Do we have to miss out at Christmas to keep our nutrition goals on track? Family naturopath and functional medicine practitioner Lucinda Miller reveals the simple diet tweaks we can make to ensure we're eating healthily yet enjoying the festivities.

Lucinda shares what a typical December day on a plate looks like for her family and what's on her Christmas day menu, plus gives advice on how we can make healthier choices when eating out or at parties.

Liz and Lucinda discuss navigating alcohol through the celebrations, how to beat bloating, and classic Christmas dishes with surprising wellbeing wins.

Links mentioned in the episode:

• Follow Lucinda on Instagram
• Visit the Nature Doc website
• Purchase Brain Brilliance by Lucinda Miller
• Purchase A Better Second Half by Liz Earle
• Email us your questions at [email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With a surge in mental health medication prescribing in the UK in recent years, Dr Mark Horowitz, a clinical research fellow in psychiatry, joins Liz to reveal the truth about antidepressants.

Mark talks Liz through the physical and psychological difficulties of coming off mental health medication, plus why there should be more warning about side effects when initially prescribing.

They also chat about the chemical imbalance theory of depression and what these drugs really do in our brains. Mark also shares his advice on how to safely taper down when it's time to come off medication.

Links mentioned in the episode:

• Visit Dr Mark Horowitz's website 
• Listen to Debunking the chemical imbalance theory of depression, with Professor Joanna Moncrieff
• Maudsley Deprescribing Guidelines (UK)
• Graphs discussed in episodes
• Purchase A Better Second Half by Liz Earle
• Email us your questions at [email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With the health hazards of ultra-processed foods becoming all the more apparent, nutritionist Nichola Ludlam-Raine joins Liz to reveal how we can cut UPFs out of our diet without losing the foods we love.

Nichola shares advice on how to identify a UPF, the nutritional differences between these kinds of foods and whether they should be avoided at all costs.

Liz and Nichola also discuss how people with allergies can navigate ultra-processed foods, share simple advice to create better eating habits that will stick, and reveal why food manufacturers must take more responsibility with labelling.

Links mentioned in the episode:

• Buy How Not To Eat Ultra-Processed, by Nichola Ludlam-Raine
• Follow Nichola on Instagram
• Purchase A Better Second Half by Liz Earle
• Email us your questions at [email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Do you consider your brain health when doing your weekly food shop? Clinical nutritionist Stephanie Moore joins Liz to share how we can better nourish our brains through what we eat.

Liz and Stephanie talk through the extent that diet may be impacting our poor mental health, plus they discuss how recovery from stress and trauma may be linked to nutritional deficiencies.

They also cover the chemical imbalance theory of depression, share practical advice on improving digestion and cleaning up our diet, and why our brains need cholesterol.

Links mentioned in the episode:

• Purchase Eat Your Brain Happy by Stephanie Moore
• Follow Stephanie on Instagram
• Purchase A Better Second Half by Liz Earle
• Email us your questions at [email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How much time do you spend on your phone or a computer each day? With one in five people in the UK hitting burnout, leading cyber psychologist Elaine Kasket joins Liz to reveal what social media and technology are really doing to our health.

Elaine talks Liz through how technology may be impacting our mental health and relationships, and how we can maximise our social connections, plus shares advice on how we can reboot our relationship with the digital world.

The episode also covers some of the positives of modern technology, how to avoid comparison stealing your joy on social media, setting healthy boundaries with tech in the workplace, and our digital footprint after death.

Links mentioned in the episode:

• Purchase Reset: Rethinking Your Digital World for a Happier Life, by Elaine Kasket
• Purchase A Better Second Half by Liz Earle
• Email us your questions at [email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Do you manage to get out in nature every day for just 20 minutes? Biodiversity professor Kathy Willis joins Liz on this podcast to question whether not spending enough time outdoors is making us sick.

Kathy reveals the links between the amount of green space in our lives and better health, mood and longevity, and shares practical advice on how we can get more nature into our homes to reap these benefits, too.

