Age Better with Liz Earle

Have you or someone close to you been affected by depression? Psychiatrist and academic Professor Joanna Moncrieff joins Liz on this episode of the podcast to ‘debunk’ the chemical imbalance theory of depression.In this episode, Joanna covers her review of studies on Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs), one of the main medications prescribed to those with depression. Her review concluded that there’s ‘no clear evidence’ that low serotonin causes depression in the first place.Liz and Joanna discuss how anti-depressants may alter 'normal' mental states and their little-discussed side-effects, plus the role of nature versus nurture in depression. Joanna also reveals why we may need to demedicalise depression, and instead see it as an emotional reaction that needs to be understood rather than medicated.Links mentioned in the episode:Visit Professor Joanna Moncrieff's websiteRead Professor Joanna Moncrieff's 2022 review on SSRIsListen to our episode with Dr Ginni Mansberg on skin and hormonesSubscribe to Liz Earle Wellbeing Magazine Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Would you say you’re a perfectionist? Thomas Curran, Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychological and Behavioural Sciences at the London School of Economics, joins Liz to share how we can stop being so obsessed with perfectionism.Thomas reveals why being perfect isn’t necessarily a good thing, how nurture and nature come into play here, and how to measure levels of perfectionism. The episode covers the reasons why perfectionism seems to be on the rise due to modern culture, deficit thinking, and how being perfect can rob our joy.Thomas also shares the importance of living in the present, and the role of parenting in cultivating perfectionist tendencies in young people.Links mentioned in the episode:Purchase The Perfection Trap by Thomas CurranSubscribe to Liz Earle Wellbeing Magazine Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Interested in intermittent fasting? Clinical educator and researcher Megan Ramos joins Liz on this episode of the podcast to share the potential benefits of this practice for women.Megan shares how fasting has helped her own health, how time restricted eating may aid chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes and polycystic ovary syndrome, and why body size isn’t necessarily a great indicator of overall health.The episode also covers the differences between visceral fat and subcutaneous fat, and takes a deep dive into autophagy and fasting. Plus, Megan shares advice on how to get started with fasting and how the practice may benefit our hormones through different life cycles.Links mentioned in the episode:Purchase The Essential Guide to Intermittent Fasting for Women: Balance Your Hormones to Lose Weight, Lower Stress, and Optimize HealthListen to our podcast on obesity and type 2 diabetes, with Dr Jason FungSubscribe to Liz Earle Wellbeing Magazine  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Since 1980, the number of people around the world with type 2 diabetes has quadrupled. Kidney specialist Dr Jason Fung joins Liz for this episode of the podcast to cover the rise in obesity and type 2 diabetes - and what can be done about it.In this episode, Jason explains how dietary interventions such as intermittent fasting or low-carb eating may be able to reverse the dietary disease, plus why all calories aren't equal.Liz and Jason discuss how we can avoid spiking our blood sugars, how hormones such as cortisol and insulin can cause weight gain, and why fats shouldn't be considered the enemy when it comes to eating well.Links mentioned in the episode:Purchase The Obesity CodePurchase The Diabetes CodeFollow Dr Jason Fung on Instagram Follow Dr Jason Fung on Twitter Subscribe to Liz Earle Wellbeing Magazine Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Want to know more about the connection between your brain and your hormones? Professor Jayashri Kulkarni joins Liz on this episode of the podcast to share how hormones influence our brains - and what it means for longevity.Jayashri, a professor in psychiatry, reveals what brought her to the profession, plus discusses the different types of oestrogen and their receptors, the benefits of testosterone, and the effects of other hormones on the brain.Liz and Jayashri also cover cognitive decline, how early life trauma may impact brain biology, and how damage to the brain may be able to be repaired.Jayashri shares how she helps to treat patients with mental health issues, and how to approach your doctor if you too are struggling.Links mentioned in the episode:Follow Professor Jayashri Kulkarni on InstagramLearn more about Dr Louise NewsonListen to our episode on oestrogen with Avrum BlumingListen to our episode on testosterone patches with Dr Sarah HillmanListen to our episode on EMDR therapy for traumaSubscribe to Liz Earle Wellbeing Magazine Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Struggling with chronic pain, anxiety, or burnout? The Lightning Process practitioner Lauren Stoney joins Liz on this episode of the podcast to share how this training programme can help people to bounce back from chronic issues.Lauren reveals how she uses The Lightning Process to help those struggling with burnout, anxiety and chronic pain issues such as fibromyalgia and migraine by rewiring nerve pathways.Liz explains how the neurophysiological technique - originally developed by Phil Parker - has helped her own family, while Lauren shares what brought her to it, how it works and how it can help us live our best lives.Links mentioned in the episode:Follow Lauren Stoney on InstagramVisit Lauren's websiteListen to our podcast with Lauren WindasVisit The Lightning Process websiteSubscribe to Liz Earle Wellbeing Magazine Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Ready to make your physical fitness more of a priority? Award-winning 'Midlife Mentors', Claire and James Davis, join Liz on this episode of the podcast to share advice on how to reclaim your body and mind - without making huge sacrifices.Claire and James share how to adjust your workout routine for midlife, and the importance of recovery and consistency here.The episode also covers how to successfully build positive new habits, nutrition principles for midlife, and incorporating healthy morning rituals into your day.Links mentioned in the episode:Visit the Midlife Mentors websiteFollow Midlife Mentors on InstagramTake the Midlife Mentors quizListen to Liz on the Midlife Mentors podcast Subscribe to Liz Earle Wellbeing Magazine  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Did you know that after the age of 50, more women will have bladder issues than those who don’t? Consultant gynaecologist and urogynaecologist Professor Vik Khullar joins Liz on this episode of the podcast to discuss the impact bladder issues can have - and why women shouldn’t have to suffer in silence.Liz and Vik discuss how lowering oestrogen levels during perimenopause and menopause can affect the bladder, the potential benefits of topical probiotics, and the key differences between interstitial cystitis and cystitis.The episode also covers incontinence, vaginal prolapse, the importance of pelvic floor exercises (also known as kegels), mast cells and histamine, plus the connection between Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and bladder issues.Links mentioned in the episode:Visit Vik Khullar's websiteLearn more about the Bowel and Bladder FoundationLearn more about the International Urogynaecological Association (IUGA)Learn more about the International Continence Society (ICS)Unpacking Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, with Lauren WindasSubscribe to Liz Earle Wellbeing Magazine Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Want to build a life full of meaning? Clinical psychologist Dr Sam Akbar joins Liz on this episode of the podcast to reveal the tools you need to go from just surviving to absolutely thriving.Sam shares how she helps patients struggling with trauma, explains how being more open with emotions can help you to become resilient to stress, and walks Liz through an experiment to learn what happens when you push feelings away.Liz and Sam discuss why our thoughts don’t define us, why values are the secret weapon of wellbeing, plus how to set goals for a 'better second half'.Links mentioned in the episode:Purchase Stressilient hereFollow Dr Sam Akbar on InstagramSubscribe to Liz Earle Wellbeing Magazine  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.