Degrees of Health

Most of us were never taught what hormones actually do. We just noticed things getting weird - heavier periods, brain fog, random mood swings that made us question our entire personality.And when we asked for help, we got vague answers. A prescription. Maybe a “come back in 6 months.”That’s why we sat down with Pauline Cox, a functional nutritionist who’s actually good at explaining this stuff. She's worked with hundreds of women dealing with endometriosis, PCOS, low thyroid, fatigue, and all the “you’re fine” symptoms that so many of us learn to live with.This episode is about finally understanding what’s going on and how much control we do actually have here. Through food, light, movement, supplements… but also, through knowing what to look for, and what to question.🧠 The gut-hormone connection (it’s not all in your head)🥗 Food choices that support your cycle🩸 Endometriosis and why it’s often misunderstood💡 Oestrogen, thyroid, and the subtle signs we miss📉 What chronic inflammation does to your mood⚠️ When tracking your health makes you feel worse🧪 The supplements Pauline comes back to again and againThis is one for every woman - and for anyone who loves one.Let us know what hits home. We’re always listening!Find Pauline:InstagramSow and Arrow - Health Store and Education PlatformMentioned in this episode:Books - Hungry Woman: Eating for good health, happiness and hormones + Primal Living in a Modern WorldWant to watch this on video? Subscribe on YouTubeInstagram  @degreesofhealthDisclaimer Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

PART 2! If you missed it, we highly recommend checking out Part 1 before listening to this episode. We all age. But what if we could slow it down, reshape it, or even pause it altogether?After connecting over one of our most viewed episodes with Dr. Glen Jefferys, we got to hear from scientist and relentlessly curious longevity researcher Dr. Michael Lustgarten. He’s been tracking over 50 biomarkers for nearly a decade and has reduced his biological age by more than 20 years.In this episode, we explore what that process looks like for Michael with data. Lots of data.We cover:🧪 How to interpret and act on blood markers🔁 Supplement cycles, blood work feedback & knowing when to stop🧬 Hormones, hypothyroidism, and adjusting thyroid meds over time🧠 SHBG, testosterone & why 'high' isn’t always better☀️ The underestimated power of light, sleep, and rhythm🧊 Would he freeze himself? Yes - and here’s why🔮 What consciousness might teach us about agingThis episode is a goldmine for listeners who are already tracking labs, looking for more advanced interpretation strategies, trying to refine their own protocols and avoid over-supplementation or 'stack overload'.Find Michael:YouTubeWebsiteBookAcademic PublicationsMentioned in this episode:The 120-Year Diet by Dr Roy WalfordThe Alchemist by Paulo CoelhoDr. Morgan Levine’s PhenoAge Biological Age TestKurt JaiMungal’s Theories of EverythingWant to watch this on video? Subscribe on YouTubeInstagram  @degreesofhealthDisclaimer Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We all age. But what if we could slow it down, reshape it, or even pause it altogether?After connecting over one of our most viewed episodes with Dr. Glen Jefferys, we got to hear from scientist and relentlessly curious longevity researcher Dr. Michael Lustgarten. He’s been tracking over 50 biomarkers for nearly a decade and has reduced his biological age by more than 20 years.In this episode, we explore what that process looks like for Michael with data. Lots of data.We cover:🧪 How to interpret and act on blood markers🔁 Supplement cycles, blood work feedback & knowing when to stop🧬 Hormones, hypothyroidism, and adjusting thyroid meds over time🧠 SHBG, testosterone & why 'high' isn’t always better☀️ The underestimated power of light, sleep, and rhythm🧊 Would he freeze himself? Yes - and here’s why🔮 What consciousness might teach us about agingThis episode is a goldmine for listeners who are already tracking labs, looking for more advanced interpretation strategies, trying to refine their own protocols and avoid over-supplementation or 'stack overload'.Find Michael:YouTubeWebsiteBookAcademic PublicationsMentioned in this episode:The 120-Year Diet by Dr Roy WalfordThe Alchemist by Paulo CoelhoDr. Morgan