Cortisol and Belly Fat: What’s True and What’s Total Nonsense

Cherry Healey and Dr Amir Khan break down exactly what happens to your brain, heart, gut, hormones and immune system when stress becomes chronic. They explain why you can't just "calm down," why you're waking up at 3am, and why weight gain isn't always your fault. Plus, is cortisol tummy actually real? 💬 Got a question for Chat GP? Email us [email protected] We've partnered with ⁠Randox Health⁠. Take their Everyman and Everywoman health check at https://randoxhealth.com just use the code NAN15 to save 15% off their health checks. Results will arrive in just 2 hours from your sample arriving at the lab. Have an itchy, irritated scalp? Polytar, trusted by doctors for over 60 years, can help treat dandruff, psoriasis and seborrhoeic dermatitis at the source. Head to polytar.co.uk and use code Appointment10 for 10% off. Always Read the Label. The content of No Appointment Necessary is for general information, it's not a substitute for a personalised medical assessment. Always consider your own medical history and personal circumstances before acting on any health information. Developed and produced by James Carpenter & Jo Scarratt-Jones Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Cherry Healey and Dr Amir Khan are talking about something most of us know all too well... being completely glued to our phones! Doom scrolling, broken concentration, bad sleep, stress, eye strain and “tech neck”, they discuss what too much screen time is actually doing to our brains and bodies (and what’s just hype). They also get into blue light, social media overwhelm, and some realistic ways to cut back without pretending we all live off-grid and read books by candlelight. We've partnered with ⁠Randox Health⁠. Take their Everyman and Everywoman health check at https://randoxhealth.com just use the code NAN15 to save 15% off their health checks. Results will arrive in just 2 hours from your sample arriving at the lab. Download SAILY in your app store and use our code nan at checkout to get an exclusive 15% off your first purchase! For further details go to https://saily.com/nan Have an itchy, irritated scalp? Polytar, trusted by doctors for over 60 years, can help treat dandruff, psoriasis and seborrhoeic dermatitis at the source. Head to polytar.co.uk and use code Appointment10 for 10% off. Always Read the Label. Have a question, feedback, or want to suggest a topic? Email: [email protected] The content of No Appointment Necessary is for general information, it's not a substitute for a personalised medical assessment. Always consider your own medical history and personal circumstances before acting on any health information. Developed and produced by James Carpenter & Jo Scarratt-Jones Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We eat up to 50,000 microplastic particles every year, but what is that actually doing to our bodies? In this week's check-in, Cherry Healey and Dr Amir Khan break down everything you need to know about microplastics - what they are, how they get into our bodies, and what the latest science really says. They also cover the practical stuff, such as why you should never microwave food in plastic, what synthetic gym wear might be doing to your skin, whether filtering your water actually helps, and simple swaps that can reduce your exposure, without losing your mind over it! New episodes of No Appointment Necessary drop every Tuesday. This episode is brought to you by Linwoods. Use the code NAN20 for 20% off all Linwoods products at linwoodshealthfoods.com Have a question, feedback, or want to suggest a topic? Email: [email protected] The content of No Appointment Necessary is for general information, it's not a substitute for a personalised medical assessment. Always consider your own medical history and personal circumstances before acting on any health information. A Made You Look Studios Production. Developed and produced by James Carpenter & Jo Scarratt-Jones Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What is a normal period, and when should you be concerned? Cherry Healey and Dr Amir Khan break down everything you’ve probably never been properly told, looking at everything from heavy bleeding and painful cramps to PMS, PMDD and irregular cycles. Why do so many women live with symptoms they think are “just part of it”? When is a period actually a sign that something’s wrong? And what should you be looking out for before it starts affecting your health? New episodes of No Appointment Necessary drop every Tuesday. This episode is brought to you by Linwoods. Use the code NAN20 for 20% off all Linwoods products at linwoodshealthfoods.com Have a question, feedback, or want to suggest a topic? Email: [email protected] The content of No Appointment Necessary is for general information, it's not a substitute for a personalised medical assessment. Always consider your own medical history and personal circumstances before acting on any health information. A Made You Look Studios Production. Developed and produced by James Carpenter & Jo Scarratt-Jones Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We all know the feeling… it’s nearly 8am, you’re redialling the surgery