Extend Podcast with Darshan Shah, MD

Oxidative stress. Toxin overload. Immune dysfunction. These aren't separate problems—they're all symptoms of your body working overtime on one exhausting job. In this episode of Extend, I sit down with Dr. Nayan Patel, a pharmacist who's dedicated his career to understanding glutathione—the molecule your body produces more than any other.  We break down the three proven ways glutathione protects y...

Low energy, brain fog, and poor recovery aren't just part of getting older—they're often signs that your cells are underperforming. And one major reason? They're starved for oxygen. In this episode of Extend, I talk with Dr. Scott Sherr, a hyperbaric medicine specialist who helps patients and doctors worldwide use oxygen therapy to restore cellular health. We get into what hyperbaric oxygen therap...

Fatigue, brain fog, joint pain, blood pressure that won't budge, these aren't isolated symptoms. They're your cells signaling that something's off. In this episode of Extend, I sit down with Dr. Bill Rawls, a board-certified OB/GYN who now focuses entirely on cellular health. We explore why most chronic illness isn't about your diagnosis, it's about what's happening inside your cells. We share the...

Your doctor says your health problems are genetic, so you're destined for the same fate. But what if that's completely wrong? In this episode of Extend, I'm joined by Professor Tim Spector, one of the world's leading microbiome researchers, to reveal the truth: your gut bacteria have more control over your health than your genes do. We explore Tim's 30-year twin study that turned modern medicine u...

What if the real reason you're gaining weight, feeling wired, or struggling to nourish your family isn't about willpower—but the culture you live in? On this episode of Extend, I'm joined by Shawn Stevenson—nutritionist, bestselling author, and host of The Model Health Show—to explore how our food environment, not personal discipline, is fueling the chronic disease crisis. If you're raising kids,...

Back pain is one of the most common health issues—but it's also one of the most misunderstood. In this episode of Extend, I'm joined by Dr. Grant Elliott, a physical therapist and founder of RehabFix, to unpack the real reasons people stay stuck in chronic pain and what it actually takes to recover. We break down why most diagnoses like sciatica or disc herniation are misleading, why MRIs often ma...

You're bloated. Tired. Anxious. Maybe even burnt out. You've tried the diets, the supplements, the meditation apps… But you're still not healing. Why? In this episode of Extend, I'm joined by Elissa Goodman, a holistic health expert and cancer survivor, to explore the deep connection between gut health, inflammation, and overall well-being. We dive deep into the science behind food resets, the imp...

What if your bloating, fatigue, or fertility struggles aren't separate issues, but signs of a deeper imbalance no one's connected yet? In this episode of Extend, I'm joined by Dr. Robin Berzin, founder of Parsley Health, and we dig into how functional medicine uncovers the why behind your symptoms and why conventional care keeps missing it. We talk about the most overlooked root causes of chronic...

What if the root cause of burnout, inflammation, and hormone dysfunction isn't just physical—but energetic? In this episode of Extend, I sit down with Dr. Pedram Shojai—Taoist monk, doctor of Oriental medicine, and author of The Urban Monk—to explore how ancient wisdom meets modern health. We unpack why true healing requires addressing your qi (life force), how emotional stagnation leads to physic...

What if your exhaustion, brain fog, or cravings aren't a motivation problem—but a sleep problem no one's diagnosed yet? In this episode of Extend, I'm joined by Dr. Michael Breuss, a sleep specialist, and we dig into why so many high performers are chronically under-recovered, why sleep disorders go undetected for years, and how wearables are both helping and hurting. We talk about why 8 hours mig...

Most people focus on physical health. But after years of practicing medicine, I've seen this truth again and again: you can't heal your body if your mind and nervous system are stuck in survival mode. In this episode of Extend, I sat down with Kelly Gores, creator of HEAL and founder of WellSet, to explore how trauma, stress, and emotional blocks drive chronic disease—and what it really takes to h...

What if aging isn't just inevitable—but programmable? In this episode of Extend, I sit down with Dr. Kara Fitzgerald, pioneering epigenetic researcher and author of Younger You, to explore how your daily choices—food, movement, sleep, stress—can literally rewire your genes to slow down aging. We unpack her groundbreaking study showing biological age reversal in just 8 weeks without drugs, injectio...

