What if better health starts with the basics?

What if the next step in supporting your health isn't another complicated protocol, another supplement, or another thing to add to your already busy routine?

What if it's about getting the foundations right first?

In Part 2 of my conversation with Dr. Leah Austin, we explore how our genes, nutrients, stress responses and environment work together — and why understanding these connections can change the way we approach our health.

We look at how nutrients such as vitamin D and magnesium influence biological processes, why environmental exposures deserve attention, and how variations in genes like COMT and MAO can affect the way some people respond to stress.

One important takeaway?

The same intervention doesn't work for everyone.

Something that supports one person's energy or focus might leave another feeling more anxious, wired or overwhelmed. This is why personalised testing and practitioner guidance matter, rather than following every supplement trend we see online.

But before diving into complex testing or detox protocols, Leah encourages us to start with something much simpler: supporting the nervous system and building habits the body can rely on.

She shares three foundational habits she considers particularly important:

• Time-restricted eating, when appropriate for the individual.
• A breakfast centred on protein and fibre.
• Prioritising eight hours of sleep.

We also explore why chronic stress, modern environments and disrupted sleep can place additional demands on the body, and why building resilience should come before trying to fix everything at once.

And when it comes to cancer, we return to an important point: it is a multifactorial disease. No single habit, nutrient or genetic result tells the whole story.

The goal isn't to live in fear of everything that might affect our health.

It's to become more informed, make thoughtful choices, and focus on the things we can reasonably influence.

Listen here

With care,

Dr. Safia

Coach | Breathwork Facilitator | Doctor | Speaker

Bsc MBBS DCH DRCOG MRCGP MPH DipOccMed