Cold Exposure and Sympathetic Activation

In this episode of Live Well Be Well, I’m joined by Dr. William Li, physician scientist, bestselling author, and president of the Angiogenesis Foundation. William is one of the world’s leading voices on food as medicine, and together we explore how nutrition, immunity, and brain health are deeply connected, often in ways we underestimate.

In this conversation, Dr. William Li shares how the body’s defence systems are constantly communicating with the brain, influencing inflammation, cognition, mood, and ageing. Drawing on decades of research, he explains how everyday foods can strengthen immunity, protect blood vessels, and support brain function, not through restriction or perfection, but through consistent, nourishing choices.

We discuss why immune health matters far beyond avoiding illness, how inflammation silently impacts mood and cognition, and why nourishing the body is one of the most accessible tools we have for long term resilience. This episode is an invitation to move away from fear based nutrition and toward a calmer, evidence led understanding of how the body heals, adapts, and thrives when supported consistently over time.

Here’s What We Dive Into:

- How the immune system influences brain health, mood, and cognitive ageing.

- Why chronic inflammation quietly undermines wellbeing long before symptoms appear.

- What angiogenesis is and why healthy blood vessels matter for brain function.

- How specific foods support the body’s natural defence and repair systems.

- Why food as medicine is about consistency, not restriction or perfection.

- What the science really says about nutrition and disease prevention.

- How everyday dietary choices shape long term resilience and longevity.

- Why empowering people with knowledge creates healthier relationships with food.

Love,

Sarah Ann 💛

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This episode is sponsored by:

NOWATCH: The compassionate health tracker

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👉 Practical beats perfect.Here’s a free 5-recipe PDF I use to support energy and stress during busy weeks.https://sarahannmacklin.com/5_free_recipes👉 If this resonates, you can join the thousands who readThe Compassionate Cure each week.https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/

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Intro (00:00)

Why Social Connection Is Essential for Longevity and Brain Health (02:11)

Reframing Ageing and Letting Go of the Decline Narrative (04:26)

How Metabolism Shapes Ageing, Energy, and Disease Risk (11:03)

Why Biohacking Misses the Bigger Picture of Longevity and Health (15:26)

The Brain Microbiome and How Gut Bacteria Affect the Mind (19:12)

Probiotics and Brain Health What the Science Shows (23:29)

How to Choose the Right Probiotic Based on Evidence (30:40)

Akkermansia and Its Role in Metabolism and Diabetes (35:46)

Gut Health, Immunity, and Cancer Treatment Support (40:02)

How to Increase Akkermansia Naturally Through Diet (41:37)

Do Restrictive Diets Support or Harm Gut Microbiome Health? (47:56)

Hydration, Polyphenols, and Healthier Beverage Choices (50:54)

The Simple Hydration Habit That Prevents Mindless Eating (57:12)

Balancing Longevity Goals With Joy and Simplicity (1:01:42)

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