The Doctor's Kitchen Podcast

Why is it so hard to put our phones down even when we know they’re making us anxious? Today we’re going to unpack the neurochemistry of why we get hooked on devices and games, and how to reclaim our mental wellbeing from somebody who’s helping millions of people do this everyday. This week I’m joined by Dr. Alok Kanojia, Harvard-trained psychiatrist and co-founder of Healthy Gamer, to discuss digital devices, the science behind dopamine loops and how to develop a healthy relationship with our phones and more.We explore:📲 The brain circuits behind digital addiction (dopamine, the hippocampus, nucleus accumbens + more)⚠️ Signs your online use is tipping from healthy to harmful👨‍👩‍👧 Parenting in the digital age how to set boundaries without battles🧘 The surprising role of Vedic philosophy, meditation, and yoga in rewiring the brain🔑 Dr. K’s top tools for building a healthy, long-term relationship with technologyIf you’ve ever asked yourself “Am I addicted to my phone?” or struggled with screen time limits, this conversation blends science, psychiatry, and ancient wisdom to give you practical strategies for balance.We also take a massive tangent at the end of this podcast to talk about his spiritual side, the vedic teaching around personality traits and how Alok balances his beliefs about other worlds with a purely science informed approach. This is something I’m personally very interested in and while it’s a slight departure from the rigorous evidence based medicine approach we usually maintain on the DK podcast, I wanted to share this personal perspective with you all.Check out more from Dr.K https://www.healthygamer.gg/🎬 Watch the podcast on YouTube here📱 Download The Doctor’s Kitchen app🌐 View full show notes, including guest details, on our website☕️ Try Exhale Coffee here🥗 Join the newsletter and receive a 7 day meal plan📷 Follow on Instagram

Back pain is one of the most common health issues worldwide yet it’s still surrounded by confusion, fear, and myths. In this episode, I sit down with Anthony Ghosh, Consultant Spinal Neurosurgeon, educator and founder of Spine MDT Clinic to separate fact from fiction and give you a practical toolkit for a healthier spine.What I love about Anthony’s approach is that he created SpineMDT, a modern, multidisciplinary spine care service, that works alongside physiotherapists, osteopaths and chiropractitioners to deliver holistic care to his patients, many of whom he believes would NOT benefit from spinal surgery.We cover: 💡 Myth-busting: running, lifting weights, posture, mattresses, and more 🧠 What’s really happening when you get back pain and when to seek help 🏋️ The most effective exercises (including the McGill Big 3) for strength and recovery 🛏️ Sleep positions, pillows, shoes and desk-friendly tips to protect your back 🔬 Why surgery often isn’t the quick fix people expect and when it truly changes livesIf you’ve ever wondered whether cracking your back is dangerous, if a herniated disc can heal, or what the best daily routine for back health looks like, this episode has the answers.He’s also a strong advocate for educating patients and challenging outdated ideas about spine health, a message he regularly shares on his growing YouTube channel, Spine MDT and in clinical practice.🎬 Watch the podcast on YouTube here📱 Download The Doctor’s Kitchen app🌐 View full show notes, including guest details, on our website☕️ Try Exhale Coffee here🥗 Join the newsletter and receive a 7 day meal plan📷 Follow on Instagram

Today we’re talking about Simon Hill’s personal experience with CVD, what prompted him to have early screening for heart disease and what his results have shown. Which is quite surprising.Simon has early signs of heart disease and now he has a decision to make around whether he embarks on early drug treatment or delays treatment to watch how it evolves. As many of us become more pragmatic about health screening, it’s a situation that a lot of us will find ourselves in. Especially with the rise in popularity of full body scans.We also have a discussion around fats, the types of fats in the diet and how one may choose to lower their cholesterol with diet and lifestyle.We go on a virtual trip to the supermarket with Simon and discuss the framework for how to choose fats. The things you need to ask yourself about consuming fats, including the dose and what you’re eating it with.Simon Hill, a physiotherapist and nutrition scientist, is dedicated to simplifying health and nutrition information. He began his career interested in the physiology and anatomy related to optimal athletic performance. Then, encouraged by his Dad's heart attack, he turned his attention to nutrition's role in preventing disease and optimising health. Concerned about misleading wellness industry trends, he completed a Master of Science in Human Nutrition at Deakin University.🎬 Watch the podcast on YouTube here📱 Download The Doctor’s Kitchen app🌐 View full show notes, including guest details, on our website☕️ Try Exhale Coffee here🥗 Join the newsletter and receive a 7 day meal plan📷 Follow on Instagram

