Reversing Chronic Disease: Food, Stress, Autoimmunity & the Ozempic Debate- Dr Chidi
Thu Feb 05 2026
Dr. Chidy joins The Gavin Sisters Wellness Show to unpack what it really takes to reverse chronic disease using meals, movement, and mindset. The conversation covers autoimmune conditions and the "root cause" concept (including leaky gut and immune triggers), why vitamin D is a non-negotiable (especially in darker climates), and what Dr. Chiddy sees as the most sustainable path to healing: a whole-food, plant-based lifestyle.
They also tackle controversial topics like carnivore/keto claims, why some people feel better short-term on restrictive plans, and why Dr. Chidy believes Ozempic/Wegovy come with risks that aren't being taken seriously. The biggest thread running through the episode: hope isn't fluffy—it's practical, and the body can change when inputs change.
What You'll Learn The 3-part framework Dr. Chiddy uses to find the root cause: meals, movement, mindset
Why autoimmune disease often links back to gut permeability ("leaky gut") and immune cross-reactions
The top common triggers Dr. Chiddy removes first: dairy, refined sugar, meat (and sometimes wheat)
Why vitamin D matters for immune balance—especially in northern climates
Dr. Chiddy's approach to reversing type 2 diabetes (including why beans aren't the enemy)
Why plant-based eating is the only approach he's seen that stays holistic across the whole body
The role of stress, forgiveness, and self-compassion in healing chronic illness
Why "quick fixes" can rob you of the growth and healing journey
Dr. Chiddy's concerns about Ozempic/Wegovy and the bigger picture of the obesity crisis
00:00 – Quick intro + life update
04:40 – Meet Dr. Chidy: lifestyle medicine, plant-based living, reversing disease
07:30 – Dr. Chiddy's origin story: from Kellogg-inspired curiosity to medicine and beyond
11:40 – Autoimmune root causes explained: leaky gut, antibodies, and cross-reactivity
15:50 – What to remove first (dairy/sugar/meat) + why vitamin D is a game-changer
19:30 – Stress and autoimmune flares: fight-or-flight, healing environments, nervous system load
25:10 – "Forgiveness and love" as a real health practice (not just a nice idea)
30:10 – Why plant-based wins long-term (and what carnivore/keto gets wrong)
36:20 – Fasting and time-restricted eating: what Dr. Chiddy agrees almost everyone benefits from
41:40 – Diabetes reversal: "beans, greens, vegetables" and what happens in 2–4 weeks
49:30 – Obesity crisis: why fat + sugar hijacks the brain (comfort eating + addiction)
54:00 – Ozempic/Wegovy: side effects, long-term risk, and why lifestyle still matters
01:00:40 – How to work with Dr. Chiddy + what he personally supplements with
01:04:00 – Upcoming projects: Life Colours app + book series on reversing disease
Dr. Chiddy: drchidi.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/drchidimd/
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www.gavinsisters.co.uk
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Facebook: @TheDetoxBarn
You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/@GavinGavin
This episode is sponsored by Funki Coffee. For 10% off use the code podcast on checkout
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Dr. Chidy joins The Gavin Sisters Wellness Show to unpack what it really takes to reverse chronic disease using meals, movement, and mindset. The conversation covers autoimmune conditions and the "root cause" concept (including leaky gut and immune triggers), why vitamin D is a non-negotiable (especially in darker climates), and what Dr. Chiddy sees as the most sustainable path to healing: a whole-food, plant-based lifestyle. They also tackle controversial topics like carnivore/keto claims, why some people feel better short-term on restrictive plans, and why Dr. Chidy believes Ozempic/Wegovy come with risks that aren't being taken seriously. The biggest thread running through the episode: hope isn't fluffy—it's practical, and the body can change when inputs change. What You'll Learn The 3-part framework Dr. Chiddy uses to find the root cause: meals, movement, mindset Why autoimmune disease often links back to gut permeability ("leaky gut") and immune cross-reactions The top common triggers Dr. Chiddy removes first: dairy, refined sugar, meat (and sometimes wheat) Why vitamin D matters for immune balance—especially in northern climates Dr. Chiddy's approach to reversing type 2 diabetes (including why beans aren't the enemy) Why plant-based eating is the only approach he's seen that stays holistic across the whole body The role of stress, forgiveness, and self-compassion in healing chronic illness Why "quick fixes" can rob you of the growth and healing journey Dr. Chiddy's concerns about Ozempic/Wegovy and the bigger picture of the obesity crisis 00:00 – Quick intro + life update 04:40 – Meet Dr. Chidy: lifestyle medicine, plant-based living, reversing disease 07:30 – Dr. Chiddy's origin story: from Kellogg-inspired curiosity to medicine and beyond 11:40 – Autoimmune root causes explained: leaky gut, antibodies, and cross-reactivity 15:50 – What to remove first (dairy/sugar/meat) + why vitamin D is a game-changer 19:30 – Stress and autoimmune flares: fight-or-flight, healing environments, nervous system load 25:10 – "Forgiveness and love" as a real health practice (not just a nice idea) 30:10 – Why plant-based wins long-term (and what carnivore/keto gets wrong) 36:20 – Fasting and time-restricted eating: what Dr. Chiddy agrees almost everyone benefits from 41:40 – Diabetes reversal: "beans, greens, vegetables" and what happens in 2–4 weeks 49:30 – Obesity crisis: why fat + sugar hijacks the brain (comfort eating + addiction) 54:00 – Ozempic/Wegovy: side effects, long-term risk, and why lifestyle still matters 01:00:40 – How to work with Dr. Chiddy + what he personally supplements with 01:04:00 – Upcoming projects: Life Colours app + book series on reversing disease Dr. Chiddy: drchidi.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/drchidimd/ Remember to hit SUBSCRIBE or FOLLOW so you don't miss any new episodes. Would love you to review us, even a line really helps. Follow us on the links below for more: www.gavinsisters.co.uk Tiktok @gavinsisters Insta: @gavinsistersuk Facebook: @TheDetoxBarn You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/@GavinGavin This episode is sponsored by Funki Coffee. For 10% off use the code podcast on checkout