Belly Fat, Metabolism & The Real Cause of Weight Gain | Dr. Ashley Lucas
Is weight gain really not your fault?
This episode may just change everything you thought you knew about losing weight.
In this episode, Dr. Josh Axe sits down with Dr. Ashley Lucas, PhD, RD, and founder of PHD Weight Loss, to uncover why so many weight loss efforts fail—and what truly works. From hormones and metabolism to emotional triggers, discover the deeper story behind stubborn weight gain.
How cortisol, insulin, and belly fat sabotage weight loss.
Why calorie counting and over-exercising often backfire.
How to heal a “damaged” metabolism.
The hidden emotional and behavioral roots of weight gain.
The real risks of GLP-1 drugs—and smarter alternatives.
Listen now to reframe your weight journey and walk away with real, lasting strategies for change.
#metabolism #weightloss #draxe
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Staying healthy in today's world is an upstream battle. Subscribe to Wellness Weekly, your 5-minute dose of sound health advice to help you grow physically, mentally, and spiritually.
Every Wednesday, you'll get:
Holistic health news & life-hacks from a biblical world view
Powerful free resources including classes, Q&As, and guides from Dr. Axe
The latest episodes of The Dr. Josh Axe Show
Submit your questions via voice memo to be featured on the show → speakpipe.com/drjoshaxe
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51:53
The Cellular ‘Danger Mode’ Keeping You Sick (And How to Escape It)
What if your fatigue, brain fog, or chronic symptoms aren’t a malfunction—but a misunderstood survival mechanism?
In this episode, you'll learn...
What the Cell Danger Response is and why it's triggered by infection, trauma, or toxins.
Why your body might be stuck in survival mode—and how that explains persistent fatigue, pain, or brain fog.
How mitochondria signal danger and what it means when ATP becomes an alarm.
The three phases of CDR: Defense, Repair, and Reintegration—and what it takes to move forward.
How healing involves safety, not force: through trauma work, detox, red light therapy, and mitochondrial support.
A hopeful framework for chronic illness that connects the dots between autoimmune disease, long COVID, autism, and more
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0:00 Introduction
1:15 Cell Danger Response
2:48 ATP Release Issues
5:38 Phase 1: Danger Detection
8:07 Phase 2: Cell Defense
9:10 Phase 3: Recovery & Healing
9:55 Job of Mitochondria
11:10 Biggest Symptoms of CDR
13:10 Common Conditions Linked to CDR
16:52 Bloodwork Ad
18:12 Steps to Healing from CDR
35:10 Outro
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Want more of The Dr. Josh Axe Show? Subscribe to the YouTube channel.
Follow Dr. Josh Axe
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------
Staying healthy in today's world is an upstream battle. Subscribe to Wellness Weekly, your 5-minute dose of sound health advice to help you grow physically, mentally, and spiritually.
Every Wednesday, you'll get:
Holistic health news & life-hacks from a biblical world view
Powerful free resources including classes, Q&As, and guides from Dr. Axe
The latest episodes of The Dr. Josh Axe Show
Submit your questions via voice memo to be featured on the show → speakpipe.com/drjoshaxe
Links:
https://aonm.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Cell-Danger-Response-IHCAN.pdf
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u028TAyB9S4
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10427836/
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6627909/
https://tacanow.org/family-resources/medical-article-common-medical-issues/the-cell-danger-response-in-autism/
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1567724919302922
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1567724918301053
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1567724913002390
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0028390815002129
https://watermark.silverchair.com/gkv1003.pdf
https://www.cell.com/cell-metabolism/fulltext/S1550-4131(17)30428-X
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0022356524183231
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1567724918301053
https://www.pnas.org/doi/abs/10.1073/pnas.1607571113
https://www.mdpi.com/2079-7737/8/2/27
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11336094/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39495479/
https://advancedbrain.com/blog/the-listening-program-safe-signal-cell-danger-response/
https://ncintegrative.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Cell-Danger-Response-KING.pdf
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41433-024-03091-4
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7735836/
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7963035/
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5859128/
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4988248/
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Ads: Even if your bloodwork looks "normal," your symptoms could point to Cell Danger Response (CDR). Discover how to break free from CDR and unlock your full potential at https://beyondbloodwork.com/
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35:48
Johnson & Johnson – The Biggest Medical Conspiracy in U.S. History
Is one of the most “trusted” names in healthcare responsible for millions of deaths? This explosive interview may change everything you thought you knew about the medical system.
In this eye-opening episode of The Dr. Josh Axe Show, Dr. Axe sits down with Pulitzer-nominated investigative journalist and former New York Times correspondent Gardiner Harris to expose the dark underbelly of Big Pharma—specifically the disturbing history of Johnson & Johnson.
Gardiner, who has reported from the White House and covered the pharmaceutical industry for decades, joins the show to discuss revelations from his groundbreaking new book No More Tears. Drawing from sealed court documents, grand jury transcripts, and firsthand reporting, he reveals how corporate greed, government collusion, and media silence have fueled some of the deadliest medical conspiracies in American history.
In this episode, you'll discover:
Why Johnson & Johnson may be responsible for up to 2 million deaths—and how it was covered up.
How Risperdal was marketed illegally to elderly patients, despite deadly side effects.
Shocking misuse of EPO in cancer patients and the hidden studies that exposed it.
The FDA’s role in enabling decades of pharmaceutical harm.
How Tylenol became one of the most dangerous over-the-counter drugs in America.
Why many “late onset schizophrenia” diagnoses in nursing homes are completely fabricated.
The frightening financial ties between drug companies, academic institutions, and your doctor.
Don’t miss this powerful conversation that could change how you view medicine, media, and the modern healthcare system. Whether you’ve suspected something was off or you're just beginning to question the mainstream narrative, this episode will arm you with truth—and hope.
Watch now to uncover how to protect your health, your family, and your future.
#johnsonandjohnson #healthcare #draxe
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0:00 Introduction
5:15 Corruption in American Healthcare
16:27 The Use of Antipsychotics for Nursing Home Patients
20:44 EPO for Cancer Patients
28:08 Medical Industry as Goliath
37:50 Medical Advisory Committee: FDA
42:00 Acetaminophen Side Effects
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Want more of The Dr. Josh Axe Show? Subscribe to the YouTube channel.
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Follow Gardiner Harris
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Staying healthy in today's world is an upstream battle. Subscribe to Wellness Weekly, your 5-minute dose of sound health advice to help you grow physically, mentally, and spiritually.
Every Wednesday, you'll get:
Holistic health news & life-hacks from a biblical world view
Powerful free resources including classes, Q&As, and guides from Dr. Axe
The latest episodes of The Dr. Josh Axe Show
Submit your questions via voice memo to be featured on the show → speakpipe.com/drjoshaxe
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Links:
Check out Gardiner Harris’ new book, NO MORE TEARS: The Dark Secrets of Johnson & Johnson → https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/216247552-no-more-tears
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56:46
How to Manage Menopause Symptoms & Balance Hormones Naturally
By 2030, over 1.2 billion women will be in menopause, yet most were never taught what to expect. In this episode, Dr. Josh Axe shares how to manage symptoms naturally, feel empowered, and reclaim your health through this life-changing transition.
In this episode, you’ll discover:
The top 10 symptoms and what’s really causing them
Simple diet and lifestyle shifts to reduce hot flashes, mood swings, and weight gain
The best herbs and supplements for symptom relief
Top triggers that make symptoms worse and how to avoid them
Pros and cons of hormone replacement therapy
You’ll leave this episode with practical tools, deeper insight, and natural strategies to take control of your hormones, energy, and health—starting today.
We’ve created a full blog post that walks through the main points and insights from this episode. If you'd like to dive deeper or revisit the information later, this is a helpful resource to keep on hand. Read it here → https://thehealthinstitute.com/2025/05/16/the-natural-womans-guide-to-menopause-from-hot-flashes-to-hormone-harmony/
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Staying healthy in today's world is an upstream battle. Subscribe to Wellness Weekly, your 5-minute dose of sound health advice to help you grow physically, mentally, and spiritually.