Plus, Kathy and Liz discuss whether a lack of trees may be causing certain health conditions, how plants can enhance our lives (even helping us to fight cancer!), and why you might want to swap your carpets for wooden floors in your home.

Links mentioned in the episode:

• Purchase Good Nature by Kathy Willis
• Purchase A Better Second Half by Liz Earle
• Email us your questions at [email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With one in five women compared to one in eight men experiencing a common mental health issue in the UK, psychiatrist Linda Gask joins Liz to explore how mental health care is failing the sisterhood.

Liz and Linda question why so many more women than men are affected by anxiety, low mood, depression, and other mental health challenges, and they discuss the scores of societal pressures women face that may be contributing here.

Linda also shares her thoughts on medication for mental health, the prevalence of medical misogyny and gaslighting, and provides practical advice on getting the right support for your needs.

Links mentioned in the episode:

• Purchase Out of Her Mind by Linda Gask
• Purchase A Better Second Half by Liz Earle
• Email us your questions at [email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dealing with creaky joints, lacklustre hair and skin that's lost its bounce? Jo Woodhurst, Head of Nutrition at Ancient + Brave, joins Liz to reveal why collagen supplements are a midlife must.

Liz and Jo discuss how collagen declines with age, the physical signs we may notice, lifestyle choices that can affect production of this protein, and the significant connection between oestrogen levels and collagen.

In this episode brought to you in partnership with Ancient + Brave, Liz and Jo talk through how collagen may benefit our blood sugar balance, metabolism, heart and gut health, and share advice on selecting a high quality, effective supplement that is right for you.

Links mentioned in the episode:

• Save 20% on Ancient + Brave's Collagen (and across the website) with the LIZLOVES affiliate code
• Purchase A Better Second Half by Liz Earle
• Email us your questions at [email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How many different plants do you eat a week? Gut health expert Tim Spector joins Liz to share how we can improve our diet and gut microbiome to overhaul our health with his six key principles.

In this episode, Tim - who is a Professor of Epidemiology at King's College, London - reveals how a mini-stroke served as a much-needed wake-up call to pivot his attitude to food and nutrition.

Tim and Liz chat through whether you can tell how healthy you are by looking at your gut microbiome diversity, why it might be time to scrap calorie counting, and the magic number of plants we should be eating every week.

They also cover how to get more fermented foods into your diet, and Tim shares his thoughts on longer periods of fasting, following Liz's recent stint at a well-known fasting clinic.

Links mentioned in the episode:

• Purchase the Food for Life Cookbook
• Follow Tim Spector on Instagram
• Visit the Zoe website
• Purchase A Better Second Half by Liz Earle
• Email us your questions at [email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a menopause muddle? In this Menopause Day special, Liz sits down to answer YOUR questions on the menopause - from HRT conundrums to body image worries.

In this episode, Liz gives advice to Valentine on whether she should take HRT despite having no menopause symptoms, answers Jane's question on whether she can start HRT at age 60, helps Julie to find the right type of HRT for her, and shares advice on vaginal oestrogen for Jane.

Meanwhile, Liz covers pelvic floor and prolapse for Lesley, helps Tina with breast pain and her body image worries, shares her own personal experience with HRT for Sophia, and reveals an ideal menopausal breakfast for Jo.

Links mentioned in the episode:

• Purchase Oestrogen Matters by Avrum Bluming 
• Visit the Balance website
• Purchase the Pelvic Floor Bible by Jane Simpson
• Purchase Me & My Menopausal Vagina by Jane Lewis
• Listen to our podcast with Gabrielle Lyon on protein
• Listen to our podcast with Dr Rachel Rubin on vaginal oestrogen
• Listen to our podcast with Dr Milli Raizada on hormone health
• Listen to our podcast with Dr Louise Newson on the practicalities of HRT 
• Purchase A Better Second Half by Liz Earle
• Email us your questions at [email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.