#LIFI24 – Trust Your Gut

With a firm belief that it’s what’s on the inside that counts, Tim Spector’s approach to nutrition has changed the way thousands of people think about food and health.

From how to nurture the living garden in your gut to why we should all be eating at least 30 different plants per week, prepare for a positive and practical exploration of how to live and feel better – and how it all starts with that all-important microbiome.

Panellists: Dr Amir Khan and Tim Spector OBE

“The most important choice we make everyday for our future health is what we eat.” A fascinating discussion from Professor Tim Spector highlighted key changes that can be made to help our gut health.

•  Despite the UK’s terrible food culture, it is optimistically flexible. “We need government help to make a difference in the most deprived areas in order to fight food companies.”
• “Cutting down on your meat intake is not only good for your health but also the most important thing you can do for the planet.”
• “Flexibility with your meal times allows your gut time to recover. Overnight fasting for 14 hours or more is good for your gut microbiome and your immune system.”
• Tim shocked us when he revealed that things we regard as healthy, like orange juice, vitamins, and brown bread, are in fact not. “Most brown bread is just dyed. it has huge amounts of sugar and very little fibre. It is hard to find good bread out there.”
• “There is nothing worse than the meal deal!”
• 4 out of 5 people will fail a calorie restrictive diet within 2 years. The way to reach a healthy weight is through changing the quality of what you eat. “Moving away from ultra-processed foods will adjust your hunger signals and help you lose weight.”

Related Books:

Food For Life: The New Science of Eating Well – Tim Spector

Food is our greatest ally for good health, but the question of what to eat in the age of ultra-processed food has never seemed so complicated. Bestselling author and scientist Tim Spector offers clear answers in this definitive, easy-to-follow guide to the new science of eating well.

Tim Spector has pioneered a new approach to nutrition, encouraging us to forget misleading calorie counts and nutritional breakdowns. In Food for Life he draws on over a decade of cutting-edge scientific research, along with his own personal insights, to deliver a new and comprehensive approach to what we should all know about food today.

Investigating everything from environmental impact and food fraud to allergies, ultra-processed food and deceptive labelling, Spector also shows us the many wondrous and surprising properties of everyday foods, which scientists are only just beginning to understand.

Available here

Genius Gut – Dr Emily Leeming

Tired and down? Bloated? Can’t focus?

This is your gut talking to your brain – and it is time you started listening. Unlock the secrets of your second brain and the way your gut bacteria not only impact your digestion, but can uplift your mood and sharpen your thinking.
Leading microbiome scientist Dr Emily Leeming expertly guides you through the latest science behind your gut-brain connection, giving you 10 simple yet powerful gut-brain hacks on how to:

• Feel happy and energised
• Beat cravings
• Eat smart
• Boost brain performance

without giving up the foods you love! No calorie counting. More flavour. Trillions of good bacteria.

Dr Emily Leeming is a registered dietitian and Research Fellow at King’s College London. Before her career in science, she was a private chef. Through years of experience and research, she has developed a specialised approach to nutrition, bringing clinical gut-health expertise from the lab to the plate.

Available here

Related Podcasts:

PLANTSTRONG – Rip Esselstyn

The mission of PLANTSTRONG is to further the advancement of all things within the plant-based movement. We advocate for the scientifically proven benefits of plant-based living and envision a world that universally understands, promotes, and prescribes plants as the solution to empowering your health, enhancing your performance, and restoring the environment.
We welcome and support you wherever you are on your PLANTSTRONG journey and we hope you enjoy the show.

Available here

The Gutology Podcast – Gutology

The Gutology project is on a mission to help you optimise your gut. Join our gut health experts and award winning podcaster Ollie Gallant for a fascinating journey into your digestive system. We bring the science behind gut health and deliver it in ‘digestible’ chunks. This will change the way you think about your health forever. 

Available here

Further Help:

• Digestive Health – NHS
• Signs of an Unhealthy Gut and what to do
• The Best Foods for a Healthier Gut and Heart
• Guts UK
• Love Your Gut

Watch:

• Your Gut Microbiome: The Most Important Organ You’ve Never Heard Of
• Do Gut Microbiomes Control Your Personality
• How the Microbiome Talks to our Cells
• Eat Yourself Healthy – Your Microbiome and You
• How the Food You Eat Affects Your Gut