It’s World Gut Health Day this week (officially known as World Digestive Health Day), and I wanted to do a dive into something I get asked about more frequently. And that’s leaky gut.

I’m cutting through the supplement marketing and scary-sounding terms to talk about:

• Why your gut might need support even if you feel totally fine
• Why gut health is linked to bloating, fatigue, brain fog and more
• What “leaky gut” actually means
• Can you test for leaky gut, and are the online kits worth it
• My favourite foods for a healthy gut

For gut-friendly recipes, check out our collection in the Doctor’s Kitchen app and website – all designed with fibre, polyphenols and plant variety in mind to support a healthy gut.

👉 https://tdk.link/gut-health-recipes

Papers referenced

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6790068/#S10 https://www.clinicalnutritionjournal.com/article/S0261-5614(21)00416-7/fulltext https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29519916/ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8427160/#s1

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We brush our teeth every day. It’s one of those things we do without thinking. But your mouth is doing so much more than just housing your teeth. It has a strong link with protecting your heart, avoiding type 2 diabetes and even potentially preventing dementia. 

In fact having a regular hygienist appointment can improve your blood sugar levels and significantly reduce inflammation in the body.

Flossing, brushing properly and even tongue scraping is far more than keeping your teeth looking spick and span, it’s critical to keeping inflammation in balance which could extend to longevity benefits. But what about fluoride in toothpaste, mouth washes, antibacterial gums and prebiotic flossing?

Today, I’m joined by Dr Victoria Sampson - a functional dentist and researcher who’s changing how we think about oral health. She’s helping us understand that the mouth isn’t separate from the rest of the body, it’s also where chronic disease shows up.

Today we’ll discuss:

👄 The 5 signs your mouth is trying to tell you about your health

🧠 What your oral health reveals about your brain, heart and gut

🦷 How to care for your mouth in under 5 minutes a day

👩🏽‍⚕️ The daily routine a dentist wants you to follow

💦 Why saliva is much more important than you think

🔬Whether we should be testing our ‘oral microbiome’?

We’ll also talk about why I’m going to be adding propolis, mouth taping, chewing gum and tongue scraping to my regime. If you’re interested in learning more about Dr Victoria’s clinic and tests, check the show notes or head to https://thslabs.co.uk

Oral Microbiome Test (ORALIS-1): https://thslabs.co.uk/

@Drvictoriasampson

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I asked some of the brilliant minds we've had on The Doctor’s Kitchen Podcast (doctors, neuroscientists, psychiatrists, nutritionists) one question: What’s your number one tip for better mental health? 

The truth is, there’s no single fix. Mental health is a mosaic of biology, lifestyle, connection, meaning and nourishment. It’s not something we “deal with” when things fall apart. It’s something we need to tend to every day, like we do with brushing our teeth or watering plants.

These insights are not only evidence-based, but deeply human. I hope you find something in this episode that resonates with you, whether it’s a small shift, a fresh perspective or a reminder to care of yourself.

You’ll hear from:

• TJ Power, neuroscientist
• Dr Romayne Gadelrab, Consultant Psychiatrist 
• Julia Samuel, psychotherapist
• Kiran Chopra, Sport and Exercise Physiologist
• Dr Megan Rossi, dietitian & researcher
• Drew Ramsey, Psychiatrist
• Dr. Amrita Vijay, researcher
• Dr Miguel Toribio-Mateas, neuroscientist

I’ll be giving you the low down on food and mental health to kick off the episode too!

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What if ageing well had less to do with your genes, your skincare routine or the supplements you take ... and more to do with your immune system?

Most of us think about immunity as something that only matters when we’re fighting off a cold or flu. But actually, it’s quietly working behind the scenes every single day shaping how we feel, how we recover and how long we stay well.

Our immune health is also constantly evolving and changing over our lifecycle. From birth to our 20s, midlife and beyond our immune system plays a critical role in how we feel, our risk of disease and how well we age.

Dr Jenna Macciochi is an immunologist specialising in the intersection of nutrition, movement, mind-body practices and lifestyle with the immune system in health and disease. 