“In order to have maximum wellbeing, it’s not enough to sleep, eat well and exercise, you also need to have a purpose, including one that transcends yourself”This conversation is so important for me personally as I navigate the complex relationship between two parts of my brain. The rational, data driven skeptical side that is unwilling to accept anything without complete proof; and the spiritual side that is inexplicably drawn to certain things and leans into a belief that we are connected to the universe in ways we cannot explain.Tara and I have known each other for a few years, but as you can tell on this podcast we’re quite close. She unfortunately lost her partner 4 years ago to cancer, which she describes in detail in her latest book. But after his death she began to experience what she intuitively believed were signs from her partner. Highly improbable coincidences, chance happenings and events that were simply impossible to ignore.At first, this led her down a path of first questioning her mental state, but using her experience as a medical doctor and neuroscientist she began to explore the science of consciousness and explored the possibility of trusting her instincts and intuition of what she believes to be true.According to Tara, these strange nudges and connections with people who have died are not random, and it’s time we took them seriously.We explore what we’ve lost in our modern lives, how our brain filters reality and what we might be missing, how to sharpen your intuition so you can spot the signs around you and finding purpose, meaning and connection in your own life.We explore ancient practices like drumming, humming and vows of silence, as well as spending as much time in nature to connect with the wider universe and tap into our instincts, to live happier and more enriched lives.We explore the science of terminal lucidity, near death experiences, the art of noticing and what they can teach us about life after death and why leading a spiritual life can be so healthful and healing.🎬 Watch the podcast on YouTube here📱 Download The Doctor’s Kitchen app🌐 View full show notes, including guest details, on our website☕️ Try Exhale Coffee here🥗 Join the newsletter and receive a 7 day meal plan📷 Follow on Instagram

In this episode, we’re cutting through the noise around strength, longevity, and weight loss with Dr. Gabrielle Lyon, a physician and founder of the muscle-centric medicine movement.If you’ve ever wondered how to train for long-term health, this is your practical, science-backed guide. We dive into why building and maintaining muscle is essential not just for performance or appearance but for your metabolic health, brain function, immune system, and resilience as you age.We cover: 💪 Why muscle is the organ of longevity and how it protects against chronic disease 🥗 What a muscle-centric plate looks like 🧠 How muscle influences your mood, memory, and brain health 🏋️‍♀️ The minimum effective dose of resistance training for busy livesPlus, Dr. Lyon answers your biggest questions about GLP-1s, sarcopenia, protein, supplements, and how men and women should train differently as they age.If you’re in your 30s, 40s, or beyond and haven’t prioritised muscle this conversation might just change your health trajectory.Dr. Gabrielle Lyon is an accomplished physician and the New York Times bestselling author of FOREVER STRONG: A New, Science-Based Strategy for Aging Well. Dr. Lyon's educational and research background includes dual clinical fellowships in geriatrics and nutritional sciences at Washington University, along with undergraduate training in nutritional sciences at the University of Illinois. A highly sought-after educator and consultant, she is an authority in the practical application of protein types and levels for health, performance, aging, and disease prevention. You can find out more from Dr Lyon here at https://drgabriellelyon.com/🎬 Watch the podcast on YouTube here📱 Download The Doctor’s Kitchen app🌐 View full show notes, including guest details, on our website☕️ Try Exhale Coffee here🥗 Join the newsletter and receive a 7 day meal plan📷 Follow on Instagram

If you’re often tired, struggling with dips in concentration, mood swings, or just not feeling your best your sugar intake might be playing a bigger role than you realise.Cutting down on sugar isn’t just about reducing your risk of diabetes or heart disease later in life. It can transform how you feel today with more energy, sharper focus, lower inflammation, and a body that’s set up to age well.In this episode, I go deeper than the usual “sugar is bad” conversation. We cover: 🔎 The hidden sources of sugar (even in so-called “healthy” diets) 🧠 Why reducing sugar really matters for your brain and body ❓ Is sugar addictive and are some types actually better than others? 🚨 Hidden signs your body is getting too much sugar ✅ My 5 practical steps to cut down without giving up everything you loveIf you’ve ever wanted a clear, no-nonsense guide to lowering sugar for better health, this is it.🎬 Watch the podcast on YouTube here📱 Download The Doctor’s Kitchen app🌐 View full show notes, including guest details, on our website☕️ Try Exhale Coffee here🥗 Join the newsletter and receive a 7 day meal plan📷 Follow on Instagram

