Extend Podcast with Darshan Shah, MD

Latest Episodes:

88. Ben Azadi: The $4.6 Trillion Healthcare Crisis and How to Reverse Metabolic Disease in 30 Days Aug 21, 2025

Show notes

93% of Americans are metabolically unhealthy and don't even know it. In this episode of EXTEND, I sit down with Ben Azadi, metabolic health expert and New York Times bestselling author who transformed his life by losing 80 pounds after facing obesity, depression, and pre-diabetes at just 23 years old.

We explore how one out of every four healthcare dollars is spent on diabetes and why your doctor probably isn't checking the one biomarker that could predict metabolic issues. We also dive into practical strategies for breaking free from the sugar-burning trap.

Ben Azadi is a metabolic health coach, New York Times bestselling author of "Metabolic Freedom," and founder of the Keto Kamp podcast. After overcoming obesity and depression through lifestyle changes 17 years ago, he has dedicated his life to helping others achieve metabolic flexibility through ancient healing strategies like ketosis and fasting, combined with modern science.

We Also Discuss:

Why Fasting Insulin Is the Most Important Test Your Doctor Isn't Ordering
The Whitehall 2 Study: 6-14 Years of Hidden Insulin Resistance
"Mentally Obese": Understanding Depression's Connection to Food
Why There Are No "Essential Carbohydrates" in Medical Textbooks
Continuous Glucose Monitors: The Accountability Tool That Changes Everything
The 44.4 Pound Weight Loss in 30 Days Case Study
Metabolic Confusion: Why Diet Variation Beats Diet Dogma
The Simple Swap from Sugar Burning to Fat Burning
Single Ingredient Foods: The Beginner's Best Strategy

Thank You for Our Sponsors:

IM8: Try IM8 today with a 30-day money back guarantee. You can get 20% off your first order with code DRSHAH at https://im8health.com/discount/DRSHAH.

Function Health: Learn more and join using functionhealth.com/drshah. The first 1000 get a $100 credit toward their membership. Visit https://www.functionhealth.com/drshah or use gift code DRSHAH100 at sign-up to own your health.

Learn more about Dr. Shah:

Website: https://www.drshah.com/

Clinic: https://www.next-health.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darshanshahmd/

Learn more about Ben Azadi:

Website: https://benazadi.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebenazadi/

87. Layne Kilpatrick: The Shocking Truth About Microplastics Destroying Young Men's Hormones Aug 19, 2025

Show notes

What if I told you that an 18-year-old athlete had a testosterone level of 26 - when it should be near 1,000? In this episode of Extend, I sit down with Layne Kilpatrick, a pharmacist with over 30 years of experience who has been sounding the alarm about environmental toxins for years.

We dive into the alarming decline in testosterone levels, how microplastics are literally everywhere, and why young, healthy men are showing up with fertility issues that would have been unthinkable decades ago. We also share actionable solutions to protect ourselves and our families.

Layne Kilpatrick is a pharmacist and the driving force behind Hormone Specialist. He specializes in breaking down the science of hormones and everyday toxins, empowering both men and women to understand the root causes of hormone imbalances and take actionable steps to restore their vitality in a world filled with endocrine disruptors.

We Also Discuss:

Why Testosterone Levels Have Dropped 50% in 50 Years
The 18-Year-Old Athlete with a Testosterone Level of 26
Microplastics vs. Nanoplastics: Size Matters for Toxicity
The Paint on Glass Bottle Lids That's Contaminating Your Water
PFAS: The "Forever Chemicals" Found in 100% of Breast Milk Samples
The $200 Desktop Solution That Filters Microplastics
HEPA Filtration: Why You Need Carbon Filters Too
BPA-Free Doesn't Mean Safe: The Regrettable Substitution Problem
Paper Cups and Straws: The Hidden Plastic Linings
The Four-Step Action Plan to Protect Your Family Today

Resources:

Persistent Inert Substances Comparison: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_kDzJzqFQN9m59IxfCtJKgc-n4qAlxgn/edit

Thank You for Our Sponsors:

IM8: Try IM8 today with a 30-day money back guarantee. You can get 20% off your first order with code DRSHAH at https://im8health.com/discount/DRSHAH.

