Real Health and Weight Loss Podcast

Are your gums and your metabolism talking to each other? In this episode, Dr Lucy and Dr Mary explore the two-way link between insulin resistance and gum disease, a topic sparked by a question from a My Metabolic Action Plan coaching call. They explain the difference between gingivitis and periodontitis, what the biofilm on your teeth actually is, and how insulin resistance differs from type 2 diabetes. Dr Mary shares a 2018 study of 870 adults without diabetes, which found those with the highest insulin resistance went on to have more gum inflammation over three years. The doctors discuss how inflammation in the gums may spread through the body and interfere with insulin signalling, and why high blood sugar can damage the tissues in your mouth. They finish with practical, shame-free ways to make brushing and flossing easier, including an elastic band reminder and a well-timed HRT routine. Good oral health, it turns out, is also an inside job.

For more information about Real Life Medicine and our programs and special offers: www.rlmedicine.com

Episode, show notes & transcript: www.rlmedicine.com/how-are-insulin-resistance-and-gum-disease-linked
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Does working night shift harm your metabolic health, and what can you do about it? Dr Lucy and Dr Mary unpack how night shift pulls the body out of step with its circadian rhythm, and why that matters for blood sugar, insulin resistance and long-term health. They explain the brain's master clock, the clock genes in your liver, pancreas and muscle, and how shift work is linked to telomere shortening and a higher risk of type 2 diabetes. They're also clear that these effects aren't about willpower. Then they turn to what's in your control: packing protein-rich food instead of overnight junk food picnics, keeping meal timing as close to normal as you can, saving caffeine for early in the shift, protecting your daytime sleep, using naps and choosing gentle exercise before bed. Along the way there's hay fever, a ryegrass mystery and a possum on the day shift. If you work nights, or love someone who does, this one's for you.
For more information about Real Life Medicine and our programs and special offers: www.rlmedicine.com
Episode, show notes & transcript: www.rlmedicine.com/how-does-night-shift-affect-your-health
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If your body feels different after menopause, even though you’re eating well and moving more, you are not broken. In this episode, Dr Lucy and Dr Mary explore why midlife metabolic health can change, why weight may settle around the middle, and what you can do to work with your body rather than fight against it.
They unpack the difference between subcutaneous fat and visceral fat, and explain how changing oestrogen, insulin, cortisol, sleep, stress, and muscle mass can influence metabolic health after menopause. You’ll also hear why the aim isn’t to chase a particular body shape or fear ageing, but to build the foundations that support health, strength, energy, and independence through your later years.
Dr Lucy and Dr Mary share their six S’s for a healthier metabolic future: sustenance, sleep, stress management, strength and movement, sunlight, and social connection. Whether you’re preparing for menopause, in the thick of it, or post-menopausal, this is a reassuring, practical conversation to help you focus on the levers that may make a meaningful difference, one small step at a time.
For more information about Real Life Medicine and our programs and special offers: https://www.rlmedicine.com/
Episode, show notes & transcript
https://www.rlmedicine.com/why-weight-loss-gets-so-much-harder-in-your-50s
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Could low carbohydrate eating support metabolic health beyond weight loss alone? In this episode, Dr Lucy and Dr Mary unpack two recent studies exploring low carb eating, pre-diabetes, fatty liver, weight regain, genetics, and the often-underestimated role of sleep.
They explain why one tightly controlled study found different metabolic changes across low carbohydrate, Mediterranean, and whole-food plant-based approaches, even when participants lost similar amounts of weight. You’ll hear why the quality of nutrition research matters, what a bell curve can teach us about individual responses, and why there is no single approach that works for every person.
Dr Lucy and Dr Mary also explore the real-life factors that can make maintaining changes harder, including family history and poor sleep. This is a thoughtful, evidence-informed conversation about using research as a guide, without turning it into dogma. You’ll come away with a clearer understanding of why low carb may be a helpful foundation for many people with insulin resistance, and why adapting the approach to your own body and circumstances matters.
For more information about Real Life Medicine and our programs and special offers: https://www.rlmedicine.com/
Episode, show notes & transcript
https://www.rlmedicine.com/what-is-the-best-diet-for-metabolic-health
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What if healthier choices did not have to rely on willpower? In this episode, Dr Lucy and Dr Mary explore how habits, friction, and your everyday environment can make supportive choices feel easier, even when life is busy and you are tired.
They unpack what a habit really is, why convenience can sometimes work against your health goals, and how visual cues can lead you to the cupboard for food you didn't even plan to eat. You will hear practical, real-life ways to reduce decision fatigue, make nourishing meals more accessible, and create a kitchen that supports you rather than constantly tests you.
From salad bags, air fryers, and freezer meals to rethinking the nightly drink, this is not about being perfectly organised or relying on endless discipline. It is about small preparations that can be a gift to your future self. Listen now for simple ideas to make the helpful choice the easy, obvious choice, one ordinary day at a time.
For more information about Real Life Medicine and our programs and special offers: https://www.rlmedicine.com/
Episode, show notes & transcript
https://www.rlmedicine.com/how-to-make-healthy-eating-automatic
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.