The Liz Earle Wellbeing Show

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

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

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 CookbookFollow Tim Spector on InstagramVisit the Zoe websitePurchase A Better Second Half by Liz EarleEmail us your questions at podcast@lizearlewellbeing.com

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 websitePurchase the Pelvic Floor Bible by Jane SimpsonPurchase Me & My Menopausal Vagina by Jane LewisListen to our podcast with Gabrielle Lyon on proteinListen to our podcast with Dr Rachel Rubin on vaginal oestrogenListen to our podcast with Dr Milli Raizada on hormone healthListen to our podcast with Dr Louise Newson on the practicalities of HRT Purchase A Better Second Half by Liz EarleEmail us your questions at podcast@lizearlewellbeing.com

In honour of World Menopause Month, Liz reflects on some of our most fascinating podcast conversations on all things menopause - from libido to weight gain, oestrogen to testosterone - to help you better navigate this often tricky transition. Liz reveals the biggest menopause revelations that she found most startling, and considers her own personal journey with menopause and HRT. This episode shares highlights from Avrum Bluming on what oestrogen is and why it matters, Dr Louise Newson on getting back to basics with HRT, Dr Sarah Hillman on developing a testosterone patch, Dr Rachel Rubin on genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM), Dr Kuki Avery and Dr Laura Flexer on bone health, and Pauline Cox on oestrogen and metabolic health. Links mentioned in the episode:Listen to What oestrogen is why it matters, with Avrum BlumingListen to The practicalities of HRT, with Dr Louise NewsonListen to Developing the world's first testosterone patch, with Dr Sarah HillmanListen to Vaginal oestrogen could save your life, with Dr Rachel Rubin Listen to Oestrogen and bone health, with Dr Kuki Avery and Dr Laura FlexerListen to Eating for hormones, with Pauline CoxFollow Kate Muir on InstagramPurchase A Better Second Half by Liz EarleEmail us your questions at podcast@lizearlewellbeing.com

How do you feel about your relationship - or relationship status - right now? Therapist Anna Williamson joins Liz to reveal how to successfully navigate romantic relationships in midlife. Anna, who you may recognise from Channel 4 series Celebs Go Dating, shares her top tips for midlife women who want to dip their toes into the dating pool, and Liz discusses her own experience of looking for love online. They also cover the importance of dating outside of your 'type', and Anna reveals the key difference between a successful and unsuccessful she sees time and time again in her role as a therapist. Liz and Anna also discuss how we can successfully navigate periods of change, such as menopause, children leaving home, and retirement, how to identify abusive patterns, and the three questions to ask yourself before leaving a relationship. Links mentioned in the episode:Follow Anna Williamson on InstagramListen to the LuAnna podcastListen to the Experian Cost of Loving podcastPurchase A Better Second Half by Liz EarleEmail us your questions at podcast@lizearlewellbeing.com 

Are you a morning lark or night owl? Investigative journalist Lynne Peeples joins Liz to explore the fascinating science of circadian rhythms and how surprising aspects of modern lifestyles might be threatening our internal body clocks.Lynne reveals whether we should live according to sunrise and sunset, the optimal eating windows for circadian hygiene, and how becoming more in tune with our body clocks can help weight management and sleep.Liz and Lynne also talk through the links between fluctuating oestrogen levels and disrupted circadian rhythms in menopause and midlife.Links mentioned in the episode:Visit Lynne's website and buy The Inner ClockPurchase A Better Second Half by Liz EarleEmail us your questions at podcast@lizearlewellbeing.com

Are ultra-processed foods affecting our brain health? Family naturopath and functional medicine practitioner Lucinda Miller joins Liz on this podcast to reveal how what we put into our mouths influences what happens in our brains.Lucinda talks Liz through the links between ultra-processed foods and how they may affect our character, attention and behaviour. Plus, they discuss the emerging science surrounding the genetic components of conditions such as ADHD.And Lucinda also reveals the key foods for brain health and overall wellbeing for ourselves, our children and our grandchildren. This episode also explores the potential benefits of botanicals such as saffron and lion's mane for neurodivergent brains.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 one in three women saying they drink more alcohol since becoming peri or menopausal, Dr Nzinga Harrison joins Liz on this podcast to share why she wants us to rethink what we know about drug and alcohol addiction.In this episode, Nzinga, who is board-certified in psychiatry and addiction medicine, talks Liz through why the menopause may alter our relationship with alcohol, and emphasises that addiction is treatable and chronic, rather than being a choice or a moral failure.Nzinga shares a four-question screener known as CAGE, which you can do yourself to identify whether you may be struggling with addiction.They also cover how we can best support our loved ones through addiction and why language matters here.Links mentioned in the episode:Buy Un-Addiction by Nzinga HarrisonVisit Nzinga's websiteFollow Nzinga on InstagramVisit the Eleanor Health websitePurchase A Better Second Half by Liz EarleEmail us your questions at podcast@lizearlewellbeing.com