Levine’s PhenoAge Biological Age TestKurt JaiMungal’s Theories of EverythingWant to watch this on video? Subscribe on YouTubeInstagram  @degreesofhealthDisclaimer Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We talk a lot about nutrition, movement, and sleep when it comes to health. But there's a missing piece in most conversations: light.In this episode, we sit down with Bjørn Ekeberg - philosopher of science turned founder of Recharge Health - to explore how red and near-infrared light can support recovery, improve energy, and help us reconnect with our biology.We unpack what red light therapy is, how mitochondria drive everything from mood to metabolism, and why so many of us are unknowingly light-deficient. Athletes, health nerds, or if you're just tired of being tired - listen up. The conversation about energy, tech, and how we support the body’s natural intelligence.We cover:🔴 What red & near-infrared light do⚡️ Mitochondria, energy and light deficiency🧠 Cognitive function & mental clarity🏃‍♂️ Muscle recovery, inflammation, and pain🧬 Why movement isn't enough without light🚦 Safe, at-home red light therapyIf we promote something, we want to ensure it is genuinely something we a) trust in and b) use. This is no exception. The FlexBeam from Recharge Health is what Ben and I (producer Eloise) genuinely use for our own fix of red and infrared light. It is health-tech designed for real life. If you're exploring red light therapy, the team has offered our community 10% off via this link: ⬇️ https://rechargehealthas.sjv.io/DyJ3mn(this helps support the podcast and the conversations we’re building.) Let us know if you end up going for one - we're not sure there's a part of our body that hasn't reaped benefits from it.Find Bjørn/Red Light Devices:WebsiteRecharge Health or on instagramYouTubeMentioned in this episode:Study - Infrared Low-Level Laser Therapy (Photobiomodulation Therapy) before Intense Progressive Running Test of High-Level Soccer PlayersNIR effects on mitochondria and VO2 MaxSubstance: The Material World and the Making of the Modern Mind by Nick HawkesBjørn’s academic work in cosmology and the philosophy of science. His book - Metaphysical Experiments: Physics and the Invention of the UniverseWant to watch this on video? Subscribe on YouTubeInstagram  @degreesofhealthDisclaimer Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We know health isn't just about the food you eat or the supplements you take. But do we really understand the other elements that are so crucial - the light we see, the water we drink, and even the way we think?Sara Pugh, PhD, Quantum Biologist and Ketogenic Coach shares how she has brought together physics and wellness. She explains why light and water are key players in how our bodies works and how simple daily choices can make a huge difference to our overall health and wellbeing.We cover:💧 How water in your body acts like a battery🧬 Mitochondria, movement and real energy🌞 Daily light routines to set your body clock🧠 Hypnosis, consciousness, and the power of belief📵 The hidden impact of EMFs and blue light🌍 Small changes that can make a big differenceThis episode is for anyone curious about how to align modern life with the natural rhythms we evolved for - and why it matters so much now.Find Sara:WebsiteYouTubeInstagramSubstackMentioned in this episode:Gerald Pollock’s 4th Phase of WaterThe Invisible Rainbow by Arthur FirstenbergDan Winter’s Golden Ratio & CoherenceRupert Sheldrake’s Morphic FieldsReality Is Plastic by Anthony JacquinWant to watch this on video? Subscribe on YouTubeInstagram  @degreesofhealthDisclaimer Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This one’s for anyone who’s ever wondered: Are we really safe in a wireless world?What if the invisible forces all around us - your phone, your Wi-Fi, even your toothbrush - were quietly shaping your health and the planet’s health too?In this conversation, EMF researcher Olle Johansson shares his decades of experience researching the health impacts of electromagnetic fields - the kind you can’t see but you might well be feeling. From rising chronic diseases to the decline of natural pollinators, Olle connects the dots between our modern tech-filled lives and the health of every living thing. He also shares why insurance companies won’t touch