Could modern life be a little too comfortable for our ancient bodies? This week, I’m exploring the idea that our 21st-century lifestyle might be mismatched with what our biology evolved for and how reintroducing a few ancient challenges could help you feel sharper, calmer, and more resilient.

Without going full caveman, there are a few mild and ‘natural’ stressors that may have benefits to our bodies and considering how comfortable our lives are today, would require us to purposely reintroduce.

I dive into:

🍽️ Why mild hunger and thirst may be benefit

(Not every craving needs a snack—your stress hormones might thank you.)

🌿 How plant “toxins” are misunderstood heroes

From broccoli to turmeric, these phytochemicals can trigger powerful cell protection pathways.

🔥❄️ Whether saunas & cold plunges are worth the hype

How short exposures to heat or cold, separately, might boost metabolism, improve circulation, and even support brain health.

Today’s episode was influenced by the conversation I had with Dr Leo Pruimboom about the science of ‘intermittent living’. The benefit of these challenges isn’t in the challenge itself, it’s in the recovery. And fasting, movement, temperature, and more mirror the environments we evolved in.

To enjoy the benefits of these, I don’t think it requires a complete lifestyle overhaul, I see these as gentle nudges to remind your body what it was built for. The key is dose. Not too much, not too little.

Remember, this isn’t a one-size-fits-all formula. It’s a curious invitation to explore how mild, short-term stressors can unlock long-term health. These aren’t replacements for healthy habits, just small extras that might make a big difference.

This area of research is still evolving. Not all ancient humans lived the same way. There wasn’t one perfect lifestyle. And while the theory behind intermittent living is fascinating, it’s not a prescription.

Think of it as adding a few evolutionary ingredients back into your modern life!

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Nutrition today is noisy. If you spend five minutes on Instagram or YouTube, you’ll see someone telling you that seed oils are poison, soy will mess up your hormones or butter in your coffee will make you live forever.

The truth is, fear sells really well. But real life is usually a bit more simple and a lot more nuanced.

So, how do we make sense of all this in our day-to-day lives? That’s what we’re tackling today. I’ve got Max Lugavere with me. He’s a health and science journalist and New York Times best-selling author on a crusade to help you live longer and feel better.

We don’t agree on everything, which is exactly why this will be a good one to listen to. We’re going to unpack some of the biggest myths that confuse people right now, where these ideas come from, what current research actually shows and what both of us think is a reasonable middle ground.

If you’ve ever stood in the oil aisle wondering if sunflower oil is going to kill you or if you should swap it for beef tallow, stick around. Let’s get into it.

🎬 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.

This episode is for anyone whose life doesn’t always follow a perfect routine. Shift workers, new parents, students, frequent flyers... basically, all of us at some point. 💤🌍✈️

If you’ve ever felt out of sync, foggy, tired at odd hours, or struggled with digestion or mood your circadian rhythm might be to blame. Today I dive into …

🧠 How your body clock governs everything

From digestion, hormones, and metabolism to brain performance, mood, and sleep quality, your circadian rhythm is your internal conductor.

💡 Why modern life throws us off

Artificial light at night, late-night meals, inconsistent sleep and screen time.

🌙 Simple, practical tips for shift workers

🕐 When to sleep

🍽️ What to eat (and when)

🌞 How to recover and realign when your schedule gets messy

🥦 Nutrition strategies to support your rhythm

Learn how to time meals, caffeine, and light exposure to protect your energy, digestion, and mental clarity even during chaotic weeks.

We can’t always control our schedule but we can work with our biology, not against it.

🎬 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.