Integrative Medicine Matters

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In this episode, Dr Elizabeth Thompson speaks with world-leading longevity researcher Professor Valter Longo about the science of fasting and its growing role in integrative medicine, metabolic health and cancer care.
Professor Longo explains the research behind the Fasting Mimicking Diet (FMD), a structured approach designed to replicate the biological benefits of fasting while allowing food intake. Together, they explore how fasting may activate cellular repair processes such as autophagy, influence stem cell regeneration and support metabolic flexibility.
The conversation also examines emerging evidence suggesting fasting may help reduce certain cancer treatment side effects and potentially enhance treatment response inspecific settings. Professor Longo discusses the importance of personalised approaches, the balance between nutrition and pharmaceuticals, and why the refeeding phase is critical for regeneration and repair.
This episode offers a fascinating evidence-informed discussion on how lifestyle interventions may support long-term health, longevity and integrative cancer care.
In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
Integrative Medicine and Longevity science
The Fasting Mimicking Diet explained
Autophagy and cellular repair
Stem cell regeneration and metabolic health
Fasting and cancer treatment support
Fasting vs pharmaceutical approaches to weight loss
Why refeeding is essential after fasting
Dr Valter Longo is a Professor of Gerontology and Biological Science and Director of the Longevity Institute at the School of Gerontology of the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, one of the world’s leading centres devoted to teaching and research on aging.
SEE FULL SHOW NOTES HERE
If you’re interested in learning more about Integrative Medicine, you can:
👉 ⁠Sign up for our free newsletter Integrative Medicine Matters
👉 ⁠Sign up for our NCIM Membership, just £4.99 per month
👉 ⁠Sign up for our free Introduction to Integrative Medicine course⁠
👉 ⁠Explore our 10 CPD Point Discovery Course in Integrative Medicine⁠
👉 ⁠Find out more about our master’s Level 7 Diploma⁠, including single modules you can enrol in today!
NCIM also offers an Integrative Medicine Clinic, where our expert team of Integrative Medicine Doctors and Integrative Clinical Team work collaboratively to support your health and wellbeing. ⁠Learn more and book an appointment⁠.
We would love to get your feedback on the topics andconversations we feature. Follow and connect with us on social media – ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠Facebook⁠, and ⁠LinkedIn⁠ – and let us know your thoughts.
Don’t forget to subscribe and share if you enjoyed this episode!
Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional before making any changes to your health or treatment plan.

Are you feeling overwhelmed by conflicting nutrition advice? In this episode of Integrative Medicine Matters, Dr ElizabethThompson speaks with nutritional therapist and author Kirsten Chick about why one-size-fits-all health advice often fails, particularly for those navigating cancer, chronic stress, and complex health challenges.
Together, they explore how personalised nutrition and Integrative Medicine place the individual at the centre of care, combining scientific evidence, practitioner expertise, and patient experience. The conversation highlights the impact ofstress on hormonal and metabolic health, the role of adrenal function, and how functional testing and mindful lifestyle approaches can support recovery and resilience.
Kirsten also shares insights from her book Nutrition Brought to Life, offering practical, accessible strategies to help people reconnect with their bodies, simplify health decisions, and create sustainable nutrition and lifestyle changes.
In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
• Why generic nutrition advice often doesn’t work
• The link between stress, adrenal health, and chronic illness
• How personalised nutrition supports cancer recovery and long-term wellbeing
• When functional testing, including cortisol testing, can be helpful
• The role of mindfulness and nervous system regulation in digestion and health
• Why stable blood sugar and protein intake are key foundations for resilience
• How to simplify supplements and avoid health advice overload
• The future of integrative medicine and emerging health technologies
About the Guest
Kirsten Chick is a nutritional therapist specialising in personalised nutrition and integrative cancer support. She is the author of Nutrition Brought to Life, a practical guide to understanding nutrition in a holistic and accessible way.
SEE FULL SHOW NOTES HERE
If you’re interested in learning more about Integrative Medicine, you can:
👉 ⁠Sign up for our free newsletter Integrative Medicine Matters
👉 ⁠Sign up for our NCIM Membership, just £4.99 per month
👉 ⁠Sign up for our free Introduction to Integrative Medicine course⁠
👉 ⁠Explore our 10 CPD Point Discovery Course in Integrative Medicine⁠
👉 ⁠Find out more about our master’s Level 7 Diploma⁠, including single modules you can enrol in today!
NCIM also offers an Integrative Medicine Clinic, where our expert team of Integrative Medicine Doctors and Integrative Clinical Team work collaboratively to support your health and wellbeing. ⁠Learn more and book an appointment⁠.
We would love to get your feedback on the topics andconversations we feature. Follow and connect with us on social media – ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠Facebook⁠, and ⁠LinkedIn⁠ – and let us know your thoughts.
Don’t forget to subscribe and share if you enjoyed this episode!
Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional before making any changes to your health or treatment plan.