Learn more about Dr. Shah:

Website: https://www.drshah.com/

Clinic: https://www.next-health.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darshanshahmd/

Learn more about Layne Kilpatrick:

Website: https://www.hormonespecialist.net/

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/hormonespecialist/

86. Tracey Stroup, ND: Why the Ozempic Craze Almost Ruined Peptide Therapy (And How Functional Medicine Got It Right) Aug 14, 2025

Show notes

Did you know that functional practitioners have been using GLP-1 peptides safely for years—long before the Ozempic phenomenon hit mainstream medicine? In this episode of Extend, I talk with Dr. Tracey Stroup, a naturopathic doctor and peptide therapy expert, who reveals how the pharmaceutical industry's approach to semaglutide created unnecessary controversy.

We dive into what peptides actually are, why your body might be deficient, and how the "dose everyone to the max and leave them there forever" approach completely missed the mark. We also discuss the functional medicine approach to peptide therapy, including proper dosing, cycling protocols, and why you need comprehensive support—not just a prescription.

Tracey Stroup, ND is a naturopathic doctor with over 27 years in health and wellness. She's been using peptide therapy in her practice for 5 years and is passionate about educating both practitioners and patients on the proper use of these powerful therapeutic tools.

We Also Discuss:

What Peptides Really Are: Natural Biological Signals, Not Synthetic Drugs
Why the Ozempic Craze Created Unnecessary Peptide Controversy
The Functional Medicine Approach vs. Pharmaceutical Protocols
How to Use GLP-1s Properly: Dosing, Cycling, and Off-boarding
Why Most People Are Peptide Deficient (And Don't Know It)
BPC-157: The "Wolverine Peptide" for Gut Health and Injury Recovery
Growth Hormone Peptides: CJC, Ipamorelin, and Natural Hormone Balance
Injectable vs. Oral Peptides: When and Why Each Route Matters
Why DIY Peptide Therapy Can Backfire (And What to Do Instead)
The Insulin Connection: Why Peptide Therapy Isn't Actually New

Thank You To Our Sponsors:

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Learn more about Dr. Shah:

Website: https://www.drshah.com/

Clinic: https://www.next-health.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darshanshahmd/

Learn more about Tracey Stroup, ND:

Website: https://courses.traceystroupnd.com/ftn-home

Podcast: https://eatprayfaithwithtraceystroupnd.buzzsprout.com/

Instagram: traceystroup_eatprayfaith

85. Cynthia Thurlow: What Your Doctor Isn't Telling You About Menopause and Metabolic Health Aug 12, 2025

Show notes

What if the symptoms you've been told to "just deal with" during perimenopause could actually be addressed? In this episode of Extend, I sit down with Cynthia Thurlow, a nurse practitioner who left traditional cardiology to focus on women's health and metabolic medicine.

We explore why the medical system has failed women during menopause, the critical biomarkers your doctor probably isn't checking, and how the misinterpretation of one major study has left generations of women suffering unnecessarily. We also discuss why LDL cholesterol might not be the villain it's made out to be and how hormone replacement therapy could be one of the most important interventions for long-term health.

Cynthia Thurlow is a nurse practitioner and intermittent fasting expert. She's the author of "Intermittent Fasting Transformation" and hosts the "Everyday Wellness" podcast. She specializes in helping women navigate perimenopause and menopause through lifestyle medicine and bioidentical hormone replacement therapy.

We Also Discuss:

The Women's Health Initiative Disaster: How One Study Damaged Generations of Women
Why Your "Normal" Fasting Glucose of 95 Means You're Already in Trouble
ApoB and Lp(a): The Heart Disease Markers Your Doctor Isn't Checking
Dutch Testing vs. Blood Work: Which Hormone Tests Actually Matter
The $100 Calcium Score That Should Be Routine After 40
Why 60-Year-Olds CAN Start Hormone Replacement Therapy
GLP-1 Medications: Beyond Weight Loss to Metabolic Healing
The Intermittent Fasting Mistakes That Wreck Women's Hormones
Pellet Therapy vs. Patches: The Hormone Delivery Debate
Why Statins Are the Most Over-Prescribed Drugs in History
Dysautonomia and HRV: The Nervous System Signals You're Missing
The Gut-Menopause Connection No One Talks About

Thank You for Our Sponsors:

Pendulum: Use code DARSHAN or use the link https://pendulumlife.com/discount/DARSHAN to get 20% off

IM8: Try IM8 today with a 30-day money back guarantee. You can get 20% off your first order with code DRSHAH at https://im8health.com/discount/DRSHAH.

