagram🐦 Tweet meWe 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

12 Apr 202339min

There is biochemical beauty hidden within the colors, shapes, and diversity of the fruits and vegetables that line our grocery aisles and I hope after listening to today's podcast you’ll be inspired to explore even more of them!Dr. William Li is back on the podcast, you will have heard myself and William on previous episodes where we explored the world of food as medicine. By eating foods that you already enjoy, like tomatoes, blueberries, sourdough bread, and dark chocolate your body activates its five health defense systems to fight cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular, neurodegenerative autoimmune diseases, and other debilitating conditions. In William’s latest book, Eat to Beat Your Diet, Dr. Li introduces the surprising new science of weight loss, revealing healthy body fat can help you lose weight.Today we talk about:Reframing fat, and why fat is essential for lifeFat’s role in insulation, hormone production, fuel and thermogenesisThe mechanism of how the bioactives in foods improve metabolismThe foods that help with these actions from fruits, vegetables, spices and morePlus William’s research led approach to foodRemember you can watch the podcast on YouTube if you want to see Dr Li’s show and tell, plus subscribe to the channel whilst you\re there!🎬 Watch the podcast on YouTube here📱 Download The Doctor’s Kitchen app for freeYou can download The Doctor’s Kitchen app for free to get 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📷 Follow on Instagram🐦 Tweet meWe 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

5 Apr 20231h 35min

There are a few problems with therapy. It’s often hard to access, it can be costly, it’s hard to find the time to engage with a therapist and there is still, of course, a huge stigma around it.But we know that it is a scientifically proven method of improving mental wellness. It improves brain chemistry and can reprogram neuropathways to help a person function in more helpful ways.And that’s why I love the premise of Owen O’Kane’s latest book “How to be your own Therapist”. Teaching you the key fundamentals of therapy and how to apply these to your own life, alongside targeted tasks that only take 10 minutes a day.All these techniques are steeped in a range tools including CBT, CFT, mindfulness, IP therapy, EMDR which why I absolutely trust and value Owen’s work so much.Owen O’Kane, psychotherapist and former NHS Clinical Lead has been on the podcast before. We talked about where he grew up in Northern Ireland during 'The Troubles,' the perfect training ground for understanding the anxious mind due to the conflict and fear that existed in the region. He’s also a former palliative care nurse. Owen heard first-hand the biggest regrets people have on their death beds and as a result, learnt about the stresses and worries we shouldn't hold onto.Today we also talk about:Psychological flexibilityNot allowing your happiness to be so cheapMicro injections of intention and introspectionTherapy is less about Indulgence and more about courageousness🎬 Watch the podcast on YouTube here📱 Download The Doctor’s Kitchen app for freeYou can download The Doctor’s Kitchen app for free to get 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📷 Follow on Instagram🐦 Tweet meWe 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

29 Mars 20231h 26min

It was an absolute pleasure to host Thomasina Miers on the podcast today. Entrepreneur, cook, TV personality, activist, writer and so much more. There isn’t much that this incredible person can’t do.Like many of us, she learnt to cook at her mothers side and after attempting to forge a career in advertising, journalism, digital consultancy, she followed her heart and went to cookery school.Fast forward a few years, after travelling the world, she went on to win Masterchef and create Wahaca inspired by the food markets of Mexico during her trips.Tommi cares deeply about where our food comes from, how it is grown, supports the soil, biodiversity and the planet and believes everyone should have access to good ingredients.I learnt so much more about Tommi and we chat about:The importance of soilHow the Chefs in Schools charity is changing what our children eatHow Groove Armada sold his record rights and started an organic farmWhy the ancient Mayan civilisation disappearedRemember you can check out Tommi’s incredible book “Meat Free Mexican” which has some glorious dishes and her regular column in the Guardian.All the links to our discussion topics can be found on www.thedoctorskitchen.com/podcasts🎬 Watch the podcast on YouTube here📱 Download The Doctor’s Kitchen app for freeYou can download The Doctor’s Kitchen app for free to get 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📷 Follow on Instagram🐦 Tweet meWe 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

22 Mars 20231h 20min

Thyroid conditions. It’s a subject I’m consistently asked about online and one that really requires some understanding of how interconnected our systems are and how you can’t simply ‘eat for your thyroid’ without appreciating the multiple insults to our thyroid glands from lifestyle factors, drugs, toxins, sleep, stress and our wider environment.This is a hefty subject but my guest on the podcast today Dr Amy Gajjar is an expert with over 2 decades of experience treating patients and a rich understanding of integrative medicine.Dr Amy is an Integrative Physician (GP) combining Functional Medicine, Coaching, Yoga and an Ayurvedic Lifestyle. She trained at the Imperial College School of Medicine in London and worked as a GP for several years. In Sydney, she has undergone extensive further training and is a Fellow of the Australasian College of Nutritional and Environmental Medicine, Australasian Society of Lifestyle Medicine and a Board-certified Lifestyle Medicine Physician. Her main interests are thyroid disease, gut health and autoimmunity. She has also completed courses in coaching, NLP, ayurvedic lifestyle, meditation and is a certified hatha and kundalini yoga teacher.Dr Amy believes in taking a holistic approach to patient care, embracing all aspects of health – physical, mental, emotional and spiritual.“Slow butterfly; how healing your thyroid transforms everything” is her first book and hopes to empower people living with Hashimoto’s/Hypothyroidism and inspire them to become the best version of themselves.By the end of this podcast you should be able to understand what the thyroid gland does, how disruption of the gland can manifest in a variety of vague symptoms, what tests to think about, how to take control of your lifestyle to better manage low thyroid conditions with a practitioner.We talk about:The spectrum of thyroid conditionsWhy poor thyroid health affects your gut, mood, weight, cholesterol, muscles and moreWe focus on Hypothyroid conditions and the differential diagnoses to considerWhy conventional tests and treatment lack a focus on the root cause of issuesThe biology of thyroid hormone release from the pituitary glandWhy disruption to normal thyroid hormone release leads to ‘hibernation’ symptomsStress, Sleep, Movement, Toxins, Nutrition and Herbs🎬 Watch the podcast on YouTube here📱 Download The Doctor’s Kitchen app for freeYou can download The Doctor’s Kitchen app for free to get 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

15 Mars 20231h 24min