In this conversation, Dr. Victoria Maizes shares her insights from nearly 40 years of experience as a physician, emphasising the importance of understanding personal health through symptoms. She discusses the journey towards holistic healing and the empowerment of patients through knowledge, aiming to provide resources that help individuals navigate their health journeys effectively.
Key Topics Discussed:
Your symptoms may show you the direction to take.
Understanding health is a personal journey.
Holistic healing is about being healthy and whole.
Patients need to be empowered with knowledge.
It's different to be healthy and whole.
Your health journey is unique to you.
Listening to your body is crucial.
Knowledge is power in health.
Healing is a journey, not a destination.
Find our more about Dr Victoria Maizes on our show notes HERE
If you’re interested in learning more about Integrative Medicine, you can:
👉 ⁠Sign up for our free newsletter Integrative Medicine Matters
👉 ⁠Sign up for our NCIM Membership, just £4.99 per month
👉 ⁠Sign up for our free Introduction to Integrative Medicine course⁠
👉 ⁠Explore our 10 CPD Point Discovery Course in Integrative Medicine⁠
👉 ⁠Find out more about our master’s Level 7 Diploma⁠, including single modules you can enrol in today!
NCIM also offers an Integrative Medicine Clinic, where our expert team of Integrative Medicine Doctors and Integrative Clinical Team work collaboratively to support your health and wellbeing. ⁠Learn more and book an appointment⁠.
We would love to get your feedback on the topics and conversations we feature. Follow and connect with us on social media – ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠Facebook⁠, and ⁠LinkedIn⁠ – and let us know your thoughts.
Don’t forget to subscribe and share if you enjoyed this episode!
 
Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional before making any changes to your health or treatment plan.

Join Dr Elizabeth Thompson as she speaks with Bristol GP Dr Marion Steiner about the powerful intersection of nature connection and healthcare. In this inspiring conversation, Marion shares her journey from recognising the limitations of traditional medicine to championing integrative approaches that bring nature into patients' lives.
Key Topics Discussed:
The concentric circles model: from planetary health to nature as therapy
Green social prescribing and the evidence base for nature interventions
Cold water swimming projects and their mental health benefits
Practical strategies for introducing nature connection in general practice
Community-led initiatives like Really Wild Lockleaze
The future vision: gardens in every GP practice
Are you a Social Prescribing Link Worker?
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SEE FULL SHOW NOTES HERE
If you’re interested in learning more about Integrative Medicine, you can:
 👉 ⁠Sign up for our free newsletter Integrative Medicine Matters
👉 ⁠Sign up for our NCIM Membership, just £4.99 per month
👉 ⁠Sign up for our free Introduction to Integrative Medicine course⁠
👉 ⁠Explore our 10 CPD Point Discovery Course in Integrative Medicine⁠
👉 ⁠Find out more about our master’s Level 7 Diploma⁠, including single modules you can enrol in today!
 NCIM also offers an Integrative Medicine Clinic, where our expert team of Integrative Medicine Doctors and Integrative Clinical Team work collaboratively to support your health and wellbeing. ⁠Learn more and book an appointment⁠.
We would love to get your feedback on the topics and conversations we feature. Follow and connect with us on social media – ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠Facebook⁠, and ⁠LinkedIn⁠ – and let us know your thoughts.
 Don’t forget to subscribe and share if you enjoyed this episode!
 Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional before making any changes to your health or treatment plan.

In this conversation, Dr. Clayton Bell shares his journey from traditional Western medicine to integrative and functional medicine, emphasising the importance of understanding the whole person in the healing process. He discusses the challenges faced in oncology, the significance of personalised cancer testing, and the need for collaboration between traditional and complementary medicine. The conversation also touches on the impact of environmental factors like mould on health and the importance of creating a supportive healing environment for patients.
Their conversation includes how
Dr. Bell's journey into integrative medicine began after observing the limitations of traditional medical training.
He emphasises the importance of addressing root causes rather than just symptoms in patient care.
The healing process involves a deep connection between the healer and the patient, where trust and compassion play crucial roles.
Integrative oncology combines traditional treatments with alternative therapies for better patient outcomes.
Circulating tumour cells can provide valuable insights into cancer progression and treatment efficacy.
Conventional cancer testing often lacks the depth needed for personalised treatment plans.
Building trust with colleagues in the medical field is essential for effective patient care.
Mould exposure can significantly impact health, and proper testing is crucial for diagnosis.
Creating a supportive environment is key to facilitating patient healing and success. The journey of healing is collaborative, requiring both patient and practitioner engagement.

SEE FULL SHOW NOTES HERE
If you’re interested in learning more about Integrative Medicine, you can:
👉 ⁠Sign up for our free newsletter Integrative Medicine Matters
👉 ⁠Sign up for our NCIM Membership, just £4.99 per month
👉 ⁠Sign up for our free Introduction to Integrative Medicine course⁠
👉 ⁠Explore our 10 CPD Point Discovery Course in Integrative Medicine⁠
👉 ⁠Find out more about our master’s Level 7 Diploma⁠, including single modules you can enrol in today!
NCIM also offers an Integrative Medicine Clinic, where our expert team of Integrative Medicine Doctors and Integrative Clinical Team work collaboratively to support your health and wellbeing. ⁠Learn more and book an appointment⁠.
We would love to get your feedback on the topics and conversations we feature. Follow and connect with us on social media – ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠Facebook⁠, and ⁠LinkedIn⁠ – and let us know your thoughts.
Don’t forget to subscribe and share if you enjoyed this episode!
Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional before making any changes to your health or treatment plan.