Feel Better, Live More with Dr Rangan Chatterjee

Becoming Stress Proof with Dr Mithu Storoni #56

Although you can’t see it, stress is everywhere. Once pushed aside as something that couldn’t be explained, stress is now a quantifiable, identifiable, solid thing that has real physical effects on our bodies and our long-term health. But what can we do about it? Neuroscientist, researcher and guest on this week’s episode, Dr. Mithu Storoni, has read over 1,000 academic papers to answer that question.  Mithu shares the finding of her research and explains just what stress can do to our bodies and how we can measure it using modern technology. She gives some brilliant practical tips on how we can buffer ourselves from the consequences of stress. I hope you enjoy the conversation! Show notes available at drchatterjee.com/56 Follow me on instagram.com/drchatterjee/ Follow me on facebook.com/DrChatterjee/ Follow me on twitter.com/drchatterjeeuk DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Eating for Longevity with Professor Valter Longo #55

What do we need to eat in order to live a long and healthy life? World-leading researcher in longevity, Professor Valter Longo, shares his views on diet and nutrition in this week’s episode. We discuss high protein diets, ketogenic diets and the concept of a low carb diet. Valter believes that we have over-simplified nutrition by looking at macronutrients in isolation - carbohydrates, fats and proteins – but in actual fact, we need all of these in our diets. And just as there are ‘good’ fats and ‘bad’ fats - some that we should be eating more of and others less of, the same is true of carbohydrates. Finally, Valter talks about fasting and his novel approach to research whereby he takes ancient knowledge and wisdom and marries it up with the latest science. This is the approach he used when formulating the fasting mimicking diet (FMD), a five-day plan that causes the body to go into fasting mode. Valter talks about the amazing benefits the diet - such as reducing visceral fat and abdominal fat. Although it hasn’t been proven in humans yet, it has been shown to reduce fatty liver, insulin resistance and even improve some autoimmune conditions in mice. This is a really eye-opening conversation – I hope you enjoy it! DISCLAIMER: Dr Chatterjee accepts no responsibility for anyone deciding to undertake the Fasting Mimicking Diet(ProLon). Please read all the disclaimers on the ProLon website – they state that ProLon is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Also, that it should not be used to treat either Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes. Finally, please pay close attention to the ‘Is ProLon Right For Me’ section of the ProLon website if you wish to undertake the diet. Show notes available at drchatterjee.com/55 Follow me on instagram.com/drchatterjee/ Follow me on facebook.com/DrChatterjee/ Follow me on twitter.com/drchatterjeeuk

Re-Defining Happiness with Professor Paul Dolan #54

CAUTION ADVISED: this podcast contains swearing and themes of an adult nature. What really makes us happy? Is it a big house, lots of money, marriage and children? Not necessarily. Yet so many of us base what we do upon the ‘stories’ we tell ourselves of what we think should make us happy without paying attention to whether these things actually do make us happy day-to-day. Professor of behavioural science and guest on this week’s podcast, Professor Paul Dolan, believes that happiness is subjective in every way and if we free ourselves from the myth of the perfect life we might each find a life that is worth living. We discuss how happiness lies in the small stuff, not the big life-changing things. It is located in the things we do and the things we pay attention to – and how we feel about those experiences. Paul argues that the right balance of things that you find fun on one hand and fulfilling on the other, lead you to a happy life. He shares lots of practical tips that can help us all find more fulfilment and ultimately more happiness. I hope you enjoy this conversation. Show notes available at drchatterjee.com/54 Follow me on instagram.com/drchatterjee/ Follow me on facebook.com/DrChatterjee/ Follow me on twitter.com/drchatterjeeuk DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