Learn more about Dr. Shah:

Website: https://www.drshah.com/

Clinic: https://www.next-health.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darshanshahmd/

Learn more about Cynthia Thurlow:

Website: https://www.cynthiathurlow.com/

Podcast: https://www.cynthiathurlow.com/podcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cynthia_thurlow_/

84. Dr. Nick Norwitz: Why 'Evidence-Based' Medicine Fails Most People (And What to Do Instead) Aug 07, 2025

Show notes

The top 10 grossing drugs only help 1 in 4 to 1 in 25 people who take them. Yet they're still considered "evidence-based" and prescribed to millions. In this episode of Extend, I talk with Dr. Nick Norwitz, who reveals why you can't rely on population averages to fix your individual health problems.

We explore why the medical system isn't designed to figure out what makes you unique, why "calories in, calories out" fails as a biological model, and how to become your own health scientist using the N=1 approach. We also discuss practical strategies for experimenting with your own biology, from testing ketogenic approaches to understanding why your results might be completely different from everyone else's.

Dr. Nick Norwitz is a Harvard-trained MD/PhD who transformed his own health using metabolic interventions after conventional medicine failed him. He's known for his extreme self-experiments and scientific approach to personalized health optimization.

We Also Discuss:

Why Most "Evidence-Based" Treatments Don't Work for You
The N=1 Approach: Becoming Your Own Health Scientist
Why Population Averages Can't Predict Individual Results
The Calorie Counting Myth That's Keeping You Stuck
Ketogenic Diets: When They Work (And When They Don't)
How to Design Your Own Health Experiments
Why Bio-Individuality Trumps One-Size-Fits-All Solutions
Escaping the "Normal" Trap in Modern Medicine

Thank You To Our Sponsors:

IM8: Try IM8 today with a 30-day money back guarantee. You can get 20% off your first order with code DRSHAH at https://im8health.com/discount/DRSHAH.

Learn more about Dr. Shah:

Website: https://www.drshah.com/

Clinic: https://www.next-health.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darshanshahmd/

Learn more about Dr. Nick Norwitz:

Website:https://www.nicknorwitz.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@nicknorwitzMDPhD/featured

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicknorwitz/

83. Dr. Joel Kahn: Why Most Cardiologists Are Missing the Real Causes of Heart Disease Aug 05, 2025

Show notes

What if everything you've been told about preventing heart disease is only half the story? In this episode of Extend, I sit down with Dr. Joel Kahn, a pioneering preventive cardiologist who's spent decades challenging the traditional approach to cardiovascular medicine.

We explore why the 1961 Framingham risk factors represent an incomplete picture of heart disease, and the hidden culprits damaging your blood vessels every day. We also dive into why a $100 calcium score should be as routine as a mammogram, how your cooking methods could be aging your arteries, and the surprising connection between erectile dysfunction and heart attacks.

Dr. Joel Kahn is a preventive cardiologist, author, and founder of the Kahn Center for Cardiac Longevity. He is one of the few cardiologists advocating for plant-based nutrition and comprehensive lifestyle medicine. He's written multiple books including "The Whole Heart Solution" and hosts "Heart Doc VIP" podcast.

We Also Discuss:

Beyond Cholesterol: The 20+ Hidden Risk Factors Your Doctor Isn't Checking
The $100 Test That Could Save Your Life (And Why Insurance Won't Cover It)
Advanced Glycation End Products: How Your Barbecue Is Aging Your Arteries
The Glycocalyx: Your Body's Secret Vascular Protection System
Why Every Man with ED Needs a Calcium Score
TMAO and the Dark Side of Choline Supplements
Blood Pressure Devices That Work Without Pills
The Trauma Surgeon with Perfect Arteries Despite Sky-High Cholesterol
EECP Therapy: The NASA Technology Rebuilding Hearts
Nitric Oxide: The Nobel Prize-Winning Molecule You're Probably Destroying
ApoB vs. LDL: The One Number That Matters Most
Why Listerine Might Be Sabotaging Your Blood Pressure

