Extend Podcast with Darshan Shah, MD

Most people assume joint pain, fatigue, and limited mobility are inevitable with age. But what if protecting your joints, optimizing recovery, and maintaining energy were about targeting the right systems early, rather than treating symptoms later?
In this episode of Extend, we sit down with Dr. Elizabeth Yurth, co-founder and chief medical officer of the Boulder Longevity Institute and a Stanford-trained sports and spine physician. With over 30 years of experience merging orthopedic expertise with longevity science, Dr. Yurth brings a unique perspective on preventing joint degeneration, accelerating healing, and supporting long-term metabolic and musculoskeletal health.
We talk about why most arthritis isn't caused by overuse, how the MEAT protocol replaces traditional approaches to injury, and why peptides, ketones, and regenerative therapies can dramatically improve recovery and joint function. We also explore strategies to protect joints before pain begins, maintain mobility over decades, and optimize overall energy and performance.
 
What We Discuss:
(00:00) Why Joint Pain, Fatigue, and Brain Fog Are Not Inevitable
(05:38) How Ketones Optimize Mitochondrial Function and Energy Production
(12:05) Hormone Balance for Joint, Bone, and Muscle Health
(19:42) Reducing Inflammation and Activating Stem Cells Naturally
(26:18) How Pentosan Polysulfate Can Regenerate Cartilage and Protect Joints
(33:50) Blood Flow Restriction, Red Light Therapy, and Recovery Tools
(40:27) Practical Strategies for Metabolic Flexibility and Long-Term Healing
(48:15) Common Mistakes in Hormone Replacement and Nutritional Optimization
 
Thank You to Our Sponsors:
Function Health: Learn more and join using my link. Visit www.functionhealth.com/drshah and use gift code DRSHAH25 for a $25 credit toward your membership.
Vitaboom: Vitaboom: For supplements you can trust and wellness solutions tailored to your health, visit https://vitaboom.com/
 
Learn more about Dr. Shah:
Website: https://www.drshah.com/
Clinic: https://www.next-health.com/
Instagram:@darshanshahmd
 
Learn more about Dr. Elizabeth Yurth::
Instagram: Dr. Elizabeth Yurth 
@boulderlongevity
Linkedin: Elizabeth Yurth, MD, ABAARM, FAARM, FAARFM
Boulder Longevity Institute: https://boulderlongevity.com/ 
Human Optimization Academy:  https://bli.academy/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@boulderlongevityinstitute 
https://www.youtube.com/@dryurth
Facebook: 
https://www.facebook.com/BoulderLongevityInstitute 
https://www.facebook.com/elizabeth.yurth.3

How much control do you really have over your alcohol consumption and its effects on your health? Many people assume drinking is just part of social life, but science shows there are practical steps to reduce intake while still enjoying your routine.
In this solo episode of Extend, Dr. Darshan Shah, longevity expert and founder of Next Health, breaks down why smarter drinking is a key strategy for improving sleep, metabolism, and long-term wellbeing. He explains how alcohol impacts the body, from disrupting sleep and recovery to impairing executive function, metabolism, and reward pathways. Timing, pace, and intentional strategies are critical, and even small, consistent adjustments can create significant benefits over time.
Dr. Shah shares actionable, science-backed strategies that can be implemented without disrupting your lifestyle. These include stopping drinking hours before bed, slowing your pace, pre-deciding limits, using behavioral substitutions, pairing alcohol with meals, avoiding sugary mixers, tracking intake, and leveraging medical tools like naltrexone or GLP-1 receptor agonists when appropriate. Small, consistent changes over weeks and months can have a major impact on overall health and recovery.



What We Discuss:
(00:00) Introduction: Why Smarter Drinking Matters for Health and Recovery
(02:15) How Alcohol Impacts Sleep, Metabolism, and Reward Pathways
(06:40) Timing and Pace: Stop Drinking Before Bed and Space Drinks Strategically
(11:05) Pre-Deciding Limits and Using Behavioral Substitutions for Social Situations
(15:30) Pairing Alcohol with Meals and Avoiding Sugary Mixers
(20:12) Tracking Intake and Using Data to Make Sustainable Changes
(24:45) Medical Tools: Naltrexone and GLP-1 Receptor Agonists for Support
(29:30) Putting It All Together: Practical Strategies for Cutting Back Safely
(33:55) Long-Term Benefits: Improved Recovery, Energy, and Overall Health
 
Thank You to Our Sponsors:
IM8: Try IM8 today with a 30-day money back guarantee. You can get 10% 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:@darshanshahmd

Most people think weight loss is about discipline, calories, or finding the right medication. But what if the real issue is that we've misunderstood how hormones, digestion, and recovery actually regulate metabolism in the first place?
In this episode of Extend, we sit down with registered dietitian Ashley Koff to unpack what GLP-1 medications are really doing in the body and why bariatric surgery revealed metabolic changes long before significant weight loss ever occurred. We explore incretin hormones, vagus nerve signaling, and why appetite, blood sugar, and inflammation are part of a much larger hormonal ecosystem.
We also dive into the often-missed pieces of the GLP-1 conversation, including digestion, detoxification during fat loss, protein quality, and why offboarding plans matter as much as starting doses if you want long-term success without burnout or regain.
Ashley Koff is a registered dietitian nutritionist and founder of The Better Nutrition Program. She has over two decades of experience supporting patients in bariatric care, metabolic health, and digestive optimization. She is the author of Your Best Shot, a practical guide to understanding weight health through a systems-based approach.
What We Discuss:
 
