1d ago

The Flaw of "Eat Less, Move More" in the Age of Injections with Dr Ellen Fallows

The conversation around obesity and weight management is changing faster than ever. In this season finale of the Sound Living podcast, host Mike Banna sits down with Dr. Ellen Fallows, an NHS GP and key figure in the British Society of Lifestyle Medicine (BSLM), to unpack the rise of GLP-1 agonists (like Wegovy and Mounjaro). While these medications are proving to be powerful tools for turning off "food noise" and driving weight loss, Dr. Fallows warns that dropping numbers on a scale doesn't automatically equate to better health. From the hidden dangers of "malnutrition with obesity" to the urgent need for personalized, core medical care, Mike and Ellen discuss why medication alone isn't enough. They explore the socioeconomic divide these drugs are creating, the truth behind muscle loss, and why fixing our broken food environment might be the ultimate prescription. If you want a nuanced, science-backed, and empathetic look at the future of weight loss, this episode is a must-listen. Key Takeaways & Topics Discussed: The GLP-1 Revolution: How these drugs work on the brain to reduce cravings, and why real-world data is still catching up to the clinical trials.Malnutrition with Obesity: The serious health risks of taking appetite suppressants while living in a nutrient-poor, ultra-processed food environment.Beyond "Eat Less, Move More": Why traditional calorie-counting advice is scientifically outdated and often harmful.The Privilege of Prescription: How the high cost and strict NHS criteria for weight loss medications are widening the health inequality gap.Core (Wraparound) Care: Why treating obesity requires addressing a patient's real life, including stress, sleep, shift work, and food poverty.Food as Medicine: Exploring alternative interventions, like prescribing whole foods and returning to community dining, instead of relying solely on pharmacology. Guest Bio: Dr. Ellen Fallows is an expert generalist GP in the NHS and has served as a trustee, Learning Academy founder, and Vice President of the British Society of Lifestyle Medicine (BSLM). She is passionate about integrating whole-person, evidence-based lifestyle interventions into routine clinical practice. You can find Ellen at https://www.drellenfallows.com/ Resources Mentioned: Bags of TasteAlexandra Rose CharityHenry Dimbleby’s Ellison Lecture on the Food Environment

53 min

06/04/2025

Lifestyle Medicine on Trial: Nicola Guess Challenges Dietary Dogma with Nicola Guess

In this episode of Sound Living, host Dr. Mike Banna welcomes registered dietitian Nicola Guess to explore the complex role of carbohydrates in lifestyle medicine. Drawing from her extensive experience with type 2 diabetes, Nicola emphasizes the need for nuanced dietary guidelines, challenging common misconceptions about carbohydrate reduction's impact on glycemia. They go on to talk about the risk of oversimplification in lifestyle narratives like veganism and low-carb diets, and address the polarised views within nutritional discourse. Guest: Dr Nicola Guess RD MPH PhD (https://substack.com/@drguess)

56 min

05/07/2025

From Policy to Plate: A Deep Dive into Public Health Nutrition

In this episode of Sound Living, Dr. Mike Banna and public health nutrition expert Jenny Rosborough dissect the complex interplay between individual diet and the broader food environment shaped by policy and industry. Jenny shares her experience from the Jamie Oliver Group and policy work, offering insights into the sugar tax, calorie labeling debates, and the pervasive influence of ultra-processed foods. They explore the challenges of balancing corporate interests with public health goals, the impact of delayed legislation, and the critical need for a fair food system that prioritizes equitable access to nutritious options. The conversation concludes with a discussion on empowering individuals amidst these systemic challenges and the vital role of evidence-based information dissemination by organizations like the BSLM. This episode was recorded in 2022. Its discussion of public health, nutrition policy, and the food environment remains highly relevant today. Guest: Jenny Rosborough RNutr (@hellohealthyyou_)

56 min

04/16/2025

The Muscle Mindset: The Missing Link to Health, Longevity, and Brain Power with Dr. Tommy Wood

In this episode of Sound Living, Dr. Mike Banna speaks with Dr. Tommy Wood, an assistant professor at the University of Washington. They explore the vital role of muscle mass in health, longevity, and cognitive function, emphasizing that strength, rather than mere size, is key to well-being. Tommy highlights the Fat-Free Mass Index (FFMI) as a more informative health measure than Body Mass Index (BMI) and advocates for resistance training over endurance activities to maximize health benefits. They also discuss protein intake recommendations and aim to dispel myths associated with muscle-building and wellness trends. Guest: Dr. Tommy Wood (@drtommywood)

1h 3m

03/12/2025

Food for Thought: Kimberley Wilson on the Science Behind a Healthy Brain & Mental Health

In this episode of Sound Living, Dr Mike Banna is joined by chartered psychologist and author Kimberley Wilson to explore the intricate connections between lifestyle, nutrition, and mental health. They discuss how this evidence-based conversation goes beyond simplistic notions of well-being, delving into the complex interplay between our dietary choices and brain function. Drawing on insights from her book, How to Build a Healthy Brain, Kimberley explains how nutrition significantly influences behaviour and cognitive function, drawing on her experiences in high-pressure environments such as prisons as compelling examples. She also examines how societal structures and systemic barriers shape our dietary choices, advocating for both individual lifestyle adjustments and the development of compassionate, supportive public health policies. Guest: Kimberley Wilson (@foodandpsych)