Thank You for Our Sponsors:

NextHealth: Your destination for cutting-edge health optimization—from IV therapy to hormone balancing. Explore at https://www.next-health.com/

Learn more about Dr. Shah:

Website: https://www.drshah.com/

Clinic: https://www.next-health.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darshanshahmd/

Learn more about Dr. Joel Kahn:

Website: https://www.drjoelkahn.com/

Instagram: @drjkahn

82. Dr. Amy Shah: The Real Reason Women Lose Strength in Perimenopause (And How to Get It Back) Jul 31, 2025

Show notes

Why can't you open that jar anymore? Why does getting up from a chair feel harder than it used to? In this episode of Extend, I sit down with Dr. Amy Shah to explore the strength crisis happening to women in perimenopause.

We dive into the simple tests that reveal where you're losing ground—and why most women are shocked by their results. We also share the exercise formula that actually works for perimenopausal women, honing in on the key fact that it has to be movement you enjoy, because sustainability beats intensity every time.

Dr. Amy Shah is a double board-certified physician specializing in allergy/immunology and internal medicine, and author of I'm So Effing Tired. She's a leading voice in women's health, focusing on the intersection of hormones, gut health, and metabolism.

We Also Discuss:

The Grip Strength Test That Predicts Your Longevity (Most Women Fail)
The Sit-to-Stand Test: Your Lower Body Strength Report Card
Exercise Snacks: Why 10 Squats Every Hour Beats a 30-Minute Walk
The Weighted Vest Mistake That's Wasting Your Time
Why Jumping on a Trampoline Builds Stronger Bones Than Running
Intermittent Fasting for Women: Why Daily Fasting Backfires

Thank You To Our Sponsors:

IM8: Try IM8 today with a 30-day money back guarantee. You can get 20% off your first order with code DRSHAH at https://im8health.com/discount/DRSHAH.

Learn more about Dr. Shah:

Website: https://www.drshah.com/

Clinic: https://www.next-health.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darshanshahmd/

Learn more about Dr. Amy Shah:

Website:https://amymdwellness.com/

Book: I'm So Effing TiredX: https://x.com/amyshahmd

81. Dr. Zain Kassam: How Your Gut Bacteria Control Your Brain, Weight, and Longevity Jul 29, 2025

Show notes

What if I told you there's an organ in your body with more cells than the Milky Way has stars—and most doctors barely think about it? In this episode of Extend, I sit down with Dr. Zain Kassam, a gastroenterologist turned microbiome researcher who's pioneering how we understand the trillions of organisms living in and on us.

We dive into why your gut bacteria aren't just bystanders—they're actively producing molecules that affect your mood, metabolism, immune system, and even longevity. We also explore the gut-brain connection, why not all probiotics are created equal, and how the microbiome influences everything from depression to skin health.

Dr. Zain Kassam is a gastroenterologist, microbiome researcher, and Chief Medical Officer at Seed Health. He trained at McMaster University, Harvard, and MIT, where he pioneered clinical applications of microbiome science. He's led groundbreaking research on fecal transplants and develops evidence-based probiotic therapies.

We Also Discuss:

The Microbiome Revolution: From Forgotten to Life-Saving
Why Your Gut Has More Cells Than the Milky Way Has Stars
How Gut Bacteria Control Your Brain and Mood
The Butyrate Connection: Your Microbiome's Master Molecule
Why Most Probiotics Are Marketing Hype (And How to Choose Better)
The 4D Framework: Diversity, Delivery, Do-Gooders, and Data
Microbiome Testing: Crystal Ball or Expensive Guesswork?
From C. Diff to Cancer: When Gut Health Becomes Life or Death
The GLP-1 Secret: How Your Gut Makes Its Own Ozempic
Post-Antibiotic Recovery: Rebuilding After the Nuclear Bomb

Thank You for Our Sponsors:

Pendulum: Use code DARSHAN or use the link https://pendulumlife.com/discount/DARSHAN to get 20% off

IM8: Try IM8 today with a 30-day money back guarantee. You can get 20% off your first order with code DRSHAH at https://im8health.com/discount/DRSHAH.

