Are you truly allergic to dairy or just intolerant? Can headaches, joint pain or fatigue be signs of hidden allergies? And what about those online food intolerance tests? Can you trust them?

In this episode, Dr Helen brings clarity and evidence to the confusing world of food allergies, intolerances and sensitivities.

We cover:

• 🧠 Whether allergies can show up as migraines, fatigue, gut issues or mood changes
• 🔬 Why allergy rates are rising
• 🧪 The truth about IgG testing and other common myths
• 🥜 Whether it’s safe to give babies peanut or egg before age one, and why early exposure matters
• 💬 How to approach elimination diets and reintroductions safely
• ❤️ The emotional toll on families and where to find support

We also explore rising allergy rates, the hygiene hypothesis, environmental triggers including plant-based proteins, and what is actually working in clinics today, such as immunotherapy and support networks.

If you or someone you love is navigating the food allergy maze, this episode is full of practical and science-based insights.

Dr Helen Evans Howells is a GP with a Master's in Allergy with distinction from the University of Southampton. She trained and worked with the hospital’s allergy team for over four years. She now runs a specialist allergy clinic offering food immunotherapy for children and lectures widely across the UK and internationally. Dr Helen is a trustee of Anaphylaxis UK, Chair of its Clinical and Scientific Panel and former Chair of the Primary Care Group at the British Society of Allergy.

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Have you ever wondered if some people simply have a fast metabolism? You know the kind of people that seem to be able to eat anything and still maintain a healthy weight? Does your metabolism slow as you age? What about the effect of the menopause? And are intermittent fasting and certain supplements evidence based ways to speed up your metabolism?

These are the questions I put to Dr Adam Collins, researcher at University of Surrey where I completed my Nutritional Medicine Masters. Dr Collins is a well-known expert in metabolism and nutrition science. He's done a lot of research on energy expenditure, intermittent fasting, and how different diets affect metabolism.

Topics we cover include …

🔬 What is metabolism?

🐢 Can you actually have a “slow” metabolism?

📉 Metabolism and aging

❄️ Cold exposure for metabolism

😰 Stress and metabolic dysfunction

🔁 What is metabolic flexibility?

❤️ Why it matters (beyond weight)

⚡ Carbs vs fat—who fuels what?

🧠 How to boost metabolic flexibility

🎬 Watch the podcast on YouTube here

📱 Download The Doctor’s Kitchen app

🌐 View full show notes, including guest details, on our website

☕️ Try Exhale Coffee here

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Up to 40% of cancers are attributable to modifiable risk factors, including diet, obesity, alcohol, tobacco use, and physical inactivity. The WCRF estimates that about 1 in 3 cancer cases in high-income countries could be prevented by healthier diets, maintaining a healthy weight, and regular physical activity. And according to the National Cancer Institute in the US, physical inactivity is a recognized risk factor for colon, breast, and endometrial cancer.

But even with the best intentions there’s a lot of confusion around lifestyle and cancer. One day it’s red meat, the next it’s microwaves. We hear about them in headlines, social media posts or passed around in conversation, which can make it really hard to know what matters most.

I’m joined today by Professor Robert Thomas, an NHS oncologist and researcher who’s spent decades studying how lifestyle (from food and movement to gut health and supplements) affects cancer risk and recovery.

We talk about …

🧠 Common cancer myths - mushrooms and herbs

🥗 Anticancer diets – What to eat to reduce your risk.

🦠 Gut health & cancer – The powerful connection between your microbiome and cancer.

🔥 Inflammation & risk – How chronic inflammation increases cancer susceptibility.

🏃‍♂️ Exercise & cancer – The science behind how movement helps fight cancer cells.

🧴 Microplastics & personal care products – The hidden risks in everyday items.

💄 Aluminium in makeup & deodorants – Investigating the potential health impacts.

👶 Fertility impact – How lifestyle and environmental exposures may affect reproductive health.

He’s also recently appointed Head of Integrative Oncology at The Royal London Hospital for Integrative Medicine making him the UK’s first NHS Integrative Oncologist, to complement his existing role as an NHS Consultant Oncologist at Addenbrooke's and Bedford Hospitals. He is also a Clinical Teacher at Cambridge University. At the start of our conversation we talk about his new role and the types of patients he encounters.

View the podcast on our YouTube Channel

You can find out more from Professor on his YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@ProfThomasMD

Books: How to Live, Keeping healthy with Cancer

🎬 Watch the podcast on YouTube here

📱 Download The Doctor’s Kitchen app

🌐 View full show notes, including guest details, on our website

☕️ Try Exhale Coffee here

🥗 Join the newsletter and receive a 7 day meal plan

📷 Follow on Instagram

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.