trying to get a GP appointment, and somehow it feels harder than ever to actually see a doctor. So why is it like this? This is exactly why we started No Appointment Necessary, to give you a weekly check-in with a real GP where you can hear what’s actually happening behind the scenes in modern healthcare. In this special episode, Dr Amir Khan, a practicing GP in Bradford, explains the reality of being a GP today, the huge demand on surgeries, the pressure doctors are under, and why getting an appointment can sometimes feel so difficult. Cherry Healey brings the patient perspective, asking the questions so many of you will be thinking! New episodes of No Appointment Necessary drop every Tuesday. This episode is brought to you by Linwoods. Use the code NAN20 for 20% off all Linwoods products at linwoodshealthfoods.com Have a question, feedback, or want to suggest a topic? Email: [email protected] The content of No Appointment Necessary is for general information, it's not a substitute for a personalised medical assessment. Always consider your own medical history and personal circumstances before acting on any health information. A Made You Look Studios Production. Developed and produced by James Carpenter & Jo Scarratt-Jones Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dr Amir Khan and Cherry Healey break down everything you need to know about UTIs, cystitis, bladder infections and recurrent urinary tract infections. It’s a deeply personal topic for Cherry, who has lived with chronic UTIs for much of her life. Dr Amir and Cherry talk about the real causes, symptoms and treatments, including when a UTI can become serious and why getting treatment early is so important. They also talk about the link between sex and UTIs, when an infection can develop into a kidney infection or even sepsis, whether cranberry juice actually works, and what to do if you’re experiencing frequent or recurring infections. If you’ve ever experienced burning when you pee, the constant urge to wee, bladder pain or recurrent cystitis, Dr Amir explains what might be happening in your body, and when it’s time to seek medical help. This episode is brought to you by Linwoods. Adding two spoonfuls of Linwoods Milled Organic Flaxseed to your breakfast is an easy way to boost your day. It’s high in fibre and protein, rich in Omega-3 to support normal cholesterol levels, and a source of magnesium to help reduce tiredness and fatigue. Make a better start every day with Linwoods. Use code NAN20 for 20% off at linwoodshealthfoods.com Have a question, feedback, or want to suggest a topic? Email: [email protected] The content of No Appointment Necessary is for general information, it's not a substitute for a personalised medical assessment. Always consider your own medical history and personal circumstances before acting on any health information. A Made You Look Studios Production. Developed and produced by James Carpenter & Jo Scarratt-Jones Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Migraines are not “just headaches”! In this episode, Dr Amir Khan and Cherry Healey look at what’s really happening inside your brain during a migraine, from the trigeminal nerve to the brain chemical CGRP that can trigger intense pain, nausea, and visual disturbances. Find out why women are three times more likely to experience migraines than men. What role hormones and oestrogen play, especially around your period and during perimenopause. And when does a migraine become something more serious, like a “thunderclap headache” that needs urgent medical attention. We've partnered with ⁠Randox Health⁠. Take their Everyman and Everywoman health check at https://randoxhealth.com/en-GB/ just use the code NAN15 to save 15% off their health checks. Results will arrive in just 2 hours from your sample arriving at the lab. Download SAILY in your app store and use our code nan at checkout to get an exclusive 15% off your first purchase! For further details go to https://saily.com/nan Have an itchy, irritated scalp? Polytar, trusted by doctors for over 60 years, can help treat dandruff, psoriasis and seborrhoeic dermatitis at the source. Head to polytar.co.uk and use code Appointment10 for 10% off. Always Read the Label. Have a question, feedback, or want to suggest a topic? Email: [email protected] The content of No Appointment Necessary is for general information, it's not a substitute for a personalised medical assessment. Always consider your own medical history and personal circumstances before acting on any health information. A Made You Look Studios Production. Developed and produced by James Carpenter & Jo Scarratt-Jones Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dr Amir Khan and Cherry Healey take a look at what’s really going on when you just can’t sleep. It can affect everything, from your mood, your hormones, your heart, your energy, your relationships. Amir and Cherry talk about hot flushes and night sweats to snoring, sleep apnea, restless legs and 2am anxiety. You’ll hear the science behind disrupted sleep and what it means for your long-term health. Plus, they talk about what’s normal, what’s hormonal, and what might need checking out, including the red flag symptoms you shouldn’t ignore! And, they tackle the trends (mouth taping, nasal strips, wearable tech) and separate helpful habits from hype. Have a question, feedback, or want to suggest a topic? Email: [email protected] Watch & listen on YouTube, Apple and Spotify. If this helped, please like, subscribe, and share. The content of No Appointment Necessary is for general information, it's not a substitute for a personalised medical assessment. Always consider your own medical history and personal circumstances before acting on any health information. A Viral Tribe Production Developed and produced by James Carpenter & Jo Scarratt-Jones Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 01:26 Why Sleep Is “Make or Break” 01:54 What Is a Hot Flush? 