Age Better with Liz Earle

It seems the key to a brighter mood and healthy brain really does start at the end of your fork. Liz is joined by epidemiologist and ZOE co-founder Professor Tim Spector to explore the powerful connection between our gut and mental wellbeing – and how a few simple food tweaks can have a rapid impact on your mood and cognitive health.

They discuss how changing oestrogen levels around menopause can affect the gut microbiome, and how inflammation travels through the body, causing symptoms such as anxiety, fatigue and even reduced brain function.

Tim also sh...

Which supplements are really worth taking in your 40s, 50s and beyond? Liz is joined by nutritionist Rhian Stephenson, founder of ARTAH, to cut through the noise and focus on the evidence-backed essentials that can support women’s health as we age, from creatine and magnesium to iron and vitamin D. They discuss how to prioritise supplementation around your changing needs, the importance of fibre for gut health and why getting the basics right matters more than anything else.

This episode is sponsored by ARTAH, who are offering listeners of the show 25% off purchases at artah.co...

If you’ve recently been on a course of antibiotics, it’s always a good idea to help support your gut back to good health. Liz shares her advice on rebuilding a robust gut microbiome, from taking probiotics to feeding beneficial bacteria with fibre and fermented foods. She also discusses exploring ways to manage recurring infections.

Plus: HRT and unexpected bleeding, ways to get omega-3 if you don’t eat fish, how to deal with repeated UTIs and how best to look after your oral microbiome.

Also in this episode:

If you’ve been feeling a bit ‘meh’ recently, you’re not alone. Poet and bestselling author Donna Ashworth joins Liz to explore how we can rediscover our bright side by looking for ‘little glimmers’ in the everyday and reconnecting with the things that truly matter.

They discuss how changing our perspective can help us move beyond anxiety, self-criticism and the pressure to have it all together, and why embracing imperfection can help us feel more authentic and fulfilled.

Donna also shares practical ways to nurture a more uplifted mindset, from setting an intention ea...

As health supplements have come under recent media scrutiny, how do we know what’s worth taking? Liz explores why the answer isn’t quite so simple, explaining why quality, dosage, evidence and individual needs all matter. She discusses the importance of source and testing, and shares her recommendations for women over the age of 50.

Plus: the correct way to apply oestrogen gel, ways to boost fertility over 40, does our body smell change as we age and where to start with microneedling treatment.

Also in this episode:

What if some of the simplest ingredients in your kitchen could help support healthier ageing? Nutritionist Karen Newby joins Liz to explore the foods that deliver the greatest longevity benefits – and what to eat to support our cardiovascular, brain and bone health.

They discuss the merits of polyphenol-rich foods, fibre, omega-3s and antioxidants, and why ingredients such as extra virgin olive oil, leafy greens, pulses and berries should play a starring role in a nourishing, pro-ageing diet.

Karen also explains the importance of a healthy gut as we age, and shares simple, bu...

Facing surgery? Liz explains how the weeks beforehand can be an opportunity for ‘pre-habilitation’ – building strength and optimising nutrition, getting plenty of sleep and checking for underlying health conditions. She also shares tips for preparing your home, supporting recovery with supplements and knowing when to accept help.

Plus: Dealing with female hair loss, considerations for varicose vein treatment, painful periods on HRT and advice for a mysterious recurrent skin condition.

Also in this episode:

We often think of cortisol as the big, bad stress hormone we need to keep as low as possible. But what if too little is just as bad for your health? Naturopathic doctor Erin Kinney joins Liz to explain why cortisol is an essential hormone for energy, focus, inflammation and resilience – and why our levels can become depleted in midlife.

They discuss how chronic stress can leave us stuck in a cycle of using up more cortisol than we can replenish, and how this can impact everything from sleep and mood to digestion and weight loss.

Liz discusses the importance of looking after our bone health as we get older and explains the difference between osteoarthritis and osteoporosis. She also shares how she supports her own bone density and joint health, from HRT and strength training to impact exercise, high-protein foods and supplements.

Plus: How salt can be used to hydrate, ways to treat seborrheic dermatitis, hormonal changes after coming off contraceptives and can grapeseed oil boost skin collagen?

Also in this episode:

•Create your own hydrating electrolytes

•Can grapeseed oil boost collagen or prev...

What can we do to stay strong, healthy and adaptable as we age? Olympian Dame Denise Lewis joins Liz to share how movement, mindset and challenging ourselves can help us thrive in midlife and beyond.

They discuss the importance of strength training, finding exercise you enjoy, and how setting new goals can help us maintain physical and mental resilience as our bodies change.

Denise also shares her approach to sleep, nutrition and managing stress, and explains how she connects lifting heavy weights with pushing through difficult life moments.

In this episode:<...

