Integrative Medicine Matters

Dr Elizabeth Thompson speaks with Dr Santhosshi Narayanan, integrative medicine physician at MD Anderson Cancer Centre, about evidence-based integrative oncology. Discover how medicinal mushrooms, Ayurveda, acupuncture, and mind-body practices are safely combined with conventional cancer treatment in one of the world's leading cancer centres.
 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
✨ Why integrative oncology matters - treating the whole person, not just the cancer
🍄 Medicinal mushrooms explained - start with shiitake from your grocery store
 🧘‍♀️ Mind-body medicine improves patient outcomes - meditation, yoga, and stress management
🏥 How MD Anderson integrates complementary therapies safely alongside chemotherapy
🌿 Ayurvedic wisdom meets modern oncology - personalised nutrition and gut health
🔬 Research-driven approach builds trust with oncology teams
💬 Why open communication about supplements is essential for patient safety
About the Guest
Dr Santhosshi Narayanan is a Clinical Associate Professor at the Integrative Medicine Centre at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Centre. She is double American board‑certified in Internal Medicine and Integrative Medicine and holds a master’s degree in Ayurveda. She serves as Vice President of Advancement, an executive role for the Society of Integrative Oncology (SIO), where she has also co‑chaired the Global Committee and founded the Ayurveda Special Interest Group. She previously served on the Board of the American College of Physicians (ACP).
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.

Voice therapist Christina Shewell reveals how sound and speech heal your body. Learn why emotional expression speeds wound healing by 52%, how grief gets trapped in your voice, and simple exercises to release stress through sound. Discover the surprising science where art meets medicine.
 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
Why 2.14 million UK choir singers experience profound wellbeing benefits
How sound vibrations physically affect your body at a cellular level
The 8 aspects of voice that impact your health and communication
Why grief and trauma can literally get trapped in your voice
The study showing 52% faster wound healing through emotional expression
Simple voice release exercises to reduce stress and change your energy
How cultural suppression of sound limits our healing potential
About the Guest
Christina Shewell, MA, FRCSLT ADVS, is an internationally known spoken voice teacher, speech and language therapist and communication skills coach, with long experience in both voice development and therapy. She has been senior lecturer in voice and counselling skills at University College London,voice teacher at major acting schools and continues to work in a variety of ways, including as a coach for RADA Business. 
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.

50% OFF our online self-paced 10-hour Discovery courseFasting for Longevity, Wellness & Lifespan just enter the code PODFAST50 at checkout!
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.