How to Do Less, Do it Better and Live More with Elizabeth Emens #53

Do life’s mundane tasks like paying bills, answering emails or booking appointments feel like a whole other job? The stuff of life never ends. It piles up in junk drawers, steals our time, weighs on our minds and, if avoided for too long, can have painful consequences. We are all drowning in things to do and it is a major stressor on our bodies – impacting our health, wellbeing and the quality of our relationships.  A big part of the problem is that this “life admin” is invisible: we forget it exists, and the people around us don’t value the labour involved. Not only that, but the constant bombardment of unwanted work gets in the way of our big life goals and our self-care. This week, I talk to professor of law and author of ‘The Art of Life Admin’, Elizabeth Emens, about how we can make this work visible, better manageable and fairer. She gives some brilliant tips on how we can all steal back some time to do the things we want to and bring more calm into our lives. I hope you enjoy the conversation! Show notes available at drchatterjee.com/53 Follow me on instagram.com/drchatterjee/ Follow me on facebook.com/DrChatterjee/ Follow me on twitter.com/drchatterjeeuk DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Uncovering the Real Causes of Depression with Johan Hari PART 2 #52

CAUTION ADVISED: this podcast contains swearing and themes of an adult nature. This week, I continue the conversation with the inspirational Johann Hari, who shares insights from his forty-thousand-mile journey across the world to interview the leading experts about what causes depression and anxiety, and what solves them. But it was not those experts that taught Johann the most, it was the incredible people of a Berlin district called Kotti – he shares the heart-warming story of how an unlikely community was borne out of desperation and the unbelievable transformations that occurred for the whole community as a result of it. We discuss how our isolated lives mean that our basic psychological needs are not being met and how this is impacting suicide rates, particularly for white males. We delve into how a dramatic change in societal ideals is leading to more unhappiness. Also, how people are turning to screens, social media and other addictions to fulfill their unmet needs. Finally, Johann shares some truly inspirational top tips. This really is a captivating and incredibly important conversation – I hope you enjoy it!  My new book, ‘The Stress Solution’ contains lots of practical solutions to help you with many of the issues discussed in this podcast. It is available to order on Amazon now. *Please note: this podcast contains swearing and themes of an adult nature. Show notes available at drchatterjee.com/52 Follow me on instagram.com/drchatterjee/ Follow me on facebook.com/DrChatterjee/ Follow me on twitter.com/drchatterjeeuk DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Uncovering the Real Causes of Depression with Johann Hari PART 1 #51

CAUTION ADVISED: this podcast contains swearing and themes of an adult nature. For the past few decades, almost every year, levels of depression and anxiety have increased in Britain and across the Western world. But why? One of the most important voices in this area, Johann Hari, went on a forty-thousand-mile journey across the world to interview the leading experts about what causes depression and anxiety, and what solves them. He shares the fascinating findings of his research in this week’s podcast. Johann explains that although we have been told a story that drugs are the solution to depression and anxiety, in many cases, the cause is not in our biology but in the way we live. He argues that being depressed or anxious does not mean that you are crazy, weak or broken, rather, that your natural psychological needs are not being met. And it’s hardly surprising - we are the loneliest society there has ever been. We discuss how loneliness affects us and how social prescribing can transform lives. We delve into the role trauma plays and how shame is both physically and emotionally destructive. Johann believes that societal values have been corrupted and explains the effect that this is having on our health. Finally, we talk about the role of the workplace and how having autonomy and choices can reduce the likelihood of depression and anxiety. This is a gripping conversation and Johann's anecdotes are truly captivating - I hope you enjoy it! Show notes available at drchatterjee.com/51 Follow me on instagram.com/drchatterjee/ Follow me on facebook.com/DrChatterjee/ Follow me on twitter.com/drchatterjeeuk DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

How Social Media Could Be Making You Ill with Cal Newport #50

How did this happen? We’re all living ultra-connected lives. In our pockets we have tiny technological miracles through which we can communicate, instantly, with anyone on the planet. Yet we are lonelier than ever before. Research has shown that levels of anxiety and depression have exploded, especially in the younger generation, who push time spent connected to the extreme. Professor of computer science and author on this subject, Cal Newport, explains why. We have evolved to be part of a mutually supportive human tribe, where being isolated, meant danger. As far as our brains are concerned, digital interactions do not play the same role as real conversations. Instead, they pull our time and attention away from real-world interactions and our brains react as if something is wrong. In addition, constant connection means that downtime is being eroded from our lives and we are losing the ability to just be. We discuss the concept of digital minimalism and how we all need to spend time doing what Cal calls, ‘high quality leisure activities’. Finally, Cal gives some brilliant tips on decluttering your digital world. This is a thought-provoking conversation – I hope you enjoy it! I cover these issues in my new book, ‘The Stress Solution’ and suggest simple ways in which we can all bring back real-life connection into our lives. Show notes available at drchatterjee.com/50 Follow me on instagram.com/drchatterjee/ Follow me on facebook.com/DrChatterjee/ Follow me on twitter.com/drchatterjeeuk DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