Every Wednesday, you'll get:
Holistic health news & life-hacks from a biblical world view
Powerful free resources including classes, Q&As, and guides from Dr. Axe
The latest episodes of The Dr. Josh Axe Show
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Links:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10780928/
https://healthmatters.nyp.org/how-to-prevent-menopause-weight-gain/
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9258798/
https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-024-19280-5
https://www.evernow.com/menopause-study?srsltid=AfmBOooQmZQD8p3CTJzICs9zTTlSZ2d_GrKcOg1JTryTFEyJo9VMGsCI
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/introduction-to-menopause
https://swhr.org/health_focus_area/menopause/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK285446/
https://www.statista.com/statistics/1450588/menopause-symptoms-us-women/
https://www.uscjournal.com/articles/menopause-cholesterol-and-cardiovascular-disease-0?language_content_entity=en
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/2110996
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menopause/symptoms-causes/syc-20353397
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21608-perimenopause
https://journals.lww.com/menopausejournal/abstract/2007/14040/chilliness__a_vasomotor_symptom_in_japan.22.aspx
https://www.theguardian.com/society/article/2024/jul/21/women-dealing-with-menopause-preparation-planning-australia
https://acupuncturehealthcalgary.com/the-second-spring-menopause-in-chinese-medicine/
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(23)02799-X/fulltext?
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35983178/
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11920-023-01447-3
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10074318/
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21608-perimenopause
https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/26/24/7421
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38934532/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38725785/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25423327/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37378077/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36641259/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36746877/
https://www.uclahealth.org/sites/default/files/documents/cf/menopause-understanding-mediterranean-diet.pdf
https://womensmentalhealth.org/posts/mediterranean-diet-benefits-perimenopausal-women-with-hot-flashes/
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Ads:
Get 15% off your first order with the code AXE at oneskin.co/AXE.
Even if your bloodwork looks "normal," your symptoms could point to Cell Danger Response (CDR). Discover how to break free from CDR and unlock your full potential at https://beyondbloodwork.com/.
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48:32
Why Marriages Fail Every 42 Seconds | Gabe & Rebekah Lyons
Is Your Marriage Built to Last—or Just Built to Make You Happy?
Nearly half of all marriages end in divorce, but yours doesn’t have to.
In this powerful episode of The Dr. Josh Axe Show, Dr. Axe sits down with bestselling authors and marriage advocates Gabe and Rebekah Lyons to unpack what makes a marriage truly thrive. Drawing from 28 years together and their new book The Fight for Us, they share real talk on conflict, connection, covenant, and how your relationship impacts your physical, emotional, and spiritual health.
In this episode, you'll learn:
The 4 most common conflict patterns—and how to break them
How emotional tone triggers stress, inflammation, and disconnection
Why cohabitation before marriage may be sabotaging your future
The real reason Christian marriages are meant to reflect covenant, not contract
How to reignite intimacy, purpose, and peace—starting this week
If you’re ready for honest, biblical, and science-backed wisdom to strengthen your marriage, this conversation will change the way you think about love and commitment.
Watch now and walk away with tools to build a marriage that lasts—and heals.
#marriage #relationships #draxe
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Want more of The Dr. Josh Axe Show? Subscribe to the YouTube channel.
Follow Dr. Josh Axe
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Follow Rebekah Lyons
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Facebook
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Follow Gabe Lyons
Instagram
Website
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Staying healthy in today's world is an upstream battle. Subscribe to Wellness Weekly, your 5-minute dose of sound health advice to help you grow physically, mentally, and spiritually.
Every Wednesday, you'll get:
Holistic health news & life-hacks from a biblical world view
Powerful free resources including classes, Q&As, and guides from Dr. Axe
The latest episodes of The Dr. Josh Axe Show
Submit your questions via voice memo to be featured on the show → speakpipe.com/drjoshaxe
------
Links:
Check out Gabe & Rebekah’s latest book, The Fight For Us → https://www.rebekahlyons.com/fight-for-us-marriage-gabe-rebekah-lyons
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Ads: Even if your bloodwork looks "normal," your symptoms could point to Cell Danger Response (CDR). Discover how to break free from CDR and unlock your full potential at https://beyondbloodwork.com/.
Join Dr. Josh Axe, founder of draxe.com, Ancient Nutrition, and The Health Institute, as he explores the intersections of natural health, personal growth, and psychology. Each episode dives into the latest in natural medicine, nutrition, emotional resilience, and spiritual growth, alongside strategies for mindset, and living a purpose-driven life. With expert insights, practical advice, and inspiring stories, Dr. Axe empowers listeners to elevate their health and maximize their potential in every aspect of life.