The Prescription Strength Podcast

Have you been offered a statin and wondered why? Perhaps your cholesterol hasn’t changed very much, you feel perfectly well, and suddenly your GP practice wants to discuss cholesterol or cardiovascular risk. In this Pocket Prescription I explain how statin decisions are made in primary care, why age has such a powerful influence on risk calculations, and why the conversation is usually about futur...

Have you ever been told that your metabolism is broken, damaged, or slowing down with age? Social media often blames metabolism for everything from weight gain to low energy, but the reality is usually much more complicated. In this episode, I cover the difference between metabolism and appetite, why the two are often confused, and why that distinction matters if you’re trying to lose weight or im...

Have you been diagnosed with an underactive thyroid and found yourself confused by conflicting advice online? Perhaps you’ve heard that T3 is the “active” thyroid hormone, wondered why you’re prescribed thyroxine (levothyroxine), or been tempted by thyroid supplements, private testing, or claims that conventional treatment is missing something. In this episode, I cover how thyroid hormones work, w...

Fish oil used to be seen as universally “good for the heart.” Then suddenly the headlines said it might be dangerous. So what’s actually true? In this Pocket Prescription episode, GP Lynette Ewart explains what recent fish oil studies really showed, why different heart conditions matter, and why nutrition science so often gets reduced to simplistic headlines. A practical, evidence-based guide to m...

Cortisol has become the internet’s favourite explanation for almost everything. Poor sleep? Cortisol. Weight gain? Cortisol. Waking at 3am? Cortisol. Tired all the time? Apparently also cortisol. But what does cortisol actually do, when is it genuinely a medical problem, and how much of the online conversation is misunderstanding mixed with marketing? In this Pocket Prescription episode, GP and st...

Most people think their eating habits come down to discipline. I don’t think that’s true. In this Pocket Prescription episode, I talk about one of the biggest things people overlook when they’re struggling with food, weight, or health habits: their environment. Because whether it’s the food in your cupboards, the people around you, your stress levels, your routine, or simply what’s constantly with...

If your weight is creeping up and you’re convinced nothing has changed—you’re probably right. But that doesn’t mean nothing  has  changed. In this Pocket Prescription episode, I break down why weight gain in midlife often feels confusing and unfair. We cover: Why weight gain tends to happen in  seasonal spikes , not a straight line How  muscle loss (and body composition changes)  quietly shifts th...

Losing weight is often seen as the hard part. It isn’t. In this episode, I’m joined by psychologist Dr Courtney Raspin, co-author of  The Weight Loss Prescription , to talk about what actually happens after the weight comes off—and why this is where most people struggle. We explore the gap between weight loss and weight maintenance, particularly in the context of weight loss injections. Because wh...

When you know what you “should” do but still can’t make yourself do it, it’s easy to assume you’re the problem. In this episode, I’m joined by GP and Chimp Management director  Dr Sarah Caddy to break down procrastination and perfectionism using the Chimp Model from Professor Steve Peters. We explore why capable, intelligent people still get stuck, how perfectionism quietly fuels avoidance, and wh...

Patients aren’t just turning up with symptoms anymore — they’re turning up with diagnoses, treatment plans, and a feed full of advice. In this episode, I’m joined by Deb Cohen — former BMJ investigative journalist and co-author of  Bad Influence  — to unpack how the internet has reshaped health information, trust, and the doctor–patient relationship. We talk about the rise of “Dr TikTok,” why algo...

What happens when cancer treatment finishes, but nobody really tells you what comes next? In this episode, I’m joined by Sarah Newman, a cancer and exercise specialist and founder of Get Me Back. Sarah shares her own story of being diagnosed with cervical cancer during pregnancy, going through intensive treatment, and then facing the part that often gets far less attention: life afterwards. We tal...

You’ve finished cancer treatment. Now what? Most people default to being cautious — and for good reason. But when caution turns into inactivity, it quietly works against you. In this episode: Why fear and “being careful” can stall recovery What inactivity does to muscle, fitness and long-term health The evidence that exercise improves survival after cancer How to rebuild safely with simple, struct...