The Untapped Wellbeing Resource with Stephen Deuchar #49

“In a single glance through a picture, you can be transformed into another world” It’s no secret that we are facing unprecedented levels of anxiety. But what if there was a parallel world that offered us a different way of thinking about life? Director of the Art Fund, Stephen Deuchar, believes that museums and art galleries offer just that. He talks about the fascinating findings of a recent report that found that actively deciding to take time for cultural activities and pursuits can have a profound impact on our overall wellbeing.  Stephen believes that every human could be moved by a piece of art or culture and that there is something on offer for everyone. And it needn’t take hours – even a short visit will be beneficial. After talking to Stephen, I feel inspired to explore the rich diversity that is on offer. I hope you do too! Show notes available at drchatterjee.com/artfund Follow me on instagram.com/drchatterjee/ Follow me on facebook.com/DrChatterjee/ Follow me on twitter.com/drchatterjeeuk DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Eat Your Way to Better Energy with James Collins #48

“Our body is our own high-performance vehicle and our engine is our metabolism turning our food into energy.” Who doesn’t want to achieve their personal best – whether it’s at work, during an exercise class or playing with their children? Yet how many of us think about how we are fuelling our bodies to cope with the demands of the day? Elite sports nutritionist, James Collins, has worked with the likes of Arsenal FC, England Football and Team GB to ensure they are on peak form when it counts. He believes that there is too much focus on aesthetics and not enough on energy and how we use food to fuel our bodies. James discusses simple food principles that we can all follow to feel at our best in our daily lives. We also discuss how sleep and caffeine can affect performance. And, how we are all more capable than we think we are at any age. I hope you enjoy this conversation! Lack of energy is a common complaint that I see in my practice – I have therefore created a FREE energy video-series. You can sign-up to watch it on my website: drchatterjee.com/subscription/ Show notes available at drchatterjee.com/jamescollins Follow me on instagram.com/drchatterjee/ Follow me on facebook.com/DrChatterjee/ Follow me on twitter.com/drchatterjeeuk DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Making Movement Easier with Chris Boardman #46

“It’s not just about encouraging people to change, we have to enable them to.”   In Greater Manchester alone, inactivity-related illness is costing the NHS £500,000 a week. In fact, there are 250 million car journeys every year in Manchester that are less than one kilometre. And it’s not just Greater Manchester, the situation is the same across the UK.  I delve into the reasons behind this with former Olympic gold medallist, Chris Boardman in this week’s episode.  Chris, who is now cycling and walking commissioner for Greater Manchester, has a refreshing approach to empowering people to be the architects of their own health. He believes enabling people is key and explains how he is using this approach to build a high-quality, safe, dedicated cycling network across Greater Manchester. We also discuss how we can all build movement into our everyday lives and where to get started. Chris’s mission is really inspiring, I hope you enjoy hearing about it!  Show notes available at drchatterjee.com/cycling Follow me on instagram.com/drchatterjee/ Follow me on facebook.com/DrChatterjee/ Follow me on twitter.com/drchatterjeeuk DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Touch – The Forgotten Sense with Professor Francis McGlone #45

“Touch is not just a sentimental human indulgence, it’s a biological necessity”   Did you know that being touched is essential for healthy brain development? Yet with teachers, healthcare professionals and work colleagues being increasingly hesitant about social touching, for the first time in the evolution of human history, many of us are being exposed to less touch than ever before. But what effect is all this having on our emotional health? World-leading researcher Professor Francis McGlone explains the importance of touch for humans and the devastating consequences of not receiving it. The research in this area is mind-blowing and learning about it has changed the way I interact with my family. I hope you find this conversation useful. I dedicate a chapter of my new book ‘The Stress Solution’ to touch, which is available to order on Amazon now. Show notes available at drchatterjee.com/touch Follow me on instagram.com/drchatterjee/ Follow me on facebook.com/DrChatterjee/ Follow me on twitter.com/drchatterjeeuk DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

