066 - Gut Health and Addiction - Lindsey Beveridge & Dr Louise Newson

Dr Louise Newson chats to Lindsey Beveridge, nutritional therapist and founder of Recovery Nutrition, in this episode of the Newson Health podcast series. Lindsey talks openly about her recovery from alcohol addiction in her late 40s and how that drove her to study nutritional therapy and then change careers. Alcohol and sugar are both substances which affect our guts, brain health, as well as every other body system, but it’s hard to remove them as they are both so addictive. Quite often these self-destructive habits escalate in our 40s – a time when we are possibly experiencing bereavement, financial pressures or relationship challenges, as well as experiencing hormonal fluctuations, so we reach for substances that temporarily make us feel better.  It’s important to recognise patterns of destructive behaviour so we can make changes.   Breaking habits and making changes require commitment and hard work, but also a degree of self-compassion and Lindsey and Dr Newson share some tools to help with this. Lindsey beveridge's Three Take Home Tips: Be honest with yourself! If you think you are drinking too much or having too much sugar then think about if it's still bringing you joy. If it's not then open your mind to change. Educate yourself as much as possible. Recognise that you don't need to do it by yourself - everyone struggles in some way and you can ask for help. Find Lindsey on Instagram: @recoverynutrition www.recovery-nutrition.co.uk