Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis: Ten “Food Rules” for People Living with IBD
"Every patient with IBD asks about food — they deserve evidence-based answers".In this final episode of Season One, I’m diving into the conditions that first sparked my passion for gut health more than 20 years ago — Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, collectively known as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).As a Consultant Gastroenterologist, I work with people living with IBD every day. And I’ve learned that one of the most common — questions that patients ask is deceptively simple: What should I eat?In this episode, I unpack what the science actually says about food and IBD. I explore:How diet and lifestyle — not just genetics — play a major role in IBD development and progressionThe foods and dietary patterns that are associated with lower inflammation and better outcomesThe research that’s convinced me every person with IBD deserves education and support around dietThe 10 food rules I share with my patients living with Crohn’s and colitisThe evidence behind plant-based diets, Mediterranean diets, and specific dietary patterns for IBDWhat the latest clinical guidelines from the US, Europe, and UK are — and aren’t — saying about dietI also share the resources I recommend most often in clinic to help people with IBD take action and build an evidence-based dietary pattern to help maximise their gut health and overall well-being.If you’re are interested in learning exactly how diet effects gut health and overall wellbeing - especially if you or a loved one is living with ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease - this episode is for you!Resources I mention in this episode:You can download the full slide deck I used while preparing this episode — complete with citations and references — at www.alandesmond.com/ibdCanada’s Food GuideThe Plant-Based Crohn’s and Colitis Cookbook by Helena Rose MurphyNutritional Therapy for IBDCase report and review of the evidence published by Dr Alan Desmond with Dr Neal Barnard and colleagues.Updates and tickets to live podcast recordings: Join the mailing list Connect with Dr Alan Desmond Instagram Threads X/Twitter Sponsored by Linwoods Healthfoods. Shop their entire range at linwoodshealthfoods.com and use code DESMOND for a 15% saving and free delivery.
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Secrets of the World’s Longest-Lived and Happiest People — with Blue Zones Expert Dan Buettner
'Longevity isn’t just extra years — it’s extra good years. The longer you live in a Blue Zone, the fewer unhealthy years you endure'Today's conversation is with explorer, author, and National Geographic Fellow Dan Buettner, the man who brought us the concept of the Blue Zones — those remarkable places where people live longer, healthier lives than almost anywhere else on Earth.In this conversation, you’ll hear why a long life is more about your environment than your willpower, how food, purpose, movement, and community shape your health, and why changing your surroundings works better than relying on motivation alone. And of course, we touch on a few fun extras — including the truth about coffee in the Blue Zones.We share a few laughs, discuss the role of a Blue Zones microbiome science and more: The 5 pillars of every Blue Zone dietWhy living longer also means living healthierHow purpose and social connection add years to your lifeWhy diets fail but environments succeedSimple, powerful lifestyle shifts you can make todayBooks by Dan Buettner:The Blue Zones Kitchen: 100 Recipes to Live to 100The Blue Zones Challenge: A 4-Week Plan for a Longer, Better LifeLearn more at: www.bluezones.comFollow Dan on Instagram: @danbuettnerUpdates and tickets to live podcast recordings: Join the mailing list Connect with Dr Alan Desmond Instagram Threads X/Twitter Sponsored by Linwoods Healthfoods. Shop their entire range at linwoodshealthfoods.com and use code DESMOND for a 15% saving and free delivery.
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The Diet and Lifestyle Habits that Prevent Dementia - with Doctors Dean & Ayesha Sherzai.
'Dementia is not inevitable. We can live a cognitively vibrant life by focusing on our lifestyle- especially food'.Today’s guests are Dr Dean Sherzai and Dr Ayesha Sherzai — an inspiring husband-and-wife team — neurologists, researchers, and authors who have dedicated their careers to preventing Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia through evidence-based lifestyle change.Today, over 55 million people live with dementia worldwide, and that number is expected to triple by 2050. But the Sherzai's are here with a powerful message: Dementia is not inevitable. Most cases can be prevented through evidence-based diet and lifestyle practices. And it's never too early to begin planning for a memorable life.In this episode, they share practical insights on how to protect your brain health, what they’ve learned working in Loma Linda — America’s only true Blue Zone — and the simple steps we can all take to improve our cognitive health today.Connect with Dean and Ayesha online: Instagram, YouTube, and explore their free resources at thebraindocs.com. Grab a copy of Dean and Ayesha’s extraordinary books: The Alzheimer’s Solution and The 30-Day Alzheimer’s Solution — packed with practical guidance, inspiring science, and delicious recipes to support your brain health. Updates and tickets to live podcast recordings: Join the mailing list Connect with Dr Alan Desmond Instagram Threads X/Twitter Sponsored by Linwoods Healthfoods. Shop their entire range at linwoodshealthfoods.com and use code DESMOND for a 15% saving and free delivery.