03:11 Night Sweats & Red Flag Symptoms 06:01 When Should You See a GP? 06:31 How to Reduce Hot Flushes at Night 07:43 Sleep Naked or Not? 08:20 Do Menopause Cooling Products Work? 10:25 Why Do People Snore? 12:43 Sleep Together or Separately? 13:16 What Is Sleep Apnoea? 16:36 Treating Sleep Apnoea (Beyond the Mask) 17:29 Mouth Taping: Helpful or Harmful? 19:01 Do Nasal Strips Actually Work? 20:11 Can Wearable Tech Detect Sleep Problems? 21:31 Perimenopause & 2AM Anxiety 23:48 How to Manage Night-Time Anxiety 24:02 Do Weighted Blankets Help? 24:31 Restless Legs Explained 25:56 Why You Jerk Awake (Hypnic Jerks) 26:36 ChatGP 29:21 Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, Cherry and Dr. Amir are breaking down protein, and in particular protein supplements. How much do you really need? And does it really matter if you get it from a chicken fillet, a chickpea, or a large scoop of whey powder? Cherry tells us about the effects of trying the Atkins diet, and Dr. Amir drops a bombshell about eggs! Plus, they get into protein bars and what happens if you don’t up your fibre when eating loads of protein. And in this week's Chat GP, there’s a questions about diabetes and heart disease in South Asian communities. Have a question, feedback, or want to suggest a topic? Email: [email protected] Watch & listen on YouTube, Apple and Spotify. If this helped, please like, subscribe, and share. The content of No Appointment Necessary is for general information, it's not a substitute for a personalised medical assessment. Always consider your own medical history and personal circumstances before acting on any health information. A Viral Tribe Production Developed and produced by James Carpenter & Jo Scarratt-Jones Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 01:26 What Is Protein & Why It Matters 03:37 Complete vs Incomplete Proteins 06:59 Protein Hype & Social Media Myths 09:04 How Much Protein Per Day (Simple Guide) 10:17 What Hitting Your Protein Target Looks Like 13:49 Whey Protein Explained (Types & Benefits) 17:11 Protein for Muscle Building 22:45 Can You Have Too Much Protein? 34:03 Listener Question: Diet, Genetics & Health Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The HRT episode you've been waiting for! Cherry Healey and Dr. Amir Khan tackle your biggest questions about hormone replacement therapy, whether you're thinking about starting, already taking it, or just want to understand more about it. You’ll find out the game-changing gel everyone's talking about, when to start HRT, how to know if it's working, what to do about side effects, and whether you can take it forever. Dr. Amir breaks down the science, while Cherry shares her own journey and poses your questions about testosterone, joint pain and migraines. Have a question, feedback, or want to suggest a topic? Email: [email protected] Watch & listen on YouTube, Apple and Spotify. If this helped, please like, subscribe, and share. The content of No Appointment Necessary is for general information, it's not a substitute for a personalised medical assessment. Always consider your own medical history and personal circumstances before acting on any health information. A Viral Tribe Production Developed and produced by James Carpenter & Jo Scarratt-Jones Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 01:39 What is HRT? Oestrogen, progesterone & testosterone explained 04:10 Why menopause hits women so hard 05:10 When should you consider starting HRT? 07:25 Does skipping HRT affect long-term health & dementia risk? 09:18 How perimenopause can force healthier lifestyle habits 10:08 Can you start HRT after menopause? 11:38 Types of HRT: gels, patches, sprays & progesterone 14:43 HRT with endometriosis & fibroids – is it safe? 17:02 HRT and migraines – can migraine sufferers take HRT? 18:10 How long can you stay on HRT? Can you take it forever? 19:47 What happens when you stop HRT? Do symptoms return? 20:38 How long does HRT take to start working? 21:35 What if HRT stops working? Adjusting dose & absorption 22:42 Side effects of HRT & progesterone intolerance 23:23 Testosterone for women – NHS vs private access 26:47 HRT, joint pain & “menopause shoulder” 28:37 Natural alternatives to HRT & lifestyle changes 30:03 Final thoughts: Don’t suffer in silence 30:56 GP disclaimer + menopause specialists 31:00 Listener health question: ear pain, reflux & OtoVent device 33:16 Outro & where to follow the podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices