Are you at high risk of breast cancer? Follow this early detection guide | Dr. Thaïs Aliabadi
Do you really know your breast cancer risk? Many women think they do – trusting family history, regular checkups, and mammograms to keep them safe. But what if these measures leave dangerous blind spots, leading to later, more aggressive diagnoses? Today's episode is a powerful wake-up call.
Joining us is globally renowned OBGYN, Dr. Thaïs Aliabadi. Known simply as “Dr. A” to her global following, she's OBGYN to royals and celebrities, and a leading voice on women’s health featured on The Kardashians, The Doctors, and Dr. Phil. Dr. Aliabadi shares her own shocking story: how, despite following all the rules, she uncovered a hidden cancer risk that standard screening completely missed.
Today you'll learn why your lifetime risk may be higher than you’ve been told, how diet and lifestyle could change your trajectory, and the essential steps to take today to safeguard your health. This is information every woman needs - don’t wait until it’s too late.
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Timecodes
00:00 Food's Influence on Breast Cancer Risk
00:47 Mammogram Limitations & Misconceptions
04:11 Shifting Mammogram Age Guidelines
10:02 Mammogram Limitations and Dense Breasts
11:56 How to Know if You Have Dense Breasts
13:23 Dr. Aliabadi's Personal Cancer Journey
15:37 Discovering a High Lifetime Risk
17:28 The Emotional Impact of Cancer Talk
19:11 The Day of Surgery and Unexpected News
22:32 The Importance of Being Your Own Advocate
25:10 A Second Mastectomy for Missed Tissue
27:00 Olivia Munn: A Public Story of Early Detection
31:00 Genetic Testing Beyond Family History
34:09 How to Calculate Your Lifetime Risk
37:25 High-Risk Patient Screening Strategies
40:02 Factors Increasing Breast Cancer Risk
43:03 Hormonal Birth Control and HRT Safety
46:00 When to See a Doctor for Lumps
49:10 The Power of Personalized Health
📚Books by our ZOE Scientists
The Food For Life Cookbook
Every Body Should Know This by Dr Federica Amati
Food For Life by Prof. Tim Spector
Free resources from ZOE
Live Healthier: Top 10 Tips From ZOE Science & Nutrition
Gut Guide - For a Healthier Microbiome in Weeks
Have feedback or a topic you'd like us to cover? Let us know here.
Episode transcripts are available here.
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Recap: How to get the most out of olive oil | Elizabeth Berger & Tim Spector
Today we’re talking about olive oil.
Touted as one of the hottest health foods right now, olive oil has been linked to a range of benefits - from reducing inflammation and boosting heart health to even increasing longevity.
But is it truly liquid gold, or just another fad?
I’m joined by olive oil grower Elizabeth Berger and Professor Tim Spector to explore the science behind this ancient elixir and share practical tips for getting the most out of your drizzle.
🥑 Make smarter food choices. Become a member a zoe.com - 10% off with code PODCAST
🌱 Try our new plant based wholefood supplement - Daily30+
*Naturally high in copper which contributes to normal energy yielding metabolism and the normal function of the immune system
📚 Books from our ZOE Scientists:
The Food For Life Cookbook by Prof. Tim Spector
Food For Life by Prof. Tim Spector
Every Body Should Know This by Dr Federica Amati
Free resources from ZOE:
Live Healthier: Top 10 Tips From ZOE Science & Nutrition
Gut Guide - for a healthier microbiome in weeks
Have feedback or a topic you'd like us to cover? Let us know here
Listen to the full episode here
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Can a traditional African diet help protect against inflammation? | Quirijn de Mast & Tim Spector
In this groundbreaking episode, Jonathan, Tim, and guest researcher Professor Quirijn de Mast explore a landmark clinical trial conducted in partnership with Tanzanian scientists and community members at the Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre (KCMC).
Published in Nature Medicine, the study investigates what happens when people switch between Western-style eating and a traditional diet from the Kilimanjaro region of Northern Tanzania — rich in fermented foods, legumes, ancient grains, and green vegetables.
The results? Rapid, measurable changes to immune function, inflammation, and gut health — with powerful implications for global disease risk.We dive into the science behind millet porridge, fermented banana beer, and the fibre-rich meals that Tanzanian communities have eaten for generations.
Quirijn shares insights from his 20-year collaboration with local researchers.
This episode explores scientific research on traditional East African diets and inflammation, led by Quirijn in close collaboration with Tanzanian scientists and participants. As Western scientists and hosts, we are aware of the need for humility when discussing cultural traditions not our own, and we approach this conversation with respect and curiosity.
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Timecodes
00:00 Can This African Diet Transform Your Health in 2 Weeks?
02:47 What Makes African Diets Healthier Than Mediterranean?
05:17 The Mediterranean Diet: Are We Getting It Wrong?
07:57 Africa’s Forgotten Superfood: Ancient Grain Porridge
10:37 Are These Ancient Grains the Original Superfoods?
13:17 Diet Changes That Predict Disease — Here’s How
15:58 What Pre-Western Diets Reveal About Human Health
18:31 We Built a Pop-Up Restaurant on Mount Kilimanjaro
21:00 This Fermented Banana Beer Might Boost Immunity
23:23 Inflammation Skyrockets After Just 2 Weeks on This Diet
26:07 Can a Fermented Drink Reverse Western Diet Damage?
28:47 How Food Labels Trick You Into Thinking You're Healthy
31:38 Is Your Immune System Running on the Wrong Fuel?