(00:00) Why Weight Loss Fails When Hormones Are Ignored
(05:42) What Bariatric Surgery Revealed About Metabolism
(11:18) Incretin Hormones and Why GLP-1 Is Only One Piece
(18:06) The Cost of Keeping Metabolic Signals Turned On
(26:14) Fatigue on GLP-1s Is Not Just About Calories
(34:22) What Happens When Fat Loss Releases Toxins
(44:10) Why Coming Off GLP-1s Too Fast Leads to Regain
(55:03) The Biggest Nutrition Mistakes During GLP-1 Therapy
 
Thank You to Our Sponsors:
Timeline: Go to timeline.com/drshah to get 20% off your order.
 
Learn more about Dr. Shah:
Website: https://www.drshah.com/
Clinic: https://www.next-health.com/
Instagram:@darshanshahmd
 
Learn more about Ashley Koff:
Instagram: @ashleykoffapproved
Website: www.thebetternutritionprogram.com
Book: Your Best Shot

How much control do you actually have over the toxins in your daily environment? Most people assume chemical exposure is unavoidable, but the science shows there are practical steps that can significantly reduce your toxic load. In this solo episode, we break down why environmental detoxification is a key strategy for protecting your long-term health and longevity.
We walk you through the main sources of exposure, from household cleaners and cookware to synthetic fragrances and clothing materials. We explore how these toxins affect your hormones, immune system, and metabolism, and why resilience, genetics, and consistent habits determine how your body responds over time. We also share simple, actionable swaps and strategies that can be implemented gradually without overwhelming your daily life.
This episode gives clear, actionable guidance for anyone who wants to reduce chemical exposure, support metabolic and hormonal health, and create a healthier living environment. Even small, consistent changes over weeks and months can have a major impact on overall wellbeing.



What We Discuss:
(00:00) Introduction: Why Environmental Toxins Matter for Health
(01:50) How Chemicals Affect Hormones, Immunity, and Resilience
(05:18) Common Household Sources: Pesticides, Cleaners, Fragrances, and Laundry Products
(09:08) Kitchen and Food Storage: Plastics, Cookware, and Safe Alternatives
(11:07) Home Environment: Shoes, Air Quality, Mattresses, and Furniture
(14:28) Personal Care, Clothing, and Nighttime Exposure
(16:27) Gradual Detox Strategies and Free Resources
(18:20) Key Takeaways and Closing Thoughts
 
Thank You to Our Sponsors:
IM8: Try IM8 today with a 30-day money back guarantee. You can get 10% 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:@darshanshahmd

Toxin exposure rarely announces itself loudly, yet it quietly shapes hormone balance, immune resilience, mood, and neurological health long before a diagnosis appears. The real tension lies in the fact that these exposures are largely invisible, normalized, and happening inside the very spaces meant to keep us safe.
We dive deeper into this in the Extend podcast with Allison Evans. We also chat about the "toxic bucket" concept, why synthetic fragrance and harsh disinfectants can act as endocrine disruptors and neurotoxins, how asthma, fertility challenges, and chronic symptoms can be triggered by everyday products, and where to start removing toxic load without fear or overwhelm.
Allison Evans is the co-founder of Branch Basics, a household and personal care brand focused on reducing everyday chemical exposure. She is an entrepreneur and health educator with a background in environmental and dietary health. Branch Basics products are sold online and at Target nationwide.
Branch Basics: Use code DRSHAH20 at branchbasics.com to get 20% off from a selected list of products, including Ultimate Starter Kit, Premium Starter Kit, Cleaning Essentials Kit, Laundry Kit, Gel Hand Soap, Laundry Detergent. The offer is valid for first time buyers only through January 13, 2025.
What We Discuss:

(03:55) Why Toxin Exposure Is the Invisible Fourth Pillar of Health
(05:10) How Everyday Symptoms Act as Early Warning Signals
(17:45) The Toxic Bucket and Why Some Bodies Spill Over Faster
(23:40) How Synthetic Fragrance Disrupts Hormones, Metabolism, and the Brain
(29:50) Why Asthma and Anxiety Can Be Triggered by Household Chemicals
(31:30) How Cleaning Products Can Make Indoor Air More Toxic Than Outdoors
(38:45) Why Removing Toxins at Home Beats Expensive Biohacking
(50:35) Why Laundry Detergent Is a Constant Source of Chemical Exposure
(52:45) How Plastic Food Storage Disrupts Hormones and Metabolism
(54:05) Why Fear Around Toxins Can Be More Harmful Than the Exposure
 
Thank You for Our Sponsors:
IM8: Try IM8 today with a 30-day money back guarantee. You can get 10% off your first order with code DRSHAH at https://im8health.com/discount/DRSHAH.
Vitaboom: For supplements you can trust and wellness solutions tailored to your health, visit https://vitaboom.com/
 
Learn more about Dr. Shah:
Website: https://www.drshah.com/
Clinic: https://www.next-health.com/
Instagram:@darshanshahmd
 
Learn more about Allison Evans:
Instagram: @branchbasics
Website: www.branchbasics.com