Could your midlife fatigue, weight gain and thinning hair be down to a lack of iodine? Research shows that up to 68% of us are deficient, with women being particularly vulnerable. Liz is joined by marine biologist Dr Craig Rose to explore why this often-overlooked nutrient is essential for thyroid health, metabolism and brain function, as well as healthy skin, hair and nails. Craig explains how signs of thyroid dysfunction can overlap with perimenopause and menopause symptoms and shares simple ways to get more iodine into your diet.

This episode is sponsored by Doctor Seaweed, who are...

While it's often thought of as a male hormone, women also produce testosterone, and levels start to decline from early adulthood. Liz explores how it can help women in midlife and discusses emerging research into the benefits not just for libido, but also mood and cognition. She also shares her own experience of taking testosterone.

Plus: how to treat spotty upper arms, ways to support low vitamin D, what counts as a healthy ferritin level and can nicotine patches help with long covid symptoms?

Also in this episode:

·     What is a norm...

Weight is about far more than the number on the scales. Registered dietitian Ashley Koff joins Liz to explain why we should be thinking about weight health rather than weight loss – and how body composition, metabolic health, hormones and digestion all play a role.

They discuss why weight can be a signal of what’s happening inside the body, and why this becomes particularly important during perimenopause and menopause, when hormonal changes can affect blood sugar, inflammation, muscle, bone and fat.

Ashley also explains why digestion and hydration are important for nutrient absorption, and...

Wondering if those daily laps of the pool are enough to keep you strong as you age? Liz discusses the benefits of swimming for cardiovascular fitness and mobility – but explains why adding strength training to your routine is key for muscle maintenance and bone health.

Plus: Treating hormonal breakouts, improving the appearance of loose skin, why a low-histamine diet might help with itchy skin and what's causing recurrent breast cysts?

Also in this episode:

·     Advice for treating hormonal acne

·     How can I help my loose, crepey skin after weight lo...

Hormones affect far more than fertility and menopause – they play a vital role in everything from heart and brain health to strong bones and a balanced gut. Professor of endocrinology Mary Ryan joins Liz to explain why looking after our hormones means taking greater control of our everyday health.

They discuss how declining oestrogen during perimenopause and menopause can impact our entire body as we age, and why midlife is a significant time to take stock.

Mary also shares ways to support our hormonal system through diet, exercise, sleep and stress management and ta...

How can we address the visible signs of ageing, while ensuring the results still look natural? Liz is joined by Ouronyx aesthetics doctor Dr Maude Calveley to explore how facial fat, muscles and even bone structure change as we age.

They discuss subtle enhancements, from Botox to biostimulators, why there’s no one-size-fits-all approach, and how a thoughtful, tailored treatment plan can leave you looking fresh, healthy – and the best version of you.

This episode is sponsored by Ouronyx, the home of mindful aesthetics. Find out more at ouronyx.com.

In t...

Do you find you’re struggling with self-discipline when it comes to healthy eating? Liz explores what drives us to reach for the biscuit tin – and shares ways to adapt your environment to reduce cravings without relying on willpower alone.

Plus: Is HRT making me constipated? What causes hair thinning in midlife, whether exosomes are worth adding to your skincare regime and advice for tackling adult acne.

In this episode:

·     How can I be more disciplined with my eating?

·     Does berberine reduce food cravings?

·     Should I add exosomes to my bea...

Fermented foods are a simple, tasty way to support not just our gut microbiome, but also our mood, skin health and mental clarity. Fermentation expert Rachel de Thample joins Liz to explore how adding these powerful foods to our plate can help transform how we feel from the inside out.

They discuss the gut-brain connection, using fermented food to rebalance your gut after a course of antibiotics, and how they can help with brain fog and achy joints.

Rachel also shares tips for making your own ferments – including her simple sauerkraut recipe – and expl...

If your skin isn't looking as taut and firm as it used to, you’re not alone. Liz explains how skin firmness can be impacted by declining collagen and oestrogen in midlife, as well as changes in muscle and body fat. She shares ways to support skin from the inside out, from strength training to diet tweaks, and talks about the toning body cream ingredients to look out for.

Plus: Tips for preventing and treating mosquito bites, contraception options for over-40s, can antihistamines help with perimenopause symptoms, and should I be wary of fish oils?

We often reach automatically for a drink as a way to relax or celebrate, but as we get older, we don’t always recover as easily as we used to. Alcohol mindset coach Anna Donaghey joins Liz to explore why we drink, and how we can make more conscious choices.

They discuss the ways we rely on alcohol to manage our emotions, and why willpower isn’t the most effective strategy when it comes to rethinking our relationship with drinking.

Anna also explains the difference between habit and dependency, and how to recognise what...

Could the way you clean your teeth be disrupting your health? Liz explains why she has swapped traditional fluoride toothpaste for hydroxyapatite – and shares the simple cleansing routine she uses to protect the balance of her oral microbiome.

Plus: tackling recurrent thrush, protecting your skin when swimming, whether maca boosts libido and how to spot menopause symptoms if you have PCOS or endometriosis.

In this episode:

·     Can fluoride toothpaste disrupt the gut microbiome?

·     Simple ways to protect your skin when swimming

·     Why might thrush keep coming back?

·     Wh...

Journalist and author Sarah Vine joins Liz for a candid conversation about the realities of midlife, from hair loss and body confidence to our evolving relationship with our appearance – and why self-acceptance can be a gift in our second half.

They discuss the emotional impact of hair thinning, the pressures women face to look a certain way and how attitudes towards GLP-1 medications are beginning to shift.

Sarah also reflects on finding confidence after 50, how ageing can bring greater freedom, and why it’s more important to focus on health over perfection.

 <...

Feeling bloated after meals? Liz shares some simple strategies for easing digestive discomfort, from changing the way you eat to walking after mealtimes – and the nutrients that can help support an imbalanced gut.

Plus: advice for chronic migraines, Liz’s go-to longevity supplements, suitcase essentials for an indulgent girls’ holiday and the benefits of grounding sheets. 

In this episode:

·      Which longevity supplements are best?

·      Advice for slow gut function and bloating

·      Ibiza holiday essentials

·      Help for daily migraines and impacted sleep

·      How to support a healthier gut microbiome<...

What does love look like in midlife? Couples therapist Karen Doherty joins Liz to explore how dating, divorce and long-term partnerships are changing after 50 – and why this stage of life can be an opportunity to build happier, healthier relationships.

They discuss how shifting priorities, growing confidence and greater financial independence are reshaping what we want from a partner, and why it's never too late to find love again.

Karen also shares tips for communicating more openly, as well as dating advice – whether you're newly single, happily coupled or looking to make your relationship more...

Confused by the endless choice of Greek yogurts? Liz discusses the key differences between the options based on nutrients, additives, texture and satiety. She also explains why low-fat isn't always healthier, and what to look for on the label.

Plus: mineral versus synthetic sunscreen, how to deal with prickly heat rash, ways for regular runners to protect their joints, and which meats are the most nutritious?

In this episode:

·     Is mineral sunscreen better for my skin?

·     Why full-fat dairy might offer more health benefits

·     The difference between...

After a strong family history of breast cancer, GP Dr Camilla Stokholm turned to her own DNA for answers. She joins Liz and Dr Amy Walker to explore how understanding our genetic risk for disease empowers us to make lifestyle interventions before it has a chance to develop.

They explain how unique genetic variations influence everything from nutrient absorption to oestrogen metabolism – and how this personalises our health journey.

Camilla and Amy also share practical ways to dial down your risk of disease, from supporting gut health to eating more fibre, and why exe...

If it feels like your get-up-and-go has got up and left, it’s not in your head. Declining hormones during perimenopause and menopause can leave you feeling unmotivated and flat. Liz shares practical ways to start feeling like yourself again – from seeking menopause support to making small lifestyle shifts – and reminds us of the importance of prioritising our wellbeing.

Plus: plant sterols for high cholesterol, ways to reduce facial lines and wrinkles, Liz’s fake-tan recommendations and is MCT oil worth the money?

In this episode:

·     Fake tan recommendations

·     What to do if you've...

There’s no age limit on feeling confident in your own skin. Beauty journalist Sarah Jossel joins Liz to share the tips and tricks she's gathered over two decades in the industry, so that your 40s, 50s, 60s and beyond become your time to shine.

They discuss the role of grooming and its impact on our self-esteem, and Sarah’s thoughts on targeted beauty products for perimenopausal and menopausal skin.

Sarah also shares the beauty ingredients to look out for, the skin- and haircare products worth spending on – plus the tweakments she rates the most.<...

Liz shares her exact priority list for getting the biggest health wins without spending a fortune – the free habits she swears by and the essential supplements she thinks are worth the money.

Plus: does high-intensity exercise stall fat loss, is there any truth to the collagen and cancer scare stories, what you need to know about gluten and histamine intolerance, and why progesterone may help you sleep better.

In this episode: 

·     Should midlife women swerve high-intensity exercise?

·     Is there a link between collagen and cancer?

·     Where to spend and where to...

Could we reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease before symptoms even appear? Holistic health expert Patrick Holford, founder of the Food for the Brain Foundation, believes we can. He joins Liz to explain the importance of a preventative approach to brain health.

They discuss how lifestyle, nutrition and targeted supplementation play a powerful role in reducing dementia risk, and why it’s never too early or too late to make positive changes.

Patrick also talks about how learning something new keeps our brains fresh, and why vitamin B12, omega-3 and MCT oil shou...