34:12 These Roots Are Healthier Than Potatoes — Here’s Why
36:51 Your Porridge Is Making You Unhealthy (Without You Knowing)
39:35 What People Actually Eat on a Traditional African Diet
42:21 Pasteurised Fermented Foods — The Surprising Downside
45:06 Most People Don’t Eat Enough Fiber. Do You?
47:49 Why One Diet Doesn’t Work for Everyone
50:33 The #1 Diet Swap to Transform Your Health
📚Books by our ZOE Scientists
The Food For Life Cookbook
Every Body Should Know This by Dr Federica Amati
Food For Life by Prof. Tim Spector
Free resources from ZOE
Live Healthier: Top 10 Tips From ZOE Science & Nutrition
Gut Guide - For a Healthier Microbiome in Weeks
Mentioned in today's episodeImmune and metabolic effects of African heritage diets versus Western diets in men: a randomized controlled trial, Nature Medicine (2025)
Global Impacts of Western Diet and Its Effects on Metabolism and Health: A Narrative Review, Nutrients (2023)
Have feedback or a topic you'd like us to cover? Let us know here.
Episode transcripts are available here.
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Recap: Is the new obesity medication too good to be true? | Dr. Louis J Aronne
Today we’re talking about obesity medication.
Did you know that over 200 illnesses are linked to unhealthy weight gain? It's no surprise that combatting obesity has become a major focus of modern medical research.
In recent years, this research has led to a new generation of weight-loss medications that are delivering dramatic results. But are these drugs truly revolutionary or just too good to be true?
One thing is certain - people have a lot of questions. Today, I’m joined by Dr. Lou Aronne to help us separate the hype from the hard facts.
🥑 Make smarter food choices. Become a member a zoe.com - 10% off with code PODCAST
🌱 Try our new plant based wholefood supplement - Daily30+
*Naturally high in copper which contributes to normal energy yielding metabolism and the normal function of the immune system
📚 Books from our ZOE Scientists:
The Food For Life Cookbook by Prof. Tim Spector
Food For Life by Prof. Tim Spector
Every Body Should Know This by Dr Federica Amati
Free resources from ZOE:
Live Healthier: Top 10 Tips From ZOE Science & Nutrition
Gut Guide - for a healthier microbiome in weeks
Have feedback or a topic you'd like us to cover? Let us know here
Listen to the full episode here
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How to lower blood pressure, improve heart health and reduce dementia risk | Prof. Tim Spector
What if your blood pressure — even just a little too high — is quietly damaging your brain? What if it’s increasing your risk of a heart attack or stroke, without you ever feeling a thing?
In this episode, Professor Tim Spector reveals why blood pressure is one of the most overlooked – and most dangerous – health issues today. He explains why “normal for your age” might not be safe at all, why medication alone isn’t the full answer, and how small, daily changes could dramatically reduce your risk of serious disease.
Can your gut microbes raise your blood pressure? Can a banana be as powerful as a pill? Is beetroot juice really three times more effective than cutting salt?
You’ll also learn why 80% of the salt we eat isn’t from the shaker, how stress and sleep secretly push your pressure up, and what most doctors still miss when treating hypertension.
If you’ve ever been told your blood pressure’s “fine” — or never measured it at all — this episode might change the way you think about your future health.
🥑 Make smarter food choices. Become a member at zoe.com - 10% off with code PODCAST
🌱 Try our new plant based wholefood supplement - Daily 30+
Follow ZOE on Instagram.
Timecodes
00:00 Introduction
03:29 What actually is high blood pressure?
05:57 Why everyone should own a blood pressure monitor
07:01 What your blood pressure reading really means
09:59 Stress and high blood pressure
11:28 The $20 gadget that can save your life
13:17 When to see a doctor
14:35 What causes high blood pressure
16:57 Salt and blood pressure
18:28 Why reducing salt didn’t work for Tim
20:09 Blood pressure medications
22:04 Why high blood pressure is so dangerous
24:20 How blood pressure quietly damages your brain
27:18 Is it too late to lower your blood pressure?
31:31 How your gut microbes affect blood pressure
34:14 Why potassium matters more than salt
36:29 How sleep, stress & saunas impact your blood pressure
38:58 The real source of excess salt in your diet
41:37 Should you switch to potassium salt?
49:30 Beetroot juice: better than salt restriction?
📚Books by our ZOE Scientists
The Food For Life Cookbook
Every Body Should Know This by Dr Federica Amati
Food For Life by Prof. Tim Spector
Free resources from ZOE
Live Healthier: Top 10 Tips From ZOE Science & Nutrition
Gut Guide - For a Healthier Microbiome in Weeks
Studies referenced in today's episode:
Nonpharmacologic Interventions for Reducing Blood Pressure in Adults With Prehigh blood pressure to Established high blood pressure, Journal of the American Heart Association (2020)
Long-Term Effect of Intensive vs Standard Blood Pressure Control on Mild Cognitive Impairment and Probable Dementia in SPRINT, Neurology (2025)
Blood pressure reduction and all-cause dementia in people with uncontrolled high blood pressure: an open-label, blinded-endpoint, cluster-randomized trial, Nature Medicine (2025)
high blood pressure Associated With Hearing Loss and Tinnitus Among Hypertensive Adults at a Tertiary Hospital in South Africa, Frontiers in Neurology (2022)
Have feedback or a topic you'd like us to cover? Let us know here.
Episode transcripts are available here.
The world’s top scientists explain the latest health, nutrition, and gut health research and translate it into practical advice to improve your health & weight. Join ZOE Science & Nutrition, on a journey of scientific discovery. Hosted by Jonathan Wolf.
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