What if there were chemicals in the air and energy charges in the ground that benefit your brain for better clarity and protection against mental illness? This is what today’s guest has written about in his research and why his prescriptions for better mental health include nature, food, movement, and gratitude.In this episode I’m joined by Dr. Drew Ramsey, board-certified psychiatrist, author, and pioneer in nutritional psychiatry, to talk about how we can strengthen our mental fitness in today’s world.We explore: 🌳 Why modern city living takes a toll on the brain and how green spaces restore it 🥦 The power of food and myokines from exercise to fight inflammation 🙏 Simple grounding practices, purpose, and gratitude as medicine for the mind 🌄 Drew’s personal journey moving to the mountains and finding balance with his familyDr. Ramsey shares practical, science-backed tools for building resilience, protecting your mental health, and reconnecting with what matters most.Learn how to start your own “outdoor prescription” and build lasting mental fitness for the modern brain.DREW RAMSEY, MD is a board-certified psychiatrist, author, and leading voice in Nutritional Psychiatry and integrative mental health. He is a Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association and the founder of the Brain Food Clinic and Spruce Mental Health. For twenty years, he served as an assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at Columbia University, where he taught and supervised psychotherapy and nutritional psychiatry.🎬 Watch the podcast on YouTube here📱 Download The Doctor’s Kitchen app🌐 View full show notes, including guest details, on our website☕️ Try Exhale Coffee here🥗 Join the newsletter and receive a 7 day meal plan📷 Follow on Instagram

Today I’m speaking with world-leading gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulsiewicz about how to heal your gut and keep it working at its best. We get into what inflammation really is, why it matters, and how the food you eat can help you find the right balance.In this episode…What inflammation actually is and why it’s more than just a buzzwordThe hidden signs of inflammation that most people don’t connect with their gutWhat is “leaky gut”How modern life drives chronic inflammation and what you can do about itWhy fibre is the cornerstone of gut health and how to add it sensiblyThe power of short-chain fatty acids like butyrate to heal the gut and calm inflammationHow sugar, salt and fat fuel inflammationSupplements vs whole foods for gut health and when fibre supplements may helpHow much fibre you really need each day and how to increase it without discomfortSimple, practical food swaps and recipes Dr B uses himself (including chia seed bread!)Dr. Will Bulsiewicz, or "Dr. B," is a celebrated gastroenterologist and gut health expert, founder of popular microbiome nutrition company 38TERA, the New York Times bestselling author of two books, the U.S. Medical Director for ZOE and Adjunct Assistant Professor at Emory School of Medicine. He is a champion for preventing and reversing disease through microbiome optimisation and shares his expertise via social media and at theguthealthmd.com.I’m super excited about his next book coming out in January 2026, Plant-Powered Plus!🎬 Watch the podcast on YouTube here📱 Download The Doctor’s Kitchen app🌐 View full show notes, including guest details, on our website☕️ Try Exhale Coffee here🥗 Join the newsletter and receive a 7 day meal plan📷 Follow on Instagram

Dementia is a disease of lifestyle. That’s what my guest Dr Louisa believes, and it’s her mission to get everyone up to speed on the science so we can delay or entirely prevent dementia around the globe.Today we’re diving into supplements like creatine, omega 3 and vitamin D as they relate to brain health optimisation and prevention of one of the biggest killers in the UK, Dementia. I now personally take these supplements regularly as part of my daily routine and while I don’t necessarily feel immediate benefits, the research is solid enough for me to make this decision.Dr Louisa specialises in neurophysiology, Alzheimer’s disease prevention, and the science of brain optimisation. Her mission is to live in a world where Alzheimer’s no longer exists. Louisa graduated from the University of Sydney Medical School, where her doctoral focus in neurophysiology spotlighted lifestyle interventions and neurodegeneration. After relocating to New York, she advanced her research career by working alongside world-class neurosurgeons, contributing to clinical investigations in cranioplasty and post-neurosurgical outcomes, with a particular emphasis on the role of exercise and nutrition in recovery and brain health.A trusted advisor to high-performing athletes and healthcare professionals, Louisa translates complex neuroscience into actionable strategies for longevity, brain health, and performance. 🎬 Watch the podcast on YouTube here📱 Download The Doctor’s Kitchen app🌐 View full show notes, including guest details, on our website☕️ Try Exhale Coffee here🥗 Join the newsletter and receive a 7 day meal plan📷 Follow on Instagram