Most people are treating stress with the wrong tools, and it's silently sabotaging their longevity. In this episode of Extend, I sit down with Jen Batchelor, Ayurvedic health optimizer and co-founder of Kin Euphorics, to talk about what your nervous system actually needs to feel calm, connected, and well. We dive into what adaptogens are really doing in your body, why saffron might be one of the m...

What if your real age isn't on your driver's license—but buried in your biology? In this episode of Extend, I'm joined by Chris Mirabile, founder of NOVOS and one of the few people actually slowing down his pace of aging. We break down why the average person is aging faster than they realize, and how mainstream medicine is decades behind when it comes to prevention. We get into the 12 hallmarks of...

Most supplements don't work. Some might actually harm you. That's the hard truth no one in the $50 billion supplement industry wants to say out loud—but we will. In today's episode of Extend, I'm joined by Steve Martocci, co-founder of SuppCo, to expose what's really going on behind the labels. We break down why "clinically dosed" means nothing, why the FDA isn't protecting you, and how two identi...

What if the reason you can't focus, feel chronically overwhelmed, or keep slipping into the same unhealthy habits… isn't a discipline problem, it's your brain's biology working against you? In this episode of Extend, I'm joined by Dr. Austin Perlmutter, board-certified internal medicine physician and neuroscientist, to explore how inflammation hijacks your brain's decision-making and what you can...

In this episode of Extend, we're digging into one of the most dangerous—and most overlooked—drivers of heart disease: LP(a). You could have a clean lifestyle, normal labs, and still be at high risk for a heart attack or stroke. Why? Because LP(a) isn't included in standard cholesterol tests—and 1 in 5 people have elevated levels without knowing it. I break down what LP(a) actually is, why it's mor...

What if the reason you're tired, inflamed, or not recovering the way you used to has nothing to do with aging, and everything to do with your NAD system being under attack? In this episode of Extend, I'm joined by Dr. Charles Brenner, the scientist who discovered nicotinamide riboside (NR) and one of the leading experts on NAD metabolism. We unpack why NAD is so critical for energy, repair, and re...

Most people know mindset matters, but almost no one knows how to actually train it for better health, performance, and longevity. In today's episode of Extend, I'm joined by David Nurse, NBA mindset coach and best-selling author. We dive deep into why mindset is the real missing piece in most health optimization plans, and how flow states, identity shifts, and daily systems can radically change yo...

What if the hidden toxins in your everyday life are secretly sabotaging your health, hormones, and longevity? Most people underestimate how deeply their health is impacted by toxins—and conventional medicine isn't addressing the root of the issue. In this episode of Extend, I'm joined by Dr. Aly Cohen, renowned integrative rheumatologist, environmental health expert, and author of the upcoming boo...

In this episode of Extend, we're rethinking everything you've been told about cholesterol. For decades, the focus has been on lowering LDL, but that's only part of the story. The truth? LDL and total cholesterol are outdated metrics. If you're still relying on those alone to assess your heart health, you're missing the bigger picture. I'll break down why ApoB is the single most important number to...

What if the secret to better energy, fat loss, and gut health wasn't more discipline… but a smarter strategy? Most people are hacking the wrong system—and it's backfiring. In this episode of Extend, I'm joined by Joel Greene, creator of the VEEP Nutrition System and one of the most innovative minds in metabolic health. We break down the science behind fat loss, blood sugar regulation, gut health,...

What if our food system wasn't designed for our health, but for shelf life, convenience, and corporate profit? In today's episode of Extend, I'm joined by Ricky Silver, CEO of Daily Harvest, who brings a rare inside-the-industry view of how our food system really works, and how we can change it. We explore how government subsidies, processed foods, and industrial farming practices have led to the...

What if the reason your supplements aren't working has nothing to do with your body—and everything to do with what's in the bottle? In this episode of Extend, I'm joined by biochemist and ingredient formulator Shawn Wells, a leading voice in evidence-based supplementation and mitochondrial health. Together, we uncover why so many products fail to deliver results, how to build a smarter, personaliz...

What if menopause didn't have to be a challenge, but an opportunity?    In this episode of Extend, I'm joined by Zora Benhamou, host of the Hack My Age podcast, to challenge the common narrative around menopause. Zora shares a refreshing perspective that empowers women to see this stage of life as a chance for reinvention, growth, and better health. We discuss the science behind hormone therapy, t...