Real Health and Weight Loss Podcast

Fibre-maxxing, high protein everything, GLP-1 injections... diet trends come and go, but does your body actually care what's fashionable? In this episode, Dr Lucy Burns and Dr Mary Barson take a good look at why real food, higher protein and lower carb eating remains one of the most effective approaches for metabolic health, no matter what's currently having a moment on social media. 

Dr Lucy and Dr Mary unpack why our physiology hasn't caught up with our rapidly changing food environment, and why that matters for anyone trying to lose weight or improve their health. They explore the difference between trendy fibre and food-industry fibre, why adherence (not willpower) is usually the real barrier to lasting change, and how GLP-1 medications can work in partnership with a real food, lower carb approach rather than replacing it. They also bust the myth that these medications are "cheating," explaining how they may help quiet food noise so people can actually use the tools they've learned. 

If you've ever felt like low carb is old news, this episode is an evidence-informed reminder that some fundamentals never really go out of style. Tune in for practical insight you can actually use, trendy or not. 

For more information about Real Life Medicine and our programs and special offers: https://www.rlmedicine.com/ 

Episode, show notes & transcript
https://www.rlmedicine.com/is-low-carb-still-relevant 

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Is creatine a game-changer for your health, or just another overhyped supplement clogging up your social media feed? In this episode, Dr Mary Barson and Dr Lucy Burns cut through the noise to give you an honest, science-backed look at one of the most talked-about supplements right now. 

Dr Mary and Dr Lucy explore what creatine actually is, what the evidence really says about its benefits for muscle building and brain function, and who may actually benefit. They bust the alarming myths circulating online about kidneys, cancer, and hair loss, explain why the research is far more nuanced than the clickbait headlines suggest, and give their take on gummies. 

You'll walk away knowing how to make a truly informed decision about creatine, rather than one driven by fear or social media hype. If you've been wondering whether this supplement belongs in your routine or worried by the scary claims out there, this is the episode for you. 

For more information about Real Life Medicine and our programs and special offers: https://www.rlmedicine.com/ 

Episode, show notes & transcript
https://www.rlmedicine.com/does-creatine-work 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Peptides are all over social media, but are they actually safe? In this episode, Dr Lucy and Dr Mary unpack what peptide hormones really are and why the booming, murky peptide market has them concerned. 

They explore where these products are really coming from, what can go wrong when nobody's checking what's in the vial, and why some of the newer trends aimed at young people worry them most as doctors.  

If you're curious about peptides, or worried about a loved one who is, this episode gives you plenty to think about. 

For more information about Real Life Medicine and our programs and special offers: https://www.rlmedicine.com/ 

Episode, show notes & transcript
https://www.rlmedicine.com/what's-the-deal-with-peptides 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is magnesium really worth the hype, and which one should you actually be taking? In this episode, Dr Mary and Dr Lucy cut through the confusion around "magnificent magnesium" to help you make clearer, more confident decisions without the marketing spin. 

You'll hear why magnesium matters for energy, metabolic health, sleep and nervous system regulation, and why so many people may not be getting enough from modern diets alone. The doctors explore the most common forms, including citrate, glycinate and the newer magnesium L-threonate, covering what the evidence suggests, potential side effects, cost and when each one may be useful. There's also a must-know safety tip about hidden vitamin B6 in combined supplements that could affect your nerves over time. 

By the end, you'll have a practical, no-nonsense guide to whether a magnesium supplement may help you, what to look for on the label and when real food may be enough. It's the kind of grounded, honest conversation you can take straight to your next chat with your GP or pharmacist. Listen now, your sleep and your cells will thank you. 

For more information about Real Life Medicine and our programs and special offers: https://www.rlmedicine.com/ 

Episode, show notes & transcript
https://www.rlmedicine.com/what-s-the-best-sort-of-magnesium 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lipoedema might be the missing piece in your health story. In this episode, Dr Lucy and Dr Mary shine a purple light on this under-recognised condition that mostly affects women and is often mistaken for “just being overweight”. 

You’ll hear how lipoedema is different from lymphoedema, why the fat on your legs and arms may not respond to diet and exercise like the rest of your body, and the typical signs that doctors often miss. They also chat about how common it may be, why so many women are told to simply lose weight, and what current awareness campaigns are trying to change. 

If you’ve ever felt dismissed or blamed for a body shape that doesn’t make sense, this conversation will give you clarity, language to advocate for yourself, and a new lens on what might really be going on. Press play and find out whether lipoedema could be part of your story. 