Could gardening be one of the simplest ways to support your health? Liz is joined by Dr Ashby Sachs, Research Fellow in Horticulture and Wellbeing at the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), and Marcus Chilton-Jones, Head of RHS Garden Bridgewater, to explore the growing body of science linking gardening and time in nature with better physical, mental and emotional wellbeing in midlife and beyond.

This episode is sponsored by the RHS. Visit rhs.org.uk for gardening tips and everything you need to plan your next visit to an RHS Garden.

In this e...

6 ways to shift midlife belly fat (without counting calories)

Wondering why your waistline has changed in your 40s or 50s, despite eating well and exercising regularly? Liz explains how perimenopause hormone shifts can change where we store fat, and why muscle loss, poor sleep, stress and gut health all play a role. She also shares strategies to help improve body composition without obsessing over calories.

Plus: practical solutions for hip and joint pain, quality protein powders for active teens, exploring seed oils used in HRT and advice for persistent cold feet and visible veins.<...

Tight muscles, weak muscles and stiff joints are the leading causes of pain in later life – and physiotherapist Will Harlow says there’s plenty we can do to protect our comfort, mobility and independence as we age.

He breaks down the simple tests we can do at home to check our strength and balance, as well as science-backed strategies for dealing with chronic back pain, arthritis, osteoporosis and muscle weakness. 

In this episode:

·     The daily habits that can keep us pain-free

·     Why losing mobility and independence doesn’t need to be inevitab...

Are you suffering with sudden allergies in your 40s or 50s? Liz explains why hormonal changes during perimenopause and menopause can make you more sensitive to pollen, skincare products and even foods you've tolerated for years. She explores the connection between oestrogen and histamine and shares ways to address it.

Plus: tips for dealing with a frozen shoulder, supplements for anxiety and low mood, beauty advice for rosacea-prone skin and when to be concerned about polyps.

In this episode:

·     Which skincare products will help my rosacea?

·     How to cope with fe...

Struggling to lose weight despite eating well and exercising? Biochemist Dr Sara Pugh joins Liz to explain why the answer may not just lie in what's on your plate – but in how much natural daylight you're getting.

They discuss how leptin, the appetite-regulating hormone, follows our circadian rhythm and the link between light exposure, satiety and weight gain.

Sara also talks about the effects of screen time and artificial light on metabolism and shares ways to reconnect your body with natural light cues.

In this episode:

·     The importance of early-mo...

If the lines around your mouth and chin area have got deeper in midlife, it may have given your self-confidence a bit of a knock. Liz explains how these so-called ‘marionette lines’ often become more noticeable in our 40s and 50s, and shares ways to support firmer, healthier skin without resorting to invasive treatments.

Plus: parasite cleansing, at-home hormone tests, the truth about oat milk and whether red-light therapy is really worth it.

Also in this episode:

·     Surgery-free ways to soften facial lines

·     What are the benefits of red-light therap...

While GLP-1 weight loss medications can be transformative for people living with obesity or type 2 diabetes, eating less means every bite needs to work harder. Medical scientist and nutritionist Dr Federica Amati joins Liz to explain why these medications make good nutrition more important than ever.

They discuss how weight-loss jabs affect appetite and the importance of protecting muscle, bone health and metabolism while losing weight.

Federica also shares six nutrient-rich foods to prioritise before, during and after treatment, plus practical advice for maintaining a healthy weight when coming off the medication.

Struggling with brain fog and poor focus? Liz explains how declining hormones can affect cognitive function during perimenopause and menopause and tackles common misconceptions around hormone therapy. She also talks about her own experience with testosterone and mental clarity.

Plus: Ways to treat skin hyper-pigmentation, what to do if you can't get an HRT referral, diet tweaks after gall bladder surgery and dealing with restless leg syndrome.

In this episode:

·     Can testosterone cause cancer?

·     How to help with restless leg syndrome

·     Adapting your diet after gall-bladder surgery

·   ...

For years we've been told to stay out of the sun to keep us safe, but have we got it all wrong? Award-winning science journalist Rowan Jacobsen joins Liz to discuss how each hour we spend outdoors could actually lower our risk of age-related diseases – and how sunlight deficiency is bad for our health.

Liz and Rowan talk about the impact of light exposure on everything from mood and sleep to metabolism and energy, and how our bodies are not designed to live indoors.

Rowan also shares surprising data about skin cancer and ex...

If years of sun exposure have left you with age spots, freckles and uneven pigmentation, you’re certainly not alone. Liz explores the best ways to manage sun damage, sharing the skincare ingredients and treatments that can genuinely help – without the need to splash out on expensive creams.

Plus: The impact of hair dye on gut health, whether testosterone causes hair loss, the health benefits of infrared saunas and choosing the right smart scales.

In this episode:

·     Are infrared saunas good for my health?

·     The impact of hair dye on gut health