She’s also a brilliant science communicator who has a beautiful way of weaving science with story. In her new book, Immune to Age, Dr Jenna reframes immunity not as a fortress that springs into action, but as a lifelong partner guiding us through the seasons of our lives from the day we’re born to the way we age.

We dive into:

• Why inflammation is not just good or bad
• How your immune system changes with age
• What to focus on in your 20s, 40s and beyond
• The role of inflammation, infection and stress in ageing
• Supplements like creatine, collagen, taurine, peptides and nootropic mushrooms

Follow  @dr_jenna_macciochi and preorder the book “Immune to Age”

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Seasonal allergies seem to be getting worse. A lot of people are feeling it now.

It’s common to reach for antihistamines without really thinking about it. They definitely have their place and can be really helpful when symptoms are bad. But taking them every day is something we still don't fully understand, especially when it comes to long-term effects.

If you deal with allergies for months each year, it’s worth pausing and exploring strategies that might be more sustainable.

Many healthy habits that support overall health can also help manage inflammation, immune function and allergy symptoms. They’re not always as quick as taking a capsule, but they can make a real difference over time.

In this episode, I'm sharing:

• Why seasonal allergies seem to be getting worse
• The role and potential risks of antihistamines
• 5 daily habits that could ease allergy/hay fever symptoms

Quick note about nettle: I didn't find much strong research, but that doesn't mean it couldn't help some people. It just shows how much more there is to learn.

Sources

• Antihistamines: Sue et al. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2024. PMID: 38935035.
• Vitamin D: Malik et al. European Respiratory Journal. 2015 
• Dietary diversity: Nakamoto et al. Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2019
• Fibre: Sdona et al. Clinical and translational allergy. 2022
• Polyphenols, chlorophyll, quercetin, vitamins C, D and E: Pellow et al. Complement Ther Med. 2020
• Fruits & vegetables: Kusunoki et al. Pediatr Allergy Immunol. 2017 | Oh et al. Pediatr Allergy Immunol. 2020
• Probiotics: Ried et al. Frontiers in Nutrition. 2022
• Ginger & curcumin: Yamprasert et al. BMC Complement Med Ther. 2020 | Wu et al. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2016
• Saline rinse: Wang et al. Allergologia et Immunopathologia. 2020
• Steam inhalation: Vathanophas et al. Asian Pac J Allergy Immunol. 2021 

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In today’s episode, I’m talking all about protein - why it matters, how much you really need, and how it could be the missing piece in your approach to health.

I’ll dive into:

 🍳 Why protein is essential for everything from muscle maintenance to hormone production

🌿 The link between increased protein intake and menopausal health

⚖️ How eating more protein can prevent unwanted weight gain

🥣 Why I believe getting enough protein and fibre at breakfast is one of the smartest moves you can make for long-term health and longevity

🚨 The signs and symptoms of low protein intake, and how to spot them before they affect your energy, immunity, or mood

👥 Who’s most at risk of under-consuming protein, and how to make simple, sustainable changes

🥩 What is the best quality protein source

Whether you’re navigating menopause, trying to improve energy levels, or just want to eat in a way that supports your body as it ages, this episode is packed with practical tips and grounded in science.

Grab the new book Healthy High Protein here.

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Today we invite Dr Amrita Vijay to the podcast. She is a leading scientific advisor and researcher specialising in the intersection of diet, the gut microbiome, and health. With a strong background in conducting nutritional interventions in both India and the UK, Dr Vijay explores how food influences inflammation, mood and overall well-being.

We discuss:

• The prebiotic potential of omega-3
• Why not all dietary fibres can be considered equal. 
• The influence of culture and heritage on our dietary habits and why acknowledging these factors is essential for driving meaningful and sustainable dietary changes. 

We also discuss the differences between pre and probiotics, which probiotics may actually have evidence behind them and her thoughts on gut supporting diets, diversity scoring and lots more.

