Sugar, Skin & the Science of Living Longer

Sugar addictive as Cocaine, it’s sweet, seductive, and hiding in more of your food than you think.  80% of the products in your grocery store's interior aisles have added sugar, and most of us are eating nearly double what the World Health Organization recommends. Family physician Dr. Tasha Bienert joins host Linda Freeman to break down why sugar hits the same brain receptors as cocaine, what really happens in your body when you overdo it, and the simple swaps that make cutting back actually stick. Then: is your red light mask a $200 miracle or an expensive placebo? We dig into the NASA origins of LED therapy, what the dermatology journals actually say, and why influencer promises don't always hold up. Plus the $5.6 trillion wellness industry is racing to help you live longer. We look at biohacking, the habits with real science behind them, and the ones still catching up.  And in a story that hits close to home, lifestyle medicine physician Dr. Jennie Ding shares how she, a healthy, active woman in her 30s with zero family history - was blindsided by a prediabetes diagnosis. Finally, therapist Claire Maisonneuve on why nootropics and focus supplements can't do the deeper work your nervous system actually needs. In this episode: The truth about sugar addiction, and how to break the cycle Do LED masks actually work? A dermatologist's honest take Inside the booming (and pricey) business of longevity One doctor's surprise prediabetes diagnosis Why calming your nervous system is better than just supplements About the Host Linda Freeman is a media professional who has been immersed in lifestyle programming for several decades.  She has interviewed thousands of health and wellness professionals over the years gathering insight and perspective on how to live better.   Life experiences have shown her to appreciate the world around her. As a certified yoga instructor, she loves to help others find stronger mental and physical well-being. About Guests Dr. Tasha Biener (https://harrisonhealthcare.ca/team/dr...) t is a dedicated family physician who believes preventive healthcare is the cornerstone of excellent primary care.She completed her Medical Degree and graduated as elected Chief Resident in Family Medicine at the University of Calgary, following a Bachelor of Science in Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology, a Bachelor of Education, and a Master of Arts focused on computerization in education. and earned a Diploma of Dermatology from the University of Cardiff in 2018.  Dr. Jennie Ding (https://www.kalehealth.ca/about) is a Canadian physician who works in three provinces and territories. She is passionate about empowering others to live their best lives. Growing up in China with her grandparents, Dr. Ding was deeply influenced by traditional Chinese medicine philosophies of holistic health care and disease prevention. Claire Massioneuv (https://anxietyandstressrelief.com/cl...) e, is a clinical counsellor and for more than 30 years, has explored, experimented with, and integrated a wide range of therapeutic, spiritual, and experiential practices in her search to overcome anxiety and cultivate inner peace. She has helped thousands of individuals and couples, developed a long‑running 8‑week Anxiety & Stress Relief Program, and draws on advanced Cognitive Behaviour Therapy. Credits Hosted, Produced and Written Linda Freeman (Rourke) Showrunner and Writer: Kat Cullen Sound Engineer/Producer: John Masecar Executive Producer: Jennifer Smith Production Support - Eric Champman Video Producer - Jordan Wong References The Secrets of Sugar (   • The Secrets of Sugar - the fifth estate  ) Cleveland Clinic - Too Much Sugar (health.clevelandclinic.org/can-you-get-diabetes-from-eating-too-much-sugar) BBC News - Biohacking (   • Biohacking: where fad meets finance? | BBC...  ) ABC News - Bryan Johnson (abcnews.com/video/105053521) Global News - Longevity Clinics (globalrph.com/2026/03/longevity-clinics-evidence-based-medicine-or-cash-pay-experimentation) Instagram FD Masks (  / darw-5fbceo  ) Instagram LED Scam (   • ad Are LED Masks a Scam?! The Truth No One...  ) Instagram - which mask (   • ad Are LED Masks a Scam?! The Truth No One...  ) CNBC (https://www.cnbc.com/2024/02/29/red-l...) Controlled Infra Red Study (pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3926176/) Mayo Clinic LED (pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3926176/) www.dermatologytimes.com/view/social-media-mythbusters-at-home-red-light-and-led-therapy-devices (https://www.dermatologytimes.com/view...) BBC LED ad ban (https://www.cnbc.com/2024/02/29/red-l...) #Sugar  #SugarCravings #Biohacking #LEDMasks #Nootropics #MentalHealth