EMF risks, why screen dermatitis is on the rise, and - crucially - what we can do right now to protect ourselves.We cover:📡 The hidden health impacts of EMFs🧬 Why Wi-Fi, Bluetooth & cell phones matter🧒 Why kids might be at higher risk🐝 What happens to bees & bugs (and why it matters)🌿 How to live with tech - without losing your mind (or your health)🤝 Why human connection matters more than everFind Olle:Email - olle.johansson500@gmail.comWebsiteMentioned in this episode:Material submitted to UK parliament on EMF and 5GPolarization and Biological Activity: Study analyzing the role of polarization in EMFs and their biological effectsImmune System Disturbance: Research on how EMFs can disturb immune function, leading to potential health risksElectrohypersensitivity Recognition: Discussion on Sweden's recognition of electrohypersensitivity as a functional impairmentMyelin Damage from RF-EMFs: Review of evidence linking radiofrequency EMF exposure to myelin damage and electrohypersensitivityWHO Classification: The World Health Organization's classification of certain EMFs as possible carcinogensWant to watch this on video? Subscribe on YouTubeInstagram  @degreesofhealthDisclaimer Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens when your body completely crashes and you have no energy to get off the couch?For Julie Gibson Clark, that moment became the turning point. After being diagnosed with heavy metal poisoning, she began a journey that would transform not only her health, but how she thinks about aging, wellness, and self-discipline taking her to the leaderboard of the Rejuvenation Olympics worldwide (a public leaderboard ranking biological aging via epigenetic clocks), and currently ageing at only 65 days per 100 days. Julie shares her accessible approach to longevity - blending science, intuition, and a healthy dose of self-compassion. From structured routines and strength training to intuitive fasting, oxalates, supplements, and spiritual rituals, Julie unpacks the systems she uses to feel younger, stronger, and more grounded.This is a conversation about real-life longevity - without $10k-a-month protocols or lab coats. Just honesty, experimentation, and a deep respect for beauty and balance.We cover:🧬 Heavy metal poisoning🥗 The menu - 100g protein and 1lb of veggies💪 Why strength training is a longevity foundation🔄 Using fasting-mimicking diets to reset & recover🧠 The “inner general” vs. self-compassion - when to push, when to rest🧪 How to experiment with your own protocol (without perfectionism)This is longevity, lived.Find Julie:WebsiteInstagramYouTubeMentioned in this episode:Book - The Longevity Diet by Valter LongoBook - Lifespan by David SinclairBook - The Complete Guide to Fasting by Jason FungNOVOS Core supplement - longevity blendRejuvenation OlympicsWant to watch this on video? Subscribe on YouTubeInstagram  @degreesofhealthDisclaimer Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you've ever felt like your anxiety was swallowing you whole - like something was broken inside but like you have to suck it up and get on with it anyway - you've got to know you don't have to stay there, and this episode might help to see how. In discussion here with leading expert in trauma-informed clinical psychology and holistic medicine for anxiety and panic, Dr Nicole Cain unpacks with us that anxiety isn’t the problem - yep, that's right. It's not the problem - it’s the signal. Through her personal and clinical journey, she reframes anxiety as the body’s way of showing us where healing needs to happen - that anxiety isn’t something to be silenced, but something to be understood.We explore anxiety through the lens of neuroplasticity, mitochondrial health, and trauma-informed healing and Dr. Cain shares her 4-step process for rewiring your nervous system, explains how anxiety manifests differently in each of us and reveals why addressing the root cause is the only real path we have to emotional well-being.We cover:🧠 Why anxiety is the body’s call for healing - not a disorder🌪️ How trauma shapes adult patterns🧘‍♀️ A 4-step method to stop panic in its tracks🧬 The link between mitochondria, energy & mental health🧪 Natural tools that work: Chamomile, Kava, L-theanine & more🧠 Neuroplasticity and the power to rewire your brainThis isn’t about quick fixes or suppression. It’s about healing at the root, meeting your anxiety with curiosity, and walking with it to support us in becoming panic-proof, present, and free.Find Dr Nicole Cain:WebsiteInstagramBookYouTubeMentioned in this episode:Study - Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) StudyStudy - Persistent epigenetic differences associated with prenatal exposure to famine in humansPaper - Ideology and the Canadian health care systemQuiz - Take the 9 Types of Anxiety Quiz - find out how your anxiety manifests (e.g. gut-based, chest-based, thought-based, etc). This helps tailor the best response to your physiological presentation.Want to watch this on video? Subscribe on YouTubeInstagram  @degreesofhealthDisclaimer Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Here, heart surgeon Dr Philip Ovadia dismantles decades of medical dogma around cholesterol and heart disease. Once morbidly obese and pre-diabetic, Dr Ovadia shares his transformation and exposes why the traditional cholesterol-focused approach to heart health is failing millions.He speaks about the real root causes - insulin resistance, metabolic dysfunction, and inflammation - and explains why diet, not drugs, is the key to long-term health. This conversation is a roadmap to reclaiming your health and staying off the operating table.We cover:🫀 Why cholesterol isn’t the root cause of heart disease🧬 The role of insulin resistance & inflammation in heart health🥩 Keto vs. Carnivore - what’s the difference, and who are they for?💊 The truth about statins and PCSK9 inhibitors🧠 How metabolic health connects to brain, hormone & immune function🔥 Reversing heart disease & taking control of your own healthFind Dr Philip Ovadia:Instagram / YouTube Website - services for U.S. and international patients focused on reversing metabolic diseaseMentioned in this episode:Book - Stay Off My Operating Table by Dr Philip OvadiaBook - Why We Get Sick by Dr. Benjamin BikmanBook - Good Calories, Bad Calories + The Case Against Sugar by Gary TaubesStudy - Carbohydrate Restriction-Induced Elevations in LDL-Cholesterol and Atherosclerosis: The KETO TrialDocumentary - Cholesterol Code (releasing soon)Want to watch this on video? Subscribe on YouTubeInstagram  @degreesofhealthDisclaimer Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join us for an exploration of high-stakes innovation and athlete health, and learn how we might just be scratching the surface of what’s possible in the world of elite performance.Here we’re sitting down with Dr. Dan Turner, PhD, Director of Athletic Safety at the Enhanced Games, where athletes push the boundaries of human potential with performance-enhancing substances — under medical supervision. Dan, also a Lead Scientist for High Performance at Red Bull, is a leading expert in high-performance health and athlete safety, shares his pioneering work with the Enhanced Games and reveals how the use of substances like anabolic steroids, metabolic modulators, and even gene editing could reshape the future of athletics. With athlete health and fairness at the core, this conversation digs into the ethics of performance enhancement, the importance of sleep and recovery, and the science behind metabolic boosters.We cover:🧬 The Enhanced Games: A new arena for athletic competition with performance-enhancing substances💉 Medical Supervision: The importance of safe use, avoiding misuse, and ensuring long-term health through comprehensive monitoring.🛏️ Sleep: The ultimate performance-enhancing tool⚡ Rad Framework: Readiness, Emotional Efficiency, and Durability - a strategic approach to mastering high performance🧪 Innovative Substances: How metabolic modulators, botanicals, and even CRISPR technology could be the next frontier in sports.🧠 Mindset & Performance: Coaching high performers - overcoming mental blind spots, stress management, and building resilience.From the Enhanced Games’ mission to level the playing field to the future of human performance through genetic innovations, this conversation offers a glimpse into where sports and health optimisation are headed. It’s not just about competing harder - it’s about competing smarter.Find Dan:WebsiteEnhanced GamesWant to watch this on video? Subscribe on YouTubeInstagram  @degreesofhealthDisclaimer Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.