The Liz Earle Wellbeing Show

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 InstagramVisit the Nature Doc websitePurchase Brain Brilliance by Lucinda MillerPurchase A Better Second Half by Liz EarleEmail us your questions at podcast@lizearlewellbeing.com

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 MoncrieffMaudsley Deprescribing Guidelines (UK)Graphs discussed in episodesPurchase A Better Second Half by Liz EarleEmail us your questions at podcast@lizearlewellbeing.com

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-RaineFollow Nichola on InstagramPurchase A Better Second Half by Liz EarleEmail us your questions at podcast@lizearlewellbeing.com

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 MooreFollow Stephanie on InstagramPurchase A Better Second Half by Liz EarleEmail us your questions at podcast@lizearlewellbeing.com

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 KasketPurchase A Better Second Half by Liz EarleEmail us your questions at podcast@lizearlewellbeing.com

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 WillisPurchase A Better Second Half by Liz EarleEmail us your questions at podcast@lizearlewellbeing.com