For more information about Real Life Medicine and our programs and special offers: https://www.rlmedicine.com/ 

Episode, show notes & transcript 
https://www.rlmedicine.com/could-it-be-lipoedema 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you've ever felt like exercise is just another thing you're failing at, this episode is for you.

The truth is, you don't need a punishing gym program to protect your brain and your metabolic health. The evidence suggests that small, varied movements woven into your day may be just as powerful as any structured workout routine. 

In this episode, Dr Lucy and Dr Mary introduce the concept of the "exercise salad", the idea that your body and brain do best with a mix of different movement types, not just one. They explore why muscle strength matters for both metabolic health and brain protection, how a little "huff and puff" may help reduce dementia risk for many people, and why mobility and balance are the often-forgotten ingredients that keep you moving well for life. They also dig into the all-or-something mindset that can transform how you approach movement on your busiest, most exhausted days. 

You'll walk away with practical strategies you can start today without changing your clothes, joining a gym, or carving out extra time. From calf raises at the kettle to sit-to-stands off the toilet, this episode makes movement feel genuinely doable. Tune in and build your own exercise salad. 

For more information about Real Life Medicine and our programs and special offers: https://www.rlmedicine.com/ 

Episode, show notes & transcript
https://www.rlmedicine.com/the-exercise-salad-why-variety-beats-the-perfect-workout-every-time 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What if golf changed your life in ways you never expected? In this episode, Dr Lucy Burns chats with Rebecca Laut, a woman who picked up golf in her 30s and found far more than a hobby. Rebecca shares how getting out on the course helped her stay active while managing PCOS and insulin resistance, and how combining movement, lifestyle changes, and a GLP-1 medication led to something she never thought possible: a healthy pregnancy. You will also hear about her female-founded golf apparel brand Clubdayze, why 60% of new golfers in Australia are now women, and why golf might just be the best lifestyle medicine you have never tried. A great listen for any woman who thinks golf is not for her. 

Website: https://www.clubdayze.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clubdayze 

For more information about Real Life Medicine and our programs and special offers: https://www.rlmedicine.com/ 

Episode, show notes & transcript
https://www.rlmedicine.com/is-golf-good-for-your-health 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do you reach for food when you're stressed, tired, or overwhelmed? In this episode, Dr Mary Barson and Dr Lucy Burns break down the real reasons behind emotional eating. No guilt, no shame. Just clear, practical tools you can use right now. Learn the PHALTS framework to spot your triggers, understand what your brain is actually doing when cravings hit, and discover simple "hot tools" to pause before you eat. You'll also get the "cool tools" to build lasting emotional resilience. This episode will change how you see your relationship with food. 

For more information about Real Life Medicine and our programs and special offers: https://www.rlmedicine.com/ 

Episode, show notes & transcript
https://www.rlmedicine.com/brain-based-solutions-to-stop-emotional-eating 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Does your brain seem to work against you when it comes to healthy habits? In this episode, Dr Mary and Dr Lucy explore ADHD and why so many women, especially in midlife, find healthy living hard to stick to. 

They explain the gap between knowing what to do and actually doing it, and share simple, practical tools to bridge that gap. 

You will learn why it is not about trying harder, how to manage demand overload, and five clear strategies to make good habits stick, including anchoring, habit pairing, and shrinking the change. 

Whether you have ADHD or not, this episode is full of tools you can start using today.  Visit https://www.rlmedicine.com/ 

 

For more information about Real Life Medicine and our programs and special offers: https://www.rlmedicine.com/ 

Episode, show notes & transcript
https://www.rlmedicine.com/practical-steps-to-improve-habits-if-you-have-adhd-helpful-even-if-you-dont 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Did you know women are twice as likely to develop Alzheimer's disease as men, and oestrogen may be a key reason why? In this episode, Dr Lucy Burns and Dr Mary Barson break down the real science behind oestrogen's role in brain health and dementia prevention, why the infamous 2003 WHI study sent doctors running scared for decades, and what the latest evidence actually means for women in midlife. If MHT is not right for you, don't worry, protecting your brain is never a one-trick pony. This is the episode every woman in midlife needs to hear. 

Research mentioned in this episode: 

• Paganini-Hill A, Henderson VW. Archives of Internal Medicine. 1996 
• Kim YJ et al. Alzheimer's & Dementia. 2021 
• Nerattini M et al. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience. 2023 
• Cipriano GL et al. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2024 
• Melville NA et al. The Lancet Healthy Longevity. 2025 

For more information about Real Life Medicine and our programs and special offers: https://www.rlmedicine.com/ 

Episode, show notes & transcript
https://www.rlmedicine.com/can-hrt-prevent-dementia 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.