1 hr

02/04/2025

Small Changes, Big Impact: The Power of Lifestyle Medicine

In this first episode of the new season of Sound Living, host Dr. Mike Banna is joined by Dr. John Sykes and Dr. Punam Krishan to explore the foundations of lifestyle medicine. They discuss how this evidence-based approach goes beyond simplistic advice like “eat less, move more”, emphasizing the complexities of behaviour change and the importance of a person-centred, compassionate approach. John highlights the six pillars of lifestyle medicine, while Punam shares personal experiences that shaped her understanding of sustainable health changes. Together, they address common misconceptions, the role of socioeconomic factors, and the need for gradual, long-term improvements rather than quick fixes. Throughout the conversation, they advocate for small, meaningful lifestyle shifts that empower individuals on their health journeys. With engaging discussions and real-world insights, this episode sets the tone for Sound Living, a podcast dedicated to making lifestyle medicine accessible, practical, and evidence-based for both healthcare professionals and the public. Guests: Dr Punam Krishan (@drpunamkrishan) Dr John Sykes (@healthandfitnessdoctor)

58 min

10/13/2020

COVID-19 and our mental health

Following on from our last episode on stress, this episode explores the effect of COVID-19 on our mental health with Dr Charlotte Marriott. Charlotte explains why the stages of grief may apply to how we're feeling, and suggests actions we can take to cope, manage and even thrive during this global pandemic. Helen and Charlotte also discuss the concept of post-traumatic growth, a positive personal transformation we can experience following stressful life events. All of the resources mentioned by Charlotte and more can be found on our website https://bslm.org.uk/education/podcast/ You can follow us on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter @britsoclm

31 min

09/08/2020

How to cope with stress (Healthcare Worker's Special)

This is a healthcare worker’s special on how to manage stress for both clinical and non- clinical staff working within the NHS, with Dr Anna Huette. This has been a particularity stressful year. We talk about the importance of addressing stress in healthcare workers, and share some simple ways to approach this if you are feeling overwhelmed. Dr Helen and Dr Anna share their own experiences with stress and the strategies that work for them. Dr Anna also signposts us to where we can access help if compassionate self care measures aren’t helping and we are still struggling. You can find all of the resources mentioned on our website at https://bslm.org.uk/education/podcast/

26 min

08/04/2020

Why do we sleep and how can we sleep better

Sleep doesn't always get the credit it deserves, but it is one of the most important components of our health. In this episode, Helen is joined by Dr Alex Maxwell who explains the science behind why we sleep and why we can struggle to get a good night's sleep. The effect of caffeine, alcohol and blue light is discussed, with practical tips on how you can improve the quality of your sleep.

32 min

07/14/2020

How to create healthy routines and habits

This episode explores the neuroscience of habits and how we can use this to build the habits we want. Dr Sue Smith, a GP and health and wellness coach, takes Helen through the 5 steps to forming a habit that sticks. They talk about why it's so hard to change habits, and what you can do to succeed. Download the worksheet from our website to join Dr Helen in taking the first step at https://bslm.org.uk/sound-living-podcast/

31 min

06/08/2020

Pregnancy: Mental health, exercise, sleep and lockdown

In this episode about pregnancy, Dr Helen Lawal interviews Dr Julie Gray. Julie is an NHS GP and currently 35 weeks pregnant. Helen is bringing up a new-born baby in lockdown. The pair share their experience as mums and explore: benefits of exercise in pregnancy and what precautions to take; how to maintain good emotional wellbeing and mental health during pregnancy; and practical tips to improve sleep both during and outside of pregnancy.

32 min

06/02/2020

Introducing the BSLM and Lifestyle Medicine

What is Lifestyle Medicine? In the first episode of Sound Living, Dr Helen Lawal is joined by Dr Rob Lawson. Rob is a former GP and cofounder of the British Society of Lifestyle Medicine. In this episode, Rob explains why he founded the BSLM and why our lifestyle is more important now than ever. He also explains what lifestyle medicine actually is, what group consultations are, and how small changes can have a big impact on our health.

32 min

Sound Living

Episodes

The Flaw of "Eat Less, Move More" in the Age of Injections with Dr Ellen Fallows

Lifestyle Medicine on Trial: Nicola Guess Challenges Dietary Dogma with Nicola Guess

From Policy to Plate: A Deep Dive into Public Health Nutrition

The Muscle Mindset: The Missing Link to Health, Longevity, and Brain Power with Dr. Tommy Wood

Food for Thought: Kimberley Wilson on the Science Behind a Healthy Brain & Mental Health

Small Changes, Big Impact: The Power of Lifestyle Medicine

COVID-19 and our mental health

How to cope with stress (Healthcare Worker's Special)

Why do we sleep and how can we sleep better

How to create healthy routines and habits

Pregnancy: Mental health, exercise, sleep and lockdown

Introducing the BSLM and Lifestyle Medicine

About

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