In this episode, I’m joined by dietitian Victoria Schonwald to explore the link between eating disorders, malnutrition and brain function. We discuss why restrictive eating doesn’t just affect the body—it changes the brain. And why, for many people, recovery isn’t about thinking differently first, but eating differently. We cover: How malnutrition affects mood, anxiety and thinking patterns Why th...

Eating disorders don’t just affect teenagers—and they don’t always go away. In this episode, Rachel shares her experience of living with an eating disorder from adolescence into midlife, including how menopause and modern weight-loss culture triggered a relapse. We talk about the difference between eating disorders and disordered eating, why many people don’t get help early enough, and what recove...

What if anxiety isn’t just something that happens to you — but something you unknowingly keep feeding? In this episode, I’m joined by psychotherapist and bestselling author Owen O’Kane to talk about his book  Addicted to Anxiety  and why anxiety can become so hard to break free from. We explore the habits that feel helpful in the moment — Googling symptoms, checking, avoiding, seeking reassurance...

Why Most People Over 50 End Up in A&E Falls are one of the most overlooked threats to health and independence as we age—and they’re far more common (and serious) than most people realise. In this Pocket Prescription episode, I explain why falls—not heart attacks—are one of the leading reasons people over 50 end up in A&E, and what actually happens after that fall that makes the difference...

Emergency medicine consultant  Professor Rob Galloway  joins me to talk about what is really happening inside A&E departments across the NHS. This conversation was prompted by an article Rob wrote describing the current pressures in emergency care — corridor care, ambulance delays, and the growing mismatch between what the NHS was originally designed to treat and the illnesses now filling hosp...

Download my FREE 3 day plan :Start Strength training Safely https://www.prescriptionstrength.co.uk/3-day-strength-start/Get my Weekly Newsletter here https://bit.ly/3LkdrLGIn this video I outline the reasons that get in the way for most people when it comes to starting strength training. Don't let that be you.

Is Weight Training Safe with High Blood Pressure? The Truth About Valsalva and Blood Pressure SpikesDr Lynette Ewart, an NHS GP and personal trainer, challenges fear-based advice that people with high blood pressure should avoid lifting heavy weights, bracing or the Valsalva manoeuvre. She outlines who should be cautious, why fears are exaggerated and unfounded. 00:00 Myth Busting Warnings00:34 Wh...

Pelvic floor symptoms are common, treatable, and don’t mean you have to give up exercise. In this episode, pelvic health physiotherapist Clare Bourne , author of Strong Foundations , explains what prolapse really is, how physio helps, and why strength training isn’t the enemy. We discuss: • What pelvic organ prolapse actually means (and why symptoms matter more than grades) • Stress vs urge incont...

A pocket prescription episode . Episode Summary If you’ve been diagnosed with high blood pressure, you’ve probably been told to walk more. That’s good advice — but it’s not the whole picture. In this episode, I explain why resistance training is one of the most underused tools in blood pressure management. The evidence shows it can lower blood pressure just as effectively as cardio — while also im...

Building Stronger Bones: The Importance of Proper Loading and Strength TrainingIn this episode, Dr. Lynette Ewart, with over 20 years of experience in the NHS and as a personal trainer, discusses the necessity of proper loading and strength training for maintaining bone health as you age. She explains why gentle exercises like walking and stretching are not enough to keep bones strong. Dr. Ewart h...

The Benefits of Strength Training for ArthritisDr. Lynette Ewart, GP and strength coach, dispels the myth that weight training is harmful to those with arthritis. She explains how strength training actually protects and benefits arthritic joints by increasing movement and nutrient flow to cartilage. The video covers why avoiding strength training is a mistake, the physiological benefits of movemen...

Addressing Gender Disparities in CPR Training: An Urgent Call for Change In this podcast, Chloe discusses the critical issue of gender disparities in bystander CPR administration, shedding light on the alarming statistic that women are significantly less likely to receive CPR than men.  Originating from a Duke University study and supported by various other studies, Chloe shares her journey from d...

Debunking the Myth: Can You Really 'Outrun' a Bad Diet? In this episode, I critically examine the popular saying 'You can't outrun a bad diet.' Often touted as a physiological law, I delve into what this phrase actually means and whether it holds any truth. Through personal anecdotes and examples from my medical practice, I explore the nuanced relationships between diet, exerci...