What are peptides?

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Longevity is everywhere right now, but has it become a trend instead of a truth?

In a world overflowing with health hacks, supplements, and promises of a longer life, it has never been harder to know what actually works. Beneath the noise, there is a clear science to living well for longer, but only if we learn to tune out the hype and return to what our biology has been asking of us all along.

Today I am joined by Dr. Darshan Shah, medical doctor, longevity expert, and founder of Next Health. Dr. Shah became a doctor at 21 and has since guided thousands of patients through metabolic healing, functional medicine, and evidence-based longevity. Together, we explore what truly extends your healthspan and what does not.

This conversation is a practical and compassionate look at longevity, what it means, where to begin, and why most people focus on the wrong things. Dr. Shah breaks longevity into a simple health pyramid, starting with foundational habits, then biomarkers, hormones, detoxification, brain health, and emerging therapies such as peptides.

Here’s What We Dive Into:

- What longevity truly means, and why adding years is different from adding healthy years.

- Why metabolic health is the most important predictor of long term wellbeing.

- How simple habits before and after meals support better blood sugar regulation.

- Why quarterly biomarker testing may be the most effective prevention tool we have.

- What optimal blood ranges look like, and why normal ranges are not always healthy.

- How functional medicine identifies the eight root causes behind most chronic disease.

- Why toxins, microplastics, and everyday chemicals affect long term health.

- How women’s hormones, menopause, and brain health relate to Alzheimer’s risk.

- What creatine offers for muscles, cognition, and healthy aging.

- Why peptides are rising in popularity, and how to approach them with safety and clarity.

Love,

Sarah Ann 💛

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This episode is sponsored by:

NOWATCH: The compassionate health tracker

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15% off with code LWBW15 at nowatch.com

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If You Enjoyed This Episode, You Might Also Like:

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Science Simplified, Health Humanised. Join thousands in exploring actionable insights that prioritise compassion, clarity, and real-life impact. https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/

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Highlights

What real longevity means and why it matters (00:00:00)

The rise of chronic illness and metabolic decline (00:03:12)

The eight root causes behind most modern diseases (00:06:58)

How continuous glucose monitors reshape daily habits (00:09:41)

Using data without falling into overwhelm (00:13:28)

The biomarkers that matter most for preventive health (00:16:44)

Why normal blood sugar is not always optimal (00:20:26)

Muscle mass and metabolism across the ageing process (00:20:26)

Creatine for strength, cognition, and longevity (00:28:14)

Toxins, microplastics, and their impact on long-term health (00:32:48)

Alzheimer’s risk and the role of women’s hormonal health (00:38:07)

Peptides, benefits, and precautions for safe use (00:47:22)

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