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From Popstar Fame to Plant Power - A Journey of Resilience, Sobriety & Self-Discovery with Suzanne Shaw
‘Our very first gig as a pop band was the Brit Awards — the entire music industry booed us. It was terrifying. I was 19 years old.’In this powerful and deeply honest episode, I’m joined by actor, singer, and mental health advocate Suzanne Shaw.Suzanne first rose to fame in 2001 as a member of Hear’Say, the pop group formed through the reality TV show Popstars.Suzanne shares her extraordinary story - from the highs of early success to the lows of burnout, public scrutiny, postnatal depression, grief, and alcohol dependency. In a candid and wide-ranging conversation, Suzanne talks about:How early fame impacted her mental healthBecoming a single mum while performing in the West EndHer decision to quit alcohol and reclaim her confidenceGoing plant-based and discovering the joy of ultra-runningThe tools she uses daily to stay grounded and wellHer mission to help others through the Dare to Succeed communityNow five years sober, thriving on a plant-based lifestyle, and running ultra-marathons, Suzanne is a shining example of resilience, transformation, and purpose. This is one of our most moving and inspiring episodes to date - and the only episode that will feature an encounter with Sir Elton John.Connect with Suzanne: Instagram Tik Tok LinkedInJoin Suzanne's Dare To Succeed Community: suzanneshawofficial.co.ukUpdates and tickets to live podcast recordings: Join the mailing list Connect with Dr Alan Desmond Instagram Threads X/Twitter Sponsored by Linwoods Healthfoods. Shop their entire range at linwoodshealthfoods.com and use code DESMOND for a 15% saving and free delivery.
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The Strategies You Need to Move Beyond IBS and Food Intolerances - with Dr. Will Bulsiewicz
"Our healthcare system has failed to give people with food intolerances the help they deserve." Today, I’m joined by my friend and colleague Dr. Will Bulsiewicz—better known as Dr. B, The Gut Health MD, board-certified Gastroenterologist, bestselling author of Fiber Fueled and The Fiber Fueled Cookbook, and U.S. Medical Director of the personalized nutrition company ZOE.Together, we dive deep into the misunderstood world of IBS, food intolerances, and how to reclaim your gut health—drawing on years of clinical experience and a shared passion for evidence-based, plant-powered healing.We discuss:Why traditional healthcare often fails people living with IBS and food-related intolerancesHow frustrated patients can finally break through and make lasting progressWhy adopting a plant-based diet can feel challengingThe G.R.O.W.T.H. strategy—Dr. B’s step-by-step, science-backed framework for rebuilding food toleranceHow Dr. B stays consistent with his own Fiber Fueled lifestyle, even when life gets hecticThis episode is full of practical tips, clinical insights, and real talk from two gastroenterologists who believe in the healing power of the food on our plates.Whether you’re navigating IBS yourself, supporting someone who is, or just want to better understand your gut—this conversation is for you.Buy The Fiber Fueled Cookbook by Dr. Will Bulsiewicz: Amazon UK | Amazon USConnect with Dr. Will Bulsiewicz on Instagram: @theguthealthmdUpdates and tickets to live podcast recordings: Join the mailing list Connect with Dr Alan Desmond Instagram Threads X/Twitter Sponsored by Linwoods Healthfoods. Shop their entire range at linwoodshealthfoods.com and use code DESMOND for a 15% saving and free delivery.
Whether you're curious about healthy eating, the science behind nutrition and gut health, or how to live a happier and more fulfilling life, the Eat This Podcast with Dr Alan Desmond will inspire you with evidence-based insights and real-life stories.In each episode, gut health specialist and bestselling author Dr. Alan Desmond interviews doctors, dieticians, researchers and public figures, sharing expert advice on how to eat and live for optimal health and happiness. Tune in for positive conversations about the food we eat and the lives we lead.