Learn more about Dr. Shah:

Website: https://www.drshah.com/

Clinic: https://www.next-health.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darshanshahmd/

Learn more about Dr. Zain Kassam:

X: https://x.com/DrZainSays/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seed/

Get 25% off DS-01 with code EXTEND25 at Seed.com

80. Dr. Nayan Patel: Your Cells Are Drowning (And One Molecule Can Save Them) Jul 24, 2025

Show notes

Oxidative stress. Toxin overload. Immune dysfunction. These aren't separate problems—they're all symptoms of your body working overtime on one exhausting job.

In this episode of Extend, I sit down with Dr. Nayan Patel, a pharmacist who's dedicated his career to understanding glutathione—the molecule your body produces more than any other.

We break down the three proven ways glutathione protects you, why IV and oral supplements have been failing for decades, and the gene mutations that leave 20% of people unable to benefit from traditional glutathione therapy. Most importantly, we discuss the stable glutathione breakthrough that's helping doctors reverse decades of brain fog in minutes.

Nayan Patel, Pharm.D, is a pioneering pharmacist and researcher who discovered the first stable form of glutathione in 2007. His 25-year journey to unlock this master antioxidant has led to revolutionary insights about aging, detoxification, and immune function.

We Also Discuss:

Why Your Body's #1 Job Is Slowly Killing You (And How to Take It Over)
The 100+ Daily Toxins Your Liver Must Process (You Can't Avoid Them)
Glutathione's Triple Threat: Antioxidant, Detox, and Immune Power
Why IV Glutathione Fails: The Shocking Truth About What Really Happens
The Gene Factor: 20% of People Can't Use Traditional Glutathione (Are You One?)
From Brain Fog to Clarity: Why Some See Results in 5 Minutes

Thank You To Our Sponsors:

IM8: Try IM8 today with a 30-day money back guarantee. You can get 20% off your first order with code DRSHAH at https://im8health.com/discount/DRSHAH.

Learn more about Dr. Shah:

Website: https://www.drshah.com/

Clinic: https://www.next-health.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darshanshahmd/

Learn more about Nayan Patel, Pharm.D:

Website:https://aurowellness.com/ Instagram: @aurowellness

Book: https://aurowellness.com/glutathione-revolution/

79. Dr. Scott Sherr: Hyperbaric Therapy: This is How Pressure + Oxygen Unlock Healing Jul 22, 2025

Show notes

Low energy, brain fog, and poor recovery aren't just part of getting older—they're often signs that your cells are underperforming. And one major reason? They're starved for oxygen.

In this episode of Extend, I talk with Dr. Scott Sherr, a hyperbaric medicine specialist who helps patients and doctors worldwide use oxygen therapy to restore cellular health. We get into what hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) actually does—not just more oxygen, but how it shifts gene expression, activates stem cells, and supports mitochondrial repair.

We also discuss who shouldn't jump into HBOT too soon, and why testing antioxidant capacity and metabolic function is essential before starting. This isn't a quick fix—it's a targeted tool that works when your system is ready.

If you're dealing with lingering symptoms or want to stay sharp and resilient long-term, this episode gives you a clear understanding of how HBOT fits into a true healthspan strategy.

Dr. Scott Sherr is a board-certified internist and global expert in hyperbaric oxygen therapy, with over 20 years of clinical experience. He helps patients and physicians use HBOT to improve recovery, brain health, and long-term cellular function.

We Also Discuss:

The Real Goal: Longevity and Feeling Amazing
Why Most Longevity Advice Misses the Mark
Oxygen as Medicine? Inside Hyperbaric Therapy
What Actually Happens in a Hyperbaric Chamber
Can Oxygen Reverse Inflammation and Fatigue?
Using Hyperbaric for Energy, Focus, and Recovery

Thank You to Our Sponsor:

IM8: Try IM8 today with a 30-day money back guarantee. You can get 20% off your first order with code DRSHAH at https://im8health.com/discount/DRSHAH.

Learn more about Dr. Shah:

Website: https://www.drshah.com/

Clinic: https://www.next-health.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darshanshahmd/

Learn more about Dr. Scott Sherr:

Website: https://www.hyperbaricmedicalsolutions.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drscottsherr/