How to Grow New Brain Cells with Dr Sandrine Thuret #44

Can adults grow new neurons? Until relatively recently, experts believed the answer was no. But neuroscientist, Sandrine Thuret explains why she believes humans can indeed generate new brain cells, a process called neurogenesis.  She discusses the findings of the fascinating research in this area and gives practical advice on how we can help our brains better perform neurogenesis through our lifestyles- improving mood, increasing memory formation and preventing the decline associated with ageing along the way.  This is an empowering and eye-opening conversation – I hope you enjoy it! Show notes available at drchatterjee.com/sandrine Follow me on instagram.com/drchatterjee/ Follow me on facebook.com/DrChatterjee/ Follow me on twitter.com/drchatterjeeuk DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

The Training Secrets of the Hollywood Stars with David Higgins #43

"How I hold myself during the day impacts how I feel."   At this time of year, many of us are wanting to kick-start lifestyle change. But where do we start? Personal trainer to the Hollywood stars, David Higgins, shares his top tips on this week’s episode. David believes that no matter who you are, the issues and obstacles are the same.  We discuss how to bring about lasting behaviour change and create long term healthy habits. We delve into the problems of exercising with incorrect posture and the importance of breathing correctly. David explains how he empowers people to take control of their bodies and live fuller, healthier lives. I hope you find this conversation useful. Show notes available at drchatterjee.com/hollywood Follow me on instagram.com/drchatterjee/ Follow me on facebook.com/DrChatterjee/ Follow me on twitter.com/drchatterjeeuk DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Parkrun – A Celebration of Community with Nick Pearson #42

"Somewhere in peoples DNA is a desire for them to be part of a community" Parkrun began 14 years ago, with a simple concept: a free five-kilometre time-trial around Bushy Park, south west London. It was a low-key, unofficial affair with socialising at its heart. Now over 5 million people across 20 countries have registered for the event! But why has it become so popular? Nick Pearson, Chief Executive of Parkrun and guest on this week’s Feel Better, Live More podcast, explains why. He believes that community is a basic human need that has been squeezed out by our lifestyles. We all crave community and that is what Parkrun is all about. It is inclusive and it doesn’t matter whether you run, jog or walk – there is always someone behind you. Even if you can’t run, you can volunteer, which can be even more beneficial than running for your social wellbeing and confidence. In fact, because of its success in making movement accessible to all, the Royal College of General Practitioners has partnered with Parkrun to promote the wellbeing of its staff and patients.  Parkrun really is more than a health movement – it is a social movement that makes you feel part of your local community. It has transformed my weekends. If you haven’t already, I hope this podcast inspires you to give it a go! Show notes available at drchatterjee.com/parkrun Follow me on instagram.com/drchatterjee/ Follow me on facebook.com/DrChatterjee/ Follow me on twitter.com/drchatterjeeuk DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Stress - The Health Epidemic of the 21st Century with Dr Rangan Chatterjee #41

“We need to give our mental health the same care we give our physical health.” This week, I’m in the hot seat being interviewed by friend, fellow GP and lifestyle medicine advocate, Dr Ayan Panja. We talk about the whirlwind of the last year and how those experiences have shaped me. After the huge success of my first book, The 4 Pillar Plan, it became clear to me that the area that people struggle with the most, myself included, is relaxing. In fact, The World Health Organisation have named stress as the health epidemic of the 21st Century. Indeed, one study found that 80-90% of what GPs see is in some way related to stress. Ayan and I discuss why stress has become such an issue and why it can be so damaging to our health. But what can we do about it? I talk about the areas covered in my new book, The Stress Solution, which is full of simple, practical tools that you can apply in your lives. I also share my top tips for reducing stress, from having a golden hour every morning without your phone to prioritising your relationships. I hope you find this conversation useful! You can pre-order the book on Amazon now. Show notes available at drchatterjee.com/stress Follow me on instagram.com/drchatterjee/ Follow me on facebook.com/DrChatterjee/ Follow me on twitter.com/drchatterjeeuk DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Healing IBS and Gut Health with Jeannette Hyde #40

