Real Health and Weight Loss Podcast

Do you keep getting UTIs, and wonder if it's something you're doing wrong? In this episode, Dr Lucy and Dr Mary bust the biggest myth about urinary tract infections: recurrent UTIs are not a hygiene problem. They explain why women are so much more prone to UTIs than men, and how genetics, the vaginal microbiome and the drop in oestrogen in perimenopause and menopause all play a part. They bring a metabolic lens too, looking at why high blood glucose and SGLT2 inhibitor medications make UTIs more likely. Then they turn to prevention. Dr Lucy shares why vaginal oestrogen is her number one recommendation, including a large recent study linking it with lower rates of sepsis in women of all ages, and Dr Mary explains why oral and transdermal oestrogen don't do the same job. They finish with the evidence on drinking water, emptying your bladder properly, cranberry products and a non-antibiotic option to ask your doctor about.

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

Episode, show notes & transcript: www.rlmedicine.com/why-do-women-get-recurrent-utis-and-how-to-prevent-them
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.