In this episode, we take a deep dive into the fascinating connection between weather and arthritis. Discover how factors like humidity, atmospheric pressure, temperature and wind can impact pain levels and inflammation for those of us with rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and other conditions in the spondyloarthritis family such as ankylosing spondylitis. We're going to look at: ✔️ The groundbreaking findings from a large 2019 study conducted by a group of University of Manchester–based researchers ✔️ My personal experiences and insights from tracking arthritis symptoms and weather over ..read more

So many of the health problems we face in modern life are caused by, or exacerbated by, gut health issues. That's because at least 50% of what makes you 'you' is microbial. More importantly, 70% of your immune system resides in your gut. That means when microbial populations are unbalanced, or the immune system is overworked, it can cause havoc and we see a burst in chronic illness, inflammation, brain fog, tiredness and pain. That's why what we put into our bodies really matters. In this episode we're going to look at: ✔️ An introduction to the microbiome ✔️ Why this the 'alien' world (insid ..read more

The lead-up to your first rheumatology appointment can be a little scary or overwhelming, if you don't know what to expect. What will your rheumatologist be like? What tests will they want to run? Are they going to push a certain medication onto you? But it can also be the start of something amazing and that's the focus of this podcast. In this episode, I look at what the process is like for getting an ankylosing spondylitis diagnosis, why you don't need to be scared in the slightest and how to best prepare yourself. While I give my experience with getting a diagnosis for ankylosing spondyliti ..read more

Changing your diet is hard, really hard. We don't all have time or headspace and modern life makes it very hard. We are bombarded with temptation, from every angle. In this episode, I look at why refined sugar and ultra-processed food are often seen as (one of many) 'smoking guns' when it comes to autoimmune disease and the impact that cutting down has had on my life. As ever for more info head to the Gut Heroes website: ? https://gutheroes.com ----------------------------------------- Disclaimer: Please note, this is for informational purposes only. Gut Heroes does not offer medical advice ..read more

Can fasting really help you beat ankylosing spondylitis (AS) flares? I've found fasting an invaluable tool in my ankylosing pain management, which is why it is the subject of today's podcast. We're going to look at: • How long I fast for, typically, before I see results • The exact approach I take when fasting (step-by-step) • What a fast involves (what to avoid etc) It's important you only fast if it is safe for you to do so. Check with a medical professional first. Tip: First time? If in doubt, go with 'water only' during your fast and do 72 hours. As ever for more info head to the Gut Heroe ..read more

Starting an elimination diet, where you're trying to figure out which foods trigger problems for your autoimmune disease or health issue, can be daunting... but the benefits are, for many of us, SO worth it. These are 6 hard won rules that I suggest following when you're starting out. Stick to these and you can get to where you want to be much faster than the 'needle in the haystack' trap that most of us fall into ..read more

How virtually ANYONE could reap the amazing benefits of sauna and cold exposure. I share my exact method with you, down to the timings and routine, in this simple 10 minute episode. This really is an incredible protocol for promoting cardiovascular health. It can also be especially beneficial for anyone with an autoimmune disease (like ankylosing spondylitis). It can literally help 'melt' away stiffness and pain. It's also great for boosting mood and energy levels ..read more

Welcome to the first episode of the Gut Heroes audio podcast! I talk about the idea behind Gut Heroes: how it came about, why I created it and most importantly, how I hope to help you ..read more