Are you struggling with IBS or some aspect of your gut health? Right now, IBS affects almost 20% of the UK population at some point in their lives and it can be a major cause of distress and disability for the people who suffer from it. This week, I talk to nutritional therapist and author, Jeannette Hyde, about some of the common problems that she sees in her practice. She shares simple tips for treating these, improving symptoms of IBS and manipulating our microbiome - from time restricted eating to the foods that can help (and hinder) our gut health. Jeannette explains why she steers clear of the FODMAP diet for her clients and how personalisation is key when it comes to finding a diet and lifestyle that works for us. Jeannette and I also discuss alcohol consumption, something that is often overlooked or underestimated when we take a look at our lifestyles. But gut health isn’t all about what we eat. We discuss how stress and other factors can also play a huge role. This conversation is full of great tips and I hope you find that it helps you! Show notes available at drchatterjee.com/gutmakeover Follow me on instagram.com/drchatterjee/ Follow me on facebook.com/DrChatterjee/ Follow me on twitter.com/drchatterjeeuk DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

How to Stay Pain Free with The Foot Collective #39

Have you ever thought about how important our feet are? And how they're connected to so many other parts of our bodies? This week's podcast is with Nick and Mike from ‘The Foot Collective’, a group of Canadian physical therapists on a mission to help humans reclaim strong, functional and pain-free feet through foot health education. The feet are an often neglected part of our body. If you’re experiencing hip, knee or back pain, your feet may be the cause. Nick and Mike explain that although there are many ailments that many of us just write off as something that we just have, or that we've inherited, in actual fact, there may be something we can do to improve these conditions. The truth is, that while we might have a genetic susceptibility, our environment and our lifestyles also determine what happens to our bodies. In our modern lives, we create an imbalance in our bodies by sitting too much and this can expose us to risk of injury. The Foot Collective give some brilliant tips on what we can do to avoid this. We also discuss orthotics and the damaging effects of wearing narrow shoes which squash our feet and talk about how we can help restore our feet to their natural state. After experiencing back pain for years, I found working on my feet made a huge difference. I hope you find this podcast helps you! Show notes available at drchatterjee.com/footcollective Follow me on instagram.com/drchatterjee/ Follow me on facebook.com/DrChatterjee/ Follow me on twitter.com/drchatterjeeuk DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

The Power of Community with The Happy Pear #38

“The most important thing is love and that starts with yourself”   Once beer-swilling rugby players, my guests on this week’s episode are identical twins Stephen and David, who now make up The Happy Pear. They share their incredible journey into healthy vegan living and talk about their desire to start a health food revolution – with the goal of making healthy food and lifestyle mainstream. It all started with a small humble vegetable shop and they now own a chain of natural food shops and cafés in Ireland as well as having their own plant-based food range in the UK. But for The Happy Pear, the cafés were also about creating a community around them, something which they have achieved in a truly inspiring way. We talk about how fundamental community is to our happiness and health. Their story is captivating and their energy is almost tangible. It’s impossible not to feel uplifted, positive and happy in their company – I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did! Show notes available at drchatterjee.com/happypear Follow me on instagram.com/drchatterjee/ Follow me on facebook.com/DrChatterjee/ Follow me on twitter.com/drchatterjeeuk DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

How Our Childhood Shapes Every Aspect of Our Health with Dr. Gabor Maté #37

“We live in a society that generates addiction in most of its members.”   This week, I talk to renowned addiction expert, physician and best-selling author, Dr. Gabor Maté. He calls for a compassionate approach toward addiction, whether in ourselves or in others. Dr Maté believes addiction is not a choice, neither is it all about drugs and illicit substances. Instead, he believes that addiction affects most of us – whether it be to alcohol, nicotine, sugar, work or exercise…the list is endless. According to Dr Maté, the source of addiction is not to be found in our genes but in our early childhood.   We also talk about how our emotional stress translates into physical chronic illnesses and how we now live in a culture that doesn’t meet our human needs. Indeed, the conditions necessary for healthy child development are increasingly under threat in today’s society. Loneliness and lack of meaningful connection are on the rise, as are the rates of autoimmune disease and addiction. We discuss how the way we live our modern lives is impacting us more than we realise.   It was a real honour to sit down and talk eye-to-eye with Gabor about his truly revolutionary work. This was a deep and powerful conversation and I hope it helps you in your lives. Show notes available at https://drchatterjee.com/37 Follow me on instagram.com/drchatterjee/ Follow me on facebook.com/DrChatterjee/ Follow me on twitter.com/drchatterjeeuk DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

The Truth About Plastic: Why We Should All Care with Will McCallum #36

“I do have real fears about whether or not the toxicity will increase to dangerous levels” The statistics are devastating. Plastic has increased twenty-fold over the past 50 years and will double again in the next 10 years. Already present in the stomachs of nearly all the world’s marine birds, by 2050 plastics in the ocean may outweigh fish, covering large swaths of the Pacific in floating garbage slicks. But what effect does this plastic have? When ingested by big fish, like whales and seals, it lowers their immune system, lowers their ability to reproduce and even sends them mad. There is little research relating to its effects on human health but there are some papers about BPA and its possible impact on male fertility. Whilst much more robust research is needed in this area, how long are we willing to wait before we take action? This week, I talk to campaigner and Head of Oceans at Greenpeace, Will McCallum, about what effect single-use plastic (any plastic you use once and then throw away) is having on our planet and what we can do to stop it. Shockingly, even if you throw your coffee cup in the recycling bin, the chances are, it still won’t be recycled and may end up in the ocean. The same is true of the 35 million plastic bottles we use in the UK every day. Although the statistics may sound gloomy, small policy change can make a big difference. Now more than ever before, we have access to the people in power via social media and are able to ask for real change and we will be heard. We also discuss how environmental health and human health are inseparable and how the current state of the environment is a reflection of our always on the go, highly stressed lifestyles. Will shares some brilliant ways we can all make a difference including buying a reusable coffee cup, water bottle and bag as well as saying no to straws. This is an essential and empowering conversation – I hope you enjoy it!  Show notes available at https://drchatterjee.com/36 Follow me on instagram.com/drchatterjee/ Follow me on facebook.com/DrChatterjee/ Follow me on twitter.com/drchatterjeeuk DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Why Depression Isn’t All In The Mind with Professor Edward Bullmore #35

“There is no family in the country that’s going to be untouched by depression”   Worldwide, depression will be the single biggest cause of disability in the next 20 years. But treatment for it has not changed much in the last three decades.  In the world of psychiatry time has apparently stood still.  Up until now, depression has not been considered to be a physical illness but rather something that is all in the mind. In this week’s episode, I talk to world-leading researcher, Professor of Psychiatry and author, Edward Bullmore, about the new science on the link between depression and inflammation of the body and brain. We delve into how and why we now know that mental disorders can have their root cause in the immune system and how identifying the root cause in each individual patient would lead to more effective targeted treatment.   Professor Bullmore explains that stress is probably the biggest risk factor for depression and we talk about how lifestyle can be used to combat it. I hope you enjoy the conversation!  My upcoming book 'The Stress Solution' is full of actionable tips to help you live a calmer, happier life. You can pre-order it on Amazon. Show notes available at https://drchatterjee.com/35 Follow me on instagram.com/drchatterjee/ Follow me on facebook.com/DrChatterjee/ Follow me on twitter.com/drchatterjeeuk DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Why Being Popular Isn’t All It’s Cracked Up To Be with Professor Mitch Prinstein #34

“We are biologically programmed to care what others think of us” Who doesn't want to be more popular? Leading psychologist, Professor Mitch Prinstein explains why perhaps we should be careful what we wish for… More than childhood intelligence, family background, or prior psychological issues, research indicates that it’s how popular we were in our early years that predicts how successful and how happy we grow up to be. But it’s not always the conventionally popular people who fare the best, for the simple reason that there is more than one type of popularity: the first based on status and the second based on likeability. Although we are hardwired to crave status, research indicates that this type of popularity hurts us more than we realise. In fact, research shows that people who were popular in high school were more likely to suffer from addictions, problems in relationships and had a higher risk of depression, anxiety and loneliness in later life. We discuss how popularity taps into our basic need to survive and examine the surprising links to our health and lifespan, offering important insights for all of us about how we can cultivate the right kind of popularity. This conversation is more relevant today than ever before. In a world that pushes us to pursue power, and click our way to online status, it has become too easy to be lured towards a type of popularity that can harm us, and our children. This is a truly eye-opening conversation – I hope you enjoy it! My upcoming book 'The Stress Solution' covers these topics in detail. You can pre-order it on Amazon. Show notes available at https://drchatterjee.com/34 Follow me on instagram.com/drchatterjee/ Follow me on facebook.com/DrChatterjee/ Follow me on twitter.com/drchatterjeeuk DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

The Gut-Brain Connection and Why Diversity is Key with Miguel Toribio-Mateas #33

“Nutrition doesn’t need to be super-expensive, it can be cheap and cheerful but also very nutritious and wholesome.”   Our everyday food choices affect not only our gut health but also our brain health.  But how exactly does this work?  Nutritionist and clinical neuroscientist, Miguel Mateas explains it all, including the role of pre and probiotics. We discuss how long-term stress affects the gut and how eating a colourful diverse diet is so important for our overall health.  Miguel believes that diversity is important, not only with what we put into our mouths, but in all aspects of our lives – from our thoughts to our experiences.  He talks about the amazing benefits of olive oil and how to choose the best quality.  Miguel is witty and jolly as ever – I really enjoyed this conversation and hope you do too! My upcoming book, ‘The Stress Solution’ covers the gut-brain connection in great detail.  You can pre-order it on Amazon. Show notes available at https://drchatterjee.com/33https://drchatterjee.com/33 Follow me on instagram.com/drchatterjee/ Follow me on facebook.com/DrChatterjee/ Follow me on twitter.com/drchatterjeeuk DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

The Science of Happiness with Meik Wiking #32

“Globally we are richer than ever before, but we fail to convert that wealth into wellbeing”   Meik Wiking, author of best-selling book Hygge, understands happiness better than anyone. In his role as Founder and CEO of the world's only Happiness Research Institute, he has travelled the globe interviewing the world's happiest people to discover the key components of happiness. In this episode, we explore the fascinating findings of his research and uncover what we can learn from the world’s happiest countries.   We talk about the impact of stress on our happiness and how although we are richer than ever before, we have failed to convert that wealth into wellbeing. It seems that despite all our cultural differences, we as a human race have a very similar view of happiness across the world. Meik and I discuss how one of the most important components of a happy life is meaning and purpose and how this has been gradually eroded from our lives.   This is an eye-opening and fascinating conversation – I hope you enjoy it. My upcoming book, ‘The Stress Solution’ covers meaning and purpose in great detail.  You can pre-order it on Amazon. Show notes available at https://drchatterjee.com/32 Follow me on instagram.com/drchatterjee/ Follow me on facebook.com/DrChatterjee/ Follow me on twitter.com/drchatterjeeuk DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Born to Run with Vassos Alexander #31

“Try it, you will not regret it” Do you think running is just not for you?  I think it will be hard not to want to give it a go after listening to this week’s podcast with BBC Radio 2 sports presenter, podcast host, author and self-confessed running addict, Vassos Alexander. Formerly unfit and out of shape, Vassos has now run the Spartathlon – a 153 mile ultramarathon race held annually in Greece.  He shares his journey and gives a fascinating insight into the history behind this event. Vassos believes that it doesn’t matter how far you run or how fast, it is just about getting out there and giving it ago.  And the benefits speak for themselves – he considers running a form of therapy.   This is a lively and engaging conversation and Vassos’s passion for running is palpable – I hope it inspires you! Show notes available at https://drchatterjee.com/31 Follow me on instagram.com/drchatterjee/ Follow me on facebook.com/DrChatterjee/ Follow me on twitter.com/drchatterjeeuk DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Mindfulness Instead of Medication with Danny Penman #30

“Mindfulness has been proven to be at least as good as antidepressants”   What is mindfulness? And what really are the benefits? Author and expert in mindfulness and meditation, Dr Danny Penman explains it all.  We discuss how numerous clinical trials have proven that mindfulness is as good as medication for depression and in some cases, even better.  We also talk about how effective mindfulness breathing can be for pain control and many other conditions. Danny explains how rather than consuming time, practising meditation or mindfulness actually frees up more time. Stress can permeate every aspect of our lives and every organ in our bodies.  Setting aside just 10-20 minutes a day and focusing on our breathing can have a really profound long-term effect on our bodies and minds.   For those of you who aren’t sure where to start – Danny talks us through a simple breathing mindfulness exercise.  Finally, he gives some brilliant tips on how we can incorporate mindfulness into our everyday lives.  I hope that this helps you in your lives and that you enjoy listening. Show notes available at https://drchatterjee.com/30 Follow me on instagram.com/drchatterjee/ Follow me on facebook.com/DrChatterjee/ Follow me on twitter.com/drchatterjeeuk DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Amelia Freer on What We Need to Eat #29

“Everyone is focusing on what to avoid, no one is focusing on what we need to eat” Nutritionist and best-selling author Amelia Freer has a refreshingly fluid and flexible approach to healthy eating. She believes that we should shift the focus away from what we shouldn’t eat, which can be damaging and focus instead on what we can eat.   Amelia and I discuss her positive nutrition pyramid, which provides a framework of what she believes you should be working towards eating every day.  We delve into how emotional issues can affect the food choices that we make and discuss her own personal journey into the world of nutrition.   Amelia also shares some fantastic tips.  I really hope you enjoy listening! Show notes available at https://drchatterjee.com/29 Follow me on instagram.com/drchatterjee/ Follow me on facebook.com/DrChatterjee/ Follow me on twitter.com/drchatterjeeuk DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Rich Roll on How to Find Your Purpose #28

“Put yourself in an unbelievably uncomfortable frightening situation that you don’t have to and you’ll soon find out what you’re about.” Have you figured out what your ‘why’ is?  Are you struggling to find the time to discover what you want from life? My guest on this week’s podcast is inspirational plant-powered wellness advocate, best-selling author and podcast host, Rich Roll.  He shares his incredible story of complete transformation from unhealthy, overweight alcoholic lawyer to ultra-endurance athlete, who has been hailed “fittest vegan on the planet”. We talk about how finding out who you are and what your purpose is, has a positive impact on every aspect of your life. Rich gives some brilliant tips on how to achieve this.  This is an honest, deep and enthralling conversation – I hope you enjoy it! My upcoming book, ‘The Stress Solution’ covers purpose in great detail.  You can pre-order it on Amazon. Show notes available at https://drchatterjee.com/28 Follow me on instagram.com/drchatterjee/ Follow me on facebook.com/DrChatterjee/ Follow me on twitter.com/drchatterjeeuk DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Why We Sleep with Matthew Walker PART 2 #27

Dr Chatterjee talks to world-leading sleep researcher, author of the international best-selling book Why We Sleep and Professor of Neuroscience and Psychology at the University of California, Matthew Walker.  They discuss everything you ever needed to know about sleep in this 2-Part interview.  In Part 2 they discuss how sleep affects every aspect of our health – how sleep deprivation can affect our blood sugar levels, increase our risk of heart attack and impact our mental health. They discuss alcohol’s impact on sleep and the staggering financial costs associated with lost sleep. Finally, Matthew provides his top tips for optimising your sleep. Show notes available at https://drchatterjee.com/27 Follow me on instagram.com/drchatterjee/ Follow me on facebook.com/DrChatterjee/ Follow me on twitter.com/drchatterjeeuk DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Why We Sleep with Matthew Walker PART 1 #26

Dr Chatterjee talks to world-leading sleep researcher, author of the international best-selling book Why We Sleep and Professor of Neuroscience and Psychology at the University of California, Matthew Walker. They discuss everything you ever needed to know about sleep in this 2-Part interview.  In Part 1, they discuss brilliant tips to combat jet lag, explain how sleep can enhance athletic performance and decrease risk of injury and reveal just how much caffeine consumption can impact sleep.  Finally, they explore the reasons behind the current global sleep-loss epidemic and the effect that this is having on our health.  Show notes available at: https://drchatterjee.com/26 Follow me on instagram.com/drchatterjee/ Follow me on facebook.com/DrChatterjee/ Follow me on twitter.com/drchatterjeeuk DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.