Dr Vijay was recently awarded the Best Research Award from the University of Nottingham. Passionate about translating cutting-edge science into practical strategies, Dr Vijay is dedicated to empowering individuals with evidence-based insights on how diet and lifestyle can optimise health and well-being.

Probiotic Guide

Doctors Kitchen Bread

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What if everything you thought you knew about cholesterol, fat, and metabolic health was up for debate? As someone interested in nutrition research, I’m always up for exploring differing points of view especially when they come from a rigorous scientific background and can speak to the evidence base. 

So in this episode, I sit down with Dr Nick Norwitz PhD, to challenge some of my long held positions in nutrition science and break down keto.

He’s a researcher and expert in ketogenic diets, lipid metabolism, and metabolic health as well as a current medical student at Harvard Medical school.

We discuss:

🔥 Nick’s personal journey with IBD and the ketogenic diet

🥑 Whether saturated fat actually causes heart disease?

📉 Cholesterol confusion – and whether we should all aim for a lower LDL-C or ApoB by any means necessary?

💡 Keto as a metabolic state vs. a diet – what it means for fat loss

📊 The problems with nutrition research

Plus, we explore how to measure metabolic health, keto adaptation, and whether a high-fat, high-animal-protein diet can be optimal for longevity.

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Today I’m joined by personal trainer Sophie Waplington to break down one of the biggest concerns for plant-based eaters: getting enough protein and maintaining strength.

We tackle common fears around plant-based eating, including:

🥩 "Am I getting enough protein without meat?"

💪 "Will I lose muscle if I switch to a plant-predominant diet?"

💰 "Is plant-based eating too expensive or complicated?"

Together, we explore the science of protein quality, practical meal-building tips, and effective training strategies to support muscle health and strength.

We discuss:

• Complete proteins & amino acid profiles
• PDCAAS & DIAAS scores – Are these metrics actually useful?
• The leucine threshold & muscle gain – Is it harder to reach with plant-based protein?
• Protein layering – The best plant-based combos for a complete amino acid profile
• How much protein per meal? – Ideal targets and what it looks like on a plate

🏋️‍♀️ Resistance Training & Muscle Strength

• Why strength training is essential for overall health
• Pre- and post-workout nutrition on a plant-based diet
• Does protein timing really matter for muscle gain?

🍽️ What Does This Look Like in Real Life?

• How to start increasing protein intake on a plant-based diet
• Common mistakes when transitioning to plant protein
• How to add more protein to meals like pasta, curries, and stir-fries

Sophie Waplington is a celebrated plant-based chef, content creator and a highly sought-after fitness expert. Sophie's influence spans the globe with a dedicated fan-base of over 1 million followers. Sophie is steadfast in her mission: to prove that plant-based cuisine can be delicious, nutritionally- robust and protein- packed.

Grab her new book Sophs Plant Kitchen here!

Double Chocolate Cookies!

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Today, I’m joined by Professor Leigh Breen, a leading expert in muscle health and ageing. He’s Professor of Translational Muscle Physiology at the University of Birmingham, where he researches how exercise and nutrition can help us maintain muscle as we get older.

We’ll be covering:

✅ Why strength training is essential for healthy ageing

✅ The key exercises every older adult should be doing

✅ How much protein you actually need as you age

✅ Is walking enough to keep your muscles strong?

✅ How to start strength training if you’ve never done it before

✅ The hidden benefits of exercise, from sharper thinking to blood sugar control

✅ Supplements, new therapies, and what’s on the horizon for muscle health

We’ll also talk about the most important muscle groups for longevity, the best compound exercises to focus on, and how progressive overload can help you stay strong for life.

This is essential information, whether for you, your parents, or someone you love. So share this episode with family and friends who need to hear it! And as always, let us know your thoughts—your feedback helps make the podcast even better.

“Couch to Compound” exercises. These are the ones that give you the most bang for your buck and focus on the muscles that you need to prioritise for healthier ageing.

1. Squat

2. Deadlift

3. Bench or Chest Press

4. Pull Up

5. Lunges / Farmers Walk

6. Planks

And as always, give